After leaving school, I began and completed a first-year degree course in business studies. However, my passion for working with animals became heightened and I was lucky enough to be offered employment as a student nurse in a reputable small animal practice.
I become qualified after two-and-a-half years and subsequently became head nurse. Looking for a new challenge, I moved to another practice that was struggling somewhat and, initially, it was just myself and one vet who worked pretty tirelessly to keep the practice surviving.
As time went on, we employed another vet and a student nurse, and became successful enough to move to bigger premises. The practice continued to grow, and within eight years we moved premises again when I became practice manager. We were now a 3.2 vet, 3 RVN, 1 SVN, 1 VCA and 5 receptionist team.
In 2014, we were taken over by CVS, when I was appointed practice director and also practice director of another CVS practice in Glasgow. Initially, the challenge of the CVS takeover, and also taking on the responsibility of another practice, was overwhelming, but I received great support from my team members and also from my regional director, who would peel me off the ceiling in times of panic.
A few years earlier, I had undertaken an intensive practice management and leadership course, which was now proving invaluable, and CVS has made many leadership and management training programmes available to me comprising of leadership, performance management and financial training. I would say these programmes are a must for anyone in a management role.
I enjoy my current role enormously and the daily challenges it brings. My role is so varied from day to day and my diary can consist of appraising staff, analysing practice performance, nurse consultations and remembering to purchase a new toilet seat before a member of staff falls through it. I can safely say my job is never repetitive and dull.
The biggest challenge within my role is undoubtedly the responsibility. I am ultimately responsible for the success of both practices and the well-being of the staff. I feel so lucky both teams are very capable and supportive of me, and the old cliché is true – you are only as good a leader as the team you work with. I have made mistakes within my role, but, more importantly, I have learned from them. The learning curve has been steep and with the extra support of my CVS management team, I hope I can continue to drive both practices forward.
I would hope my journey can help new RVNs or anyone contemplating entering the profession; the opportunities that are available to them today. They can combine their clinical skills with management roles and even aspire to practice ownership. Gone are the days when RVNs were predominantly used as cleaners and kennel maids. I feel fulfilled in my current role and after everything I’ve said, being a practice director is really my recreational time. I go home at the end of the day to my real work – my two children.
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