Member Vitals – Elise Oughton and Michelle Reeves

Name: Elise Oughton

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing

Yes, slowly! A Diploma in Leadership and Management.

I completed my Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2012, while working in clinic. Since then, I have worked full time as a veterinary nurse and head veterinary nurse. More recently, I’ve been part of the management team at our practice, which has been an exciting new challenge!

I’ve always had a love of animals and all things science. Veterinary nursing presented as a good way to combine my interests. I love the practical aspect of nursing; there is always something interesting happening – a new patient to meet and a new skill to learn. I also found a great practice to work in from the start, which got me hooked.

I love being involved in complex procedures and learning new technical skills, such as the process for CT scans. I have also given a home to two animals through veterinary nursing, so they are very fond memories.

Something I heard a speaker say at this year’s VNCA Gold Coast Conference, about how vital it is to have courage … the courage to keep trying and learning, because it’s the process of repetition that will build competency and then confidence will follow.

I try not to take work home with me, but it can definitely be difficult to switch off at times. I like to take my dog out and spend time outside to help reset from the day, talk with family, or watch something easy on TV. If there is something I’m feeling stressed about, I will set a limit on how much time I spend thinking about it (which sometimes works).

I have a greyhound/staffy mix (at least that’s what I say she is) named Rosie and a cat called Coco. I adopted Rosie when she was around 16 weeks, after she presented at the clinic with HOD (hypertrophic osteodystrophy). She was being cared for by a local rescue group, but her disease made it difficult for her to be adopted out. I pretty much fell in love with her straightaway and being her nurse every day for a week cemented that. Rosie is a comedian at home and will play up to make people laugh. She has also been called a kangaroo and a tiger by people we’ve met (it’s the ears and the stripes). As for Coco, I found her at a local vet who had taken in some kittens and she is now about 15 years old. She is occasionally grumbly, but also loves nothing more than to sit in my lap and have cuddles.

Five years, on and off. I enjoy attending conferences when I can. Name: Michelle Reeves Qualification: ISFM Diploma of Feline Nursing, Cert IV Veterinary Nursing, RECOVER certified, RVN, AVN

Safe Use of Chemotherapy in Practice run by VETcpd.

I recently celebrated ten years as a vet nurse. My first eight years were in GP: working with amazing people, fostering countless kittens, knowing all my regulars and their families, and learning so much every year. Two years ago, I moved into a specialist setting which has pushed me to learn more and develop new skills. I now work as an oncology and departmental nurse at SASH Tuggerah, which has been an amazing experience that I didn’t even know was possible when I started nursing.

I started as a vet nurse because I love animals and thought I wasn’t a people person. Why I stayed a vet nurse was because of the people: the hardworking, intelligent and caring colleagues, as well as the dedicated and vulnerable families of the pets.

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No single moment but an accumulation of memories of moments of kindness seen throughout my career – a senior nurse or vet taking time to teach me something, an extra break after a rough euthanasia, the comradery of a late-night surgery, someone scheduling a Burmese patient for a day I’m working ... all the moments that turned me into a people person.

Be kind to yourself. Always make sure you’re giving enough of your energy to your own needs before caring for others.

I work part time and make sure I fill my cup back up on my days off.

I am the lucky companion of 4 senior rescue Burmese cats, a senior Bordoodle (I know, I know), a rescue Indian Ringneck Parrot and a senior chicken.

Six years in January 2023. I joined the NSW Division Committee last year and it’s been very interesting seeing all the work that goes into making the VNCA great.

THE AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY NURSES JOURNAL

There are lots of options available – from clinical and research articles through to case studies, opinion pieces and the everpopular ‘Member Vitals’. As a starting point, check out the Author Guidelines on our website at www.vnca.asn.au/resources/avnj/authorguidelines/ When you are ready to submit, or if you have further questions, please email us on media@vnca.asn.au – whether it is the first time or you are a frequent contributor, we’ll make sure your journey to publishing in AVNJ is rewarding.

THE AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY NURSES JOURNAL

The Official Journal of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Austral ia Inc. Reg. No. A0031255G ABN 45 288948433 Obstructive urolithiasis in a guinea pig

Equine nurse’s role in lameness examinations

VOL. 28 • NO. 1 • MARCH 2022