“Why I’m a Vet Nurse” – Jennifer Marshall

8 May 2025

May is Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM), led by the BVNA to recognise and promote the vital work of veterinary nurses. This year’s theme, ‘Progression’, focuses on the skills, development, and achievements of veterinary nurses, showcasing how the profession continues to grow and evolve.

To do this, we spoke to several BSAVA volunteers about why they are a veterinary nurse, what their journey has looked like so far, the most rewarding parts of their career, any challenges they’ve faced and most of all, what inspired them to become a vet nurse.

This week we’ve spoken to Jennifer Marshall, a BSAVA Volunteer on our Scottish committee. She currently splits her time between practicing as an anaesthesia RVN and teaching vet students at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh.

What inspired you to become a Vet Nurse?

I have loved animals for as long I can remember. I grew up in the countryside with farmer neighbours, so I felt as though as I was always surrounded by animals. I was drawn to helping injured wildlife or bottle feeding an orphan lamb, and no doubt continually pestered our family dogs!

How did you get into the profession?

I worked towards science topics in school with the aim of working somewhere in the vet profession and become the Saturday girl in a local vet practice. For three years I watched the comings and goings of all aspects of GP mixed practice and helped where I could by sweeping the floors, making tea and cleaning kits. In return I would be taken along on some farm visits and watch procedures in the practice. I quickly became drawn to the role of the RVN, and I am incredibly grateful to have been taken under the wing of the RVNs, vets and receptionists who happened to be working their Saturday morning shift.

What has your journey as a vet nurse looked like so far?

A very twisty and winding path! After graduating from university, I started as an RVN in the practice where I had been a Saturday girl. I built up a solid start of GP over the first couple of years of my career before deciding to move into referral practice. I hadn’t experienced a referral environment before, and I wanted to see what it had in store for me. I spent the next couple of years in out of hours positions between two hospitals, before deciding to return to days as a surgical nurse. While working in this role I realised how much I liked interacting with and teaching students, which lead me to spending three years teaching SVNs. I was missing clinical practical practice so decided to move to where I have been for the past six years. I split my time between practicing as an anaesthesia RVN and teaching vet students at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh.

What’s been the most rewarding moment of your career?

I try to find rewards in everyday actions, whether that be with patients or students. I find satisfaction in treating patients as if they were my own or as if their owner was a fly on the wall. Some days even if it’s housekeeping or cleaning heavy, I try to think at least I’ve been helpful or that I’ve reduced the chance of a patient picking up a nosocomial infection or an SSI. I find teaching, especially bedside teaching really rewarding. Seeing students thrive or have that penny drop moment is one of my favourite things about my job.

What’s a challenge you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it?

Pushing myself out of my comfort zone with each new job role or position has been challenging, but worth it. Stepping away from the clinical floor was a huge deal for me, as was returning after a three-year period teaching. As with a lot of things, I overcame it by having a network of friends and family who support me and the firm belief that there are good people everywhere. I have made long term friendships in each job I have had, which goes to show you can find things in common with people anywhere.

What do you wish more people knew about vet nurses?

That we are autonomous professionals who deserve to take up space.

How do you see the role of vet nurses evolving in the future?

It surely must begin with protection of the veterinary nurse title. I would love to see the evolution of clearer clinical pathways in which RVNs can advance their career and receive recognition for this more advanced role.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a vet nurse?

To grasp what the role entails as early as possible. Watch, listen, read, and inform yourself of what happens in clinical practice as this is where you will spend three or more years in training and very likely where you will work on graduation from college or university. You want to be a vet nurse because you love animals, but you very quickly realise that communicating with people is at the heart of caring for patients successfully. Ultimately the profession can be rewarding in many ways but it doesn’t come without challenge, so the more informed you are the best decision you will make.