“After a lot of hard work, I get the pleasure of enjoying every day within practice doing what I love most!” – Lucy Cullen
Lucy Cullen qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2024 via our VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Here, Lucy shares some of her experiences on the course.
After working within my current practice for approximately 18 months, I was offered a position as a Student Veterinary Nurse, with education taking place at The College of Animal Welfare’s Leeds Centre.
Throughout the duration of this course, I have received the upmost support from the College of Animal Welfare, particularly the staff located at the Leeds and Wigan centres. Although much of my education took place online because of Covid-19, I was continuously made to feel like a valid and individual student who received an outstanding education. However, when it was safe and possible, in-person lessons did take place which were always made fun yet educational.
Throughout the duration of my studies, I was able to develop and maintain good student / teacher relationships with my tutors, as well as creating everlasting friendships with my fellow students.
In addition to my online and in-person learning sessions, I was also provided with one-on-one tutor meetings. These learner support meetings were held at regular intervals throughout the duration of my learning journey. Within these meetings, I was able to discuss my achievements within practice and academically, in addition to highlighting areas I needed to make improvements. Throughout these meetings I was always met with the highest level of support from my tutor, they provided informative learning support materials as well as offering moral support when dreaded examinations were looming. During this session I was also able to discuss any concerns I had regarding my learning or time within my training practice. Although nothing more serious than lacking cups of tea and cake within the practice was ever needed to be discussed!
As a result of these one-on-one sessions, I was made to feel like a valid and heard individual student, not just a number. I would like to make a personal thank you to all my previous tutors who have helped me throughout my studies. Without their dedicated support, I would not have successfully qualified as a Veterinary Nurse.
At this current moment in time, I am working alongside my much-loved colleagues as a qualified Veterinary Nurse, at my once training practice. I plan on continuing my professional development striving to be the best veterinary nurse I can, whilst delivering the best possible care to my patients on a daily basis. I have developed a keen interest in anesthesia, I plan on further developing my skill set within this area in the future.
For any individual thinking about enrolling onto this course, my advice is to be prepared for an emotional roller coaster. This course is not for the faint hearted, it requires a lot of hard work, time and dedication. However, I am a firm believer in ‘Nothing worth having comes easy’ (Theodore Roosevelt) and after a lot of hard work, I get the pleasure of enjoying every day within practice doing what I love most!