Natalie Langdon, of Holmefield Veterinary Clinic, has received the Veterinary Nursing Award in the recent Askham Bryan Apprenticeship Star Awards.

The practice has also been recognised and has been named as the Askham Bryan Veterinary Nursing Employer of the Year. 

Natalie did her work experience at Holmefield in 2013. After leaving school and completing a Foundation Degree in Animal Management and Science, she re-joined the team 4 years ago. A year later she enrolled at Askham Bryan College and began her training on a day release basis, so was working in practice gaining practical experience 4 days a week and then spending 1 day a week at college getting classroom based training.

Natalie excelled with assignments but found the exams challenging. Despite some setbacks on the way, her determination to succeed and continued support from her clinical in-practice coach, Lisa Elliott, saw her qualify in 2019. She loves all aspects of veterinary nursing but has developed particular interests in the fields of anaesthesia and in-patient nursing.

Louise Davison, Clinical Director at the practice, said,

“Natalie has shown real commitment and determination in her resolve to be a veterinary nurse and her recognition with this award could not be more deserved. She is a great asset to our team, has a real empathy with our patients and her care of our in-patients, an area I know she is particularly fond of, is second to none.

She went on to say,

“Working with enthusiastic young nurses allows our practice to not only share the expertise and enthusiasm of our experienced staff, but also keeps us all on our toes through embracing new techniques and technology and ensures that the care we offer our patients is the best it can be.”

Holmefield Veterinary Clinic have supported veterinary nurse training on an on-going basis for many years. Emily Knight RVN is currently studying towards an Emergency and Critical Care Certificate, having completed her original nurse training at the practice in 2015.

Eleanor Ames and Eleanor Nottingham have qualified, with the support of the team at Holmefield. Eliza Empson and Megan Pattison have enrolled on the Askham Bryan VN course and should qualify in 2021.

Sydney Guscott is working with them this year – she is undertaking a degree in Veterinary Nursing at Harper Adams, so is with them for a 52 week placement to learn practical skills.

As a practice, Holmefield are committed to VN training as it helps young people in their area, with a genuine love of animals, to achieve qualifications and gain skills in something they are passionate about, giving them access to a rewarding career path.

Head Nurse Alex Clifton is instrumental in co-ordinating the training needs and ensuring that the trainee nurses get exposure to and can learn from a wide variety of cases and situations, whilst at the same time making a huge contribution to the smooth running of the practice and the care their patients receive. It really is a team effort as, whilst their trainee nurses obviously spend the majority of their time learning from all their qualified nursing team, they also work closely with the vets and receptionists to hone their skills.

The team at Holmefield recognise that it is important to inspire the vets and nurses of the future and regularly get involved within their community to try and spread the veterinary word. They take part in careers visits and talk to students in years 9 and 11 at local schools and welcome local children completing their Duke of Edinburgh Awards, where gaining experience in practice can help towards achieving the skills section of their award.

Head Nurse, Alex Clifton said,

“We have always encouraged nurse training and have worked with a number of local colleges over the years and had a steady throughput of trainee nurses - indeed all our nursing staff are either RVNs, trainee nurses or have completed the Animal Nursing Assistant qualifications and of the RVNs, a number are undertaking additional training in areas of their own interest.”

Holmefield are always keen to work with newly qualified vets too and have 3 vets currently on the IVC Evidensia Graduate program (1 in year 2 and 2 in year 1) and are looking at welcoming another New Grad later this year.

Louise Davison says,

“Our strength lies in having a very clear vision of the standard of care we would like our own pets to receive and in making sure we deliver it, whilst at the same time focusing on the needs of our clients and supporting them in every way we can.”