Lou qualified as an RVN in 2009. She has worked in various first opinion practices and a referral hospital in the UK. In practice, her main interests are quality improvement, anaesthesia, analgesia and emergency & critical care nursing.

Since qualifying Lou has completed two further certificates – the Vets Now Nurses certificate in Emergency & Critical Care Nursing (CertVNECC) in 2015 and the ISVPS Nurses Certificate in Anaesthesia (NCertAnaesth) in 2017.

In 2019 she was awarded the RCVS inspiration award for her ongoing ability to inspire and enthuse others in practice and further afield. In addition, she became an RCVS knowledge champion in both 2019 & 2020 for the quality improvement work she undertakes in practice. Lou previously sat on the BVNA council between 2018-2021 and was a BVNA representative on the RCVS Practice Standards Group.

Lou welcomed her first baby ‘Max’ into the world in September 2020 so life has slowed down a lot since then as she navigated the ‘new normal’ – which has been a steep learning curve of big highs and big lows too.

Lou is currently the clinical nurse lead in a very busy, first opinion practice and is responsible for reviewing clinical standards, implementing quality improvement practices and delivering team training in her areas of interest. Alongside working in clinical practice she is also QI lead RVN at RCVS Knowledge where she helps to promote and educate the wider profession about the importance of QI.

Through her social media platforms, she shares hints, tips and advice to nurses in the areas she too has needed support. She hopes her page is a positive escape for RVNs where they can find posts to inspire and motivate them to find their niche, value themselves and stand tall. She is keen to encourage ALL nurses to view their career as one massive opportunity to find their niche, upskill and view themselves as an important part of the team jigsaw, where everyone has a pivotal role.

Lou strongly champions collaboration and delegation within clinical teams and is keen to encourage nurses to stand tall and push to be maximised to their full potential. She is truly passionate and proud of the Veterinary Nursing profession and hopes to help empower other nurses to enjoy their careers as much as she does hers.

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