The Vet Nurse Skills Podcast

In this episode of Vet Nurse Skills, Amelia sits down with Sam Thompson — former referral nurse turned Medical Quality Manager, RCVS Practice Standards Scheme assessor, and founder of Pet Med CPR Education — for a conversation that's equal parts inspiring and laugh-out-loud honest.

From an unconventional start (circus horses, graphic design, and an accidental fall into vet nursing) to building North Downs' induction and CPR training programs from scratch, Sam shares how she turned a "just sort out CPR" request into a genuine mission. They dig into why every member of the team — receptionists included — should be crash-trained, the most common (and surprisingly simple) mistakes practices make with their crash boxes and algorithms, the emotional toll CPR has on vets and nurses, and why confidence, not qualifications, should decide who leads in an emergency.

Packed with practical advice on the RECOVER guidelines and plenty of Sam's trademark humour, this episode is essential listening for any practice serious about being crash-ready.

In this episode, Amelia Sherwood RVN and Dr Kirsten Ronngren are joined by Alison Mann, who shares her journey from Animal Care Assistant to RVN, referral nurse, educator, leader and certified coach, reflecting on the experiences that have shaped her career.

Together, they explore how leadership is about far more than job titles, why stepping outside your comfort zone can unlock new opportunities, and how coaching can empower veterinary professionals to develop confidence, solve problems and realise their potential.

The conversation also discusses the growing opportunities for veterinary nurses in non-clinical roles, the importance of mentorship and continuous professional development, and why the skills gained through veterinary nursing remain valuable throughout every stage of your career.

Listen now for an inspiring conversation about career development, leadership and discovering what's possible beyond the clinic floor.

In this episode of the Vet Nurse Skills Podcast, hosts Amelia Sherwood and Dr. Kirsten Ronngren interview exotics veterinary nursing expert David Stokes, who shares his professional journey and highlights the importance of adapting fundamental clinical principles to provide effective care for a diverse range of exotic species.

We'll discuss his approach to a range of species you may see (infrequently) in practice, helping to boost your confidence and hear some funny anecdotes along the way!

In this episode of the Vet Nurse Skills podcast, hosts Amelia Sherwood RVN and Dr Kirsten Rongren welcome Beckie Barnardt to the stage. We'll explore Beckie's journey from small animal emergency nursing (Vets Now) to exotics, zoo work, and full-time wildlife conservation medicine in South Africa since 2022.

Becky's story proves an RVN qualification can lead anywhere with determination, continuous learning, and openness to the unknown. Listeners are inspired to pursue wildlife or exotic paths via zoos, volunteering, or her African Legends Wildlife Services experiences. The episode concludes that collaboration elevates the profession, encouraging nurses to embrace risks, reject complacency, and contribute to global conservation while uplifting others.

In this episode of the Vet Nurse Skills podcast, hosts Amelia Sherwood RVN and Dr Kirsten Rongren speak with Emma Gerrard - an experienced RVN whose 20-plus-year career has spanned clinical practice, leadership, and education. Emma traces her journey from a pre-vet nursing course in 2003 through specialising in theatre nursing and orthopaedics, earning her BVNA infection control certificate, and taking on SQP qualifications in both small animal and farm practice.

A recurring theme is the power of saying "yes" — from writing articles in the VN Times to volunteering with the BSAVA, becoming the first vet nurse to serve as a regional chair, and editing the BSAVA Pocketbook for Veterinary Nurses. After experiencing burnout following 23 years in clinical practice, Emma pivoted into education, first lecturing online with the College of Animal Welfare before joining Aberystwyth University, where she now teaches on a growing vet nursing degree programme with purpose-built clinic facilities. The conversation also touches on the underutilisation of the SQP qualification in practice, the importance of proactive teamwork between nurses and vets, and hopes for legislative reform that would create clearer pathways for specialist and prescribing nurse roles — drawing comparisons with human healthcare models.