29/09/2021
CONFERENCE 2021 | Wellness Stream | Panel Discussion: 'Climbing the ladder... '
On the Saturday of conference, we will be hosting a panel discussion with a group of veterinary nurses who have 'climbed the career ladder' or gone on to do other things within the industry. This will be a structured discussion on who these women are, what they currently do, and how they got to be there. We will be asking pre-arranged questions that attendees will have the chance to ask before the conference and also be taking questions from the audience on the day.
COMMENT BELOW: What would you like to know about climbing the veterinary nursing career ladder? Please post your questions below OR email them to [email protected].
Some more information about our panellists:
VTS: Katie Duncan
Katie Duncan is a registered diploma nurse and Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in anaesthesia and analgesia. Her experience includes over 18 years in mixed practice, leadership, teaching, and anaesthesia in an array of species including most of the species at Orana park, Wildlife Park, and volunteer teaching of anaesthesia and analgesia to vets in China.
Lecturer: Lauren Prior
Lauren first gained a Bachelor of Science (Biology) followed by her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. She has worked both as a general practice veterinary nurse and at the surgical referral centre 'Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa (VSA)'. In 2018, Lauren changed careers to become a full-time lecturer for the School of Environmental and Animal Sciences at Unitec, mainly teaching the next generation of veterinary nurses. Lauren is currently two-thirds of the way through a MSc in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, halfway through a Tertiary Teaching Diploma and is a member of the NZVNA Executive Committee.
Nursing Abroad: Robyn Taylor
Robyn spent 15 years nursing in the UK, after graduating with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in New Zealand. She spent the first few years locuming in various practices, including the RSPCA in London. One of her locum positions sent her to the RVC, Royal Veterinary College, just out of London, where she ended up taking a full-time position and staying for 13 years. As a result of her time overseas, Robyn experienced the veterinary nursing system in the UK, including the well-established registration requirements and the locum system, and was lucky to be a part of some of the best veterinary medicine in the world from specialists at the RVC.
Head Nurse: Libby Leader
Libby gained her Certificate in Veterinary Nursing in 2008 and has since gone on to complete her Diploma via recognition of prior learning. Libby has been an executive NZVNA committee member since 2016. She has worked in general practice, speciality practices, as a veterinary nursing education institution tutor, and worked with the continuing education providers in New Zealand. Libby has been a manager and is currently the Head Veterinary Nurse for the new Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa (VSA) hospital in Christchurch.
