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Student Veterinary Nursing Congress

Thursday 23 January 2025

Virtual Event, 9.30am-4.30pm

About Agenda Speakers Prices

What is Student Veterinary Nursing Congress?

Student Veterinary Nursing Congress is a free, one day virtual event that is specifically designed for veterinary nursing students, exploring everything from wellbeing to professional practice.

Who should attend?

This event is free of charge and is open to anyone currently studying Veterinary Nursing on a diploma, degree or apprenticeship programme, including students currently training with other providers. This congress will be particularly useful if you're a student who is:

  • Looking to gain more confidence in your role in practice
  • Interested in boosting your study skills
  • Revising in preparation for your OSCEs
  • Looking to further develop your nursing skills and knowledge
  • Interested in learning more about your career progression opportunities post-qualification
  • Interested in keeping up-to-date with everything happening in the industry

Please note, this event has limited capacity and tickets are available on a first come first served basis.

Why attend?

  • Listen to lectures from a range of speakers who will be sharing their experiences and knowledge
  • Q&A sessions mean your questions will be answered by the speakers themselves
  • Gain practical takeaways that you can implement in your role
  • Gain online access to recordings of all the lectures and lectures from previous congresses up until the next event
Download the agenda (PDF)

Online Registration

Chair's Welcome

Introduction from Andrea Jeffery

Andrea Jeffery Ed.D, MSc, FHEA, DipAVN (Surg), Cert.Ed, RVN, VetSkill

Anaesthesia Monitoring with a Capnography Spotlight

Courtney Scales DipVN, NCert(Anaesth), PgCertVAA, RVN, Veterinary Anursethesia

Minimal respiratory information is obtained by monitoring the patient's thoracic movements and the reservoir bag on the breathing system during anaesthesia. Capnography provides more accurate information about the efficiency of ventilation.

Capnography measures the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the expiratory breath and provides real-time information about the adequacy of ventilation in a quick and non-invasive way. A numerical reading is provided in addition to the waveform.

Capnography can also provide information on the patient's circulatory system and metabolic rate, in addition to monitoring the respiratory system. Lastly, it can be used to identify any malfunction in the breathing system and assist in regulating the fresh gas flow in non-rebreathing (NRB) systems.

This presentation will teach you how to identify different types of capnography traces and what they mean for your patients’ anaesthesia.

Rabbits - Getting the Bloods Out and the Meds In

Jo Megarity RVN, LagoLearn

This talk will discuss 2 main topics: Blood sampling and common medications, including analgesia.

Placing IV cannulas and taking blood samples can be a daunting thought but these top tips including sample sites, local anaesthesia and general stress reduction will help.

Analgesia is vital and we will cover a range of different types to enable you to understand the important pharmacokinetics of each and allow you to take a polypharmacy approach to your treatment plans.

Other common medications such as antibiotics and prokinetics will be delved in to as we look at their potential indications and administration routes.

Live Q&A Panel

Present questions (anonymously if desired) to the speakers.

Morning Break and Exhibitor Promos

Referral nursing 101: Tools and Techniques for Student Nurses

Heather Simcock FdSc NCert(MedNsg) RVN, The Ralph

This presentation will be looking at exactly what referral nursing is, along with the routes into it. We will be looking at internships and post registartion programmes - what they are and how they run. We wil also cover:

  • Considerations and advice for referral nursing
  • Top Tips for referral nursing
  • Future opportunities within referral nursing

Live Q&A Panel

Present questions (anonymously if desired) to the speakers.

Lunch break, Exhibitor Promos and Expo Booths

Evidence Based Veterinary Nursing

Nikki Ruedisueli PgDip VetEd, FHEA, PGCHE, RVN, British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA)

What do we mean by evidence-based veterinary nursing and how can we ensure we use it in our daily practice? During this session we will explore how you can add to the evidence base using your experience in practice and your research training. Let’s look at how we can get you published!

The importance of self-care during OSCE preparations

Charlotte Pace BA (Hons) RVN VTS (Cardiology-IM) PG Cert (Vet Ed) FHEA MBACP, Charlotte Pace Counselling

This presentation will cover the following key learning points:

  • Recognition of the stress OSCEs place on student nurses
  • Understand the importance of self-care whilst preparing for OSCEs
  • Discuss ways to minimise stress and create a calm environment
  • Be able to implement practical steps to help with OSCE preparation, including the day of the exam.

Live Q&A Panel

Present questions (anonymously if desired) to the speakers.

Chair's Close

Closing Recap

Barbara Cooper CertEd LicIPD DTM Hon AssocRCVS RVN, The College of Animal Welfare

Event Close

Please note this programme is subject to change.

Andrea JefferyAndrea Jeffery Ed.D, MSc, FHEA, DipAVN (Surg), Cert.Ed, RVN
VetSkill

Andrea currently works for two awarding organisations. She recently stepped down as Chief Nursing Officer for a veterinary major employer group, the first person to hold such a role at board level in the UK. Prior to this Andrea was programme director for veterinary nursing at Bristol Veterinary School. In 2024 Andrea was awarded the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Golden Jubilee Award. Andrea has spoken nationally and internationally with Hilary Orpet on the holistic approach to patient care through the Orpet and Jeffery Ability Model. She has several publications related to this along with regulation, professional practice and One Health.

Charlotte PaceCharlotte Pace BA (Hons) RVN VTS (Cardiology-IM) PG Cert (Vet Ed) FHEA MBACP
Charlotte Pace Counselling

Charlotte Pace qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2003. In 2010 she passed the American Veterinary Technician exams and became the first nurse to hold the Cardiology qualification outside the US. She has recertified her qualification twice.

Charlotte has taught veterinary nurses on degree and diploma programmes. She also continues to write and lecture on veterinary cardiology and is a member of the editorial board for the Veterinary Nurse, a position she has held since 2012.

Currently, Charlotte works in 1st opinion practice and she has also recently qualified as a therapeutic counsellor. Charlotte was BVNA President in 2022-23 and her book, ‘Practical Cardiology for Veterinary Nurses’ is out now.

Courtney ScalesCourtney Scales DipVN, NCert(Anaesth), PgCertVAA, RVN
Veterinary Anursethesia

Courtney is originally from New Zealand where she trained and qualified. She has been working as a veterinary nurse since 2007 and after working in several small animal clinics in New Zealand, an anaesthesia passion took her to a large referral hospital in Australia.

In 2016, Courtney made the move to the UK where she most recently worked as an Anaesthesia Registered Veterinary Nurse at the Royal Veterinary College and also as a Clinical Educator in Anaesthesia for a leading veterinary equipment manufacturer and supplier. She now works for Davies Veterinary Specialists.

Throughout her studies and career, she started Veterinary Anursethesia on various social media platforms to share anaesthesia tips with the veterinary community. She has written several journal articles and textbook chapters, and enjoys speaking about the practical side of anaesthesia monitoring – in practice, at CPD events and national congresses.

Heather SimcockHeather Simcock FdSc NCert(MedNsg) RVN
The Ralph

Heather graduated with a foundation degree in Veterinary Nursing in 2018. She worked for two years at a small animal hospital before joining The Ralph in 2020 as a rotating nurse intern.

Heather found her passion for internal medicine and became an internal medicine nurse in 2021.

Since then, she has continued to grow her passion for medicine by furthering qualifications in a medical nursing certificate. Heather has also spoken for The Ralph, delivering medical nursing CPD presentations.

Jo MegarityJo Megarity RVN
LagoLearn

Jo Megarity has worked in the veterinary industry since 2007 and has always had a special interest in rabbits. She owns LagoLearn, which provides rabbit specific CPD to veterinary professionals in the UK and Internationally.

Jo spends a significant amount of voluntary time highlighting animal welfare, is the Secretary of the AZEVN and is proud to have been the President of the BVNA in 2019/2020.

Nicola RuedisueliNikki Ruedisueli PgDip VetEd, FHEA, PGCHE, RVN
British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA)

Nikki Ruedisueli is an RVN with a varied career in first opinion and referral practice. She has had several roles with Mars UK which range from sales, working as a VN at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition and also a trainer.

Nikki moved from Mars to become the Course Leader for the FdSc VN programme at Nottingham Trent University and finally as the Editor for the VNJ with BVNA. She also still works at a local veterinary hospital as an RVN on a weekend rota.

She has a particular interest in wound management and geriatric patient care.

CAW Business School

CAW Business School was set up in 2012 to offer business related qualifications. CAW Business School offers a number of highly recognised qualifications including the opportunity to study AAT Accounting, Business Administration, Customer Service, TAQA and ILM leadership and management, and coaching and mentoring courses.

Hills Pet NutritionHill's Pet Nutrition

Our mission: To help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. We believe all animals should be loved and cared for during their lifetimes. That's why we're proud our pet foods can make a difference in pets’ lives. We make this pledge to you about our commitment to the welfare of animals everywhere. We only use compassionate, non-invasive methods necessary to develop nutritional technology so dogs and cats around the world live long, healthy lives. Hill’s is committed to sustainability in many forms. This commitment extends beyond pets and includes People, Performance, and Planet.

Millpledge Veterinary LogoMillpledge Veterinary

Millpledge Veterinary has been manufacturing innovative products designed specifically for the veterinary professional for over 30 years.

Ranging from Pharmaceuticals to Nutraceuticals, Bandaging and Fluid Therapy, encompassing products for companion and large animal use. Providing complete peace of mind for the veterinary profession.

Popular products include Rapz Eazy Tear® Cohesive Bandages, Eaze-Off® Tape and Bandage Removal Spray, Tom Tiddle™ Urinary Cat Catheters, Millpack™ Sterilisation Pouches with built-in sterility test strips, Aniset™ IV Sets for small and large animals, and V-GEL® advanced species-specific supraglottic airway devices for Rabbits, Cats, and Dogs.

Visit our website at www.millpledge.com to view our full range.

Pet RemedyPet Remedy

Pet Remedy is a natural plant based range of calming products for pets. Easy to use and fast acting. This unique and patented formula is valerian root oil based and is made in the UK.

Pet Remedy works with the pet's own natural calming mechanisms and is suitable for use in all stressful situations. Pet Remedy will also help with developing emotional resilience and wellbeing. Now used by most veterinary practices and rescues on a daily basis. Visit the vet zone on our website and you will see a detailed explanation by Dr Robert Falconer-Taylor (veterinary neuro surgeon and author), about how Pet Remedy works. You will also see links to 9 published studies showing efficacy in multi-species including cat, dog, rabbit, pig and horse.

PurinaPurina

At PURINA®, we believe that pets and people are better together. We are committed to helping pets live longer, happier and healthier lives through proper nutrition and care, as well as collaborating with and supporting the veterinary professionals who care for them.

Introducing the new Purina® Vet Centre: the online resource for veterinary professionals. Access scientific publications, patient calculators, CPD-accredited content to enhance your development and patient care.  https://vetcentre.purina.co.uk

If you're not registered, contact your VNP or email vettechline@purina.nestle.com for an access token. Stay informed and provide the best care for your patients with our user-friendly platform. Unlock valuable resources at the Vet Center today!

CAW LogoThe College of Animal Welfare

The College of Animal Welfare is one of the largest providers of veterinary nurse training in the UK, with centres in Cambridgeshire, North London, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, County Durham and Scotland. We strongly believe that education and training is the key to raising standards of animal welfare. To this end, we strive to create new and accessible opportunities for learning, and encourage employers and those working with animals to undertake appropriate levels of training and continue with lifelong learning and education.

VetlifeVetlife

Vetlife is a charity dedicated to supporting the veterinary profession.

Everyone in the veterinary community is welcome to contact the Vetlife Helpline for free, independent and confidential support – including veterinary nurses, veterinary students, and non-clinical staff. The Helpline can be reached on 0303 040 2551 or by anonymous email.

Following contact with the Vetlife Helpline, volunteers can refer those needing further care to our award-winning Vetlife Health Support service which provides mental health support.

Vetlife Financial Support is available for eligible veterinary surgeons, registered veterinary nurses, and their dependants in the UK.

This event is free of charge and is open to anyone currently studying Veterinary Nursing on a diploma, degree, or apprenticeship programme, including students currently training with other providers.

In order to book onto this event, you will need to request a booking link. If you wish to request a booking link, please email admin@caw.ac.uk using your student email address and tell us the name of your training provider.

Please note, this event has limited capacity and tickets are available on a first come first served basis.

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