Abi Massey

In addition to the day to day tasks of a Veterinary Nurse in general practice, I also had the pleasure of being a Clinical Coach to a first year SVN. This was a return to coaching, and I relished in the excitement of helping to support a student in achieving their dreams.

My promotion to Nursing Manager brought with it the fantastic opportunity to be more actively involved in the mental well-being of our nursing team.

I had responsibility for over-seeing the maintenance of our diagnostic/ imaging equipment and placing the necessary consumables and drug orders from our suppliers.

I strive to be friendly, supportive, empathetic and caring towards colleagues, clients and, most importantly, our patients.

• After maternity leave, I returned to work on a part-time basis, continuing to have an active role in theatre, laboratory and nurse clinics.
• Keenly supporting the Head Nurse with her ever increasing range of tasks; as the practice continued to expand.

• Joined Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre within months of it's grand opening. Took great delight in helping to establish and expand the client base. Building a positive relationship with the client from the moment they walked through the doors.
• Initially, I was the only nurse on site; so this meant that I was performing a wide-ranging variety of duties.
• Responsible for maintaining the cleanliness throughout the practice.
• As the nursing team expanded, I was then able to continue being an assessor.
• Keenly involved in nurse clinics; ranging from puppy and kitten checks to weight loss.
• Responsible for writing the nursing rota and ensuring the smooth running of the team on a daily basis
• Maintaining sufficient stock of drugs, consumables and laboratory tests
• Equipment maintenance and servicing
• Also took on the role of being the Practice Manager. This saw me being more actively involved in helping to resolve client complaints and supporting the team of reception staff.

• Excitedly joined the busy team of nurses at Stowe Vet Group and continued to enjoy performing a variety of daily nursing duties.
• Created a new role for the practice by becoming their on-site behavioural advisor for canine and feline patients. After 3 months, a position of Head Nurse became available at the sister practice and I was fortunate enough to be chosen to take on the role.

• Originally spent two weeks at the practice for my work experience placement and fell in love with the veterinary world.
• Became their Saturday helper and was then fortunate to be offered the chance to enroll on the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Course.
• I enjoyed the wide-ranging tasks that this position offered: reception, filing laboratory repots, dispensing medication, caring for inpatients, performing laboratory tests, radiographic work, monitoring patients under anaesthesia and assisting in theatre.
• Also gained experience in: organizing the nurse rota, ordering of stock supplies and managing the nursing team.
• Started to develop a keen interest in animal behaviour; after attending an inspiring lecture by the renowned Sarah Heath. I successfully completed the BVNA Companion Animal Behaviour Course, enabling me to support clients on a regular basis.
• I trained as a D32/ D33 assessor, so that I could support the students with their portfolios. Being an assessor was a wonderful incentive for continuing to improve and further my own knowledge.