30/05/2026
🩺 Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month! 🐾
We're finishing off with a flourish ✨
Some of you may need no introduction but for everyone else, meet Laura Petts our Practice Manager of Robson and Prescott. Having a veterinary nurse as a practice manager is a huge accomplishment for us and something to be incredibly proud of. We know it can be a concern that those behind the scenes of vet practices have no real-world experience of what it's really like to work in vet med, but with Laura at the helm we loudly beg to differ! 👩⚕️🫡
We asked Laura to share a few words with us on her nursing career to date- how it all began, where it's led her and how her role at R&P has evolved to where she is now....👀
🩺 Where did your career with R&P start, Laura?
"I had wanted to work in the veterinary industry for as long as I could remember. After moving to Northumberland and joining R&P shortly after in January 1998 as an SVN (student vet nurse), I completed my qualification in 2001 and became an RVN (registered vet nurse) 🎓 During my time with Robson & Prescott I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of species and across many different parts of the practice. 🦎
I have moved through a range of roles- SVN, RVN, Senior Veterinary Nurse, Head Nurse and then in Summer 2025 I moved into the Practice Manager role (whilst still maintaining a clinical role with the exotics team), creating the perfect balance for me between assisting to manage the practice, supporting our team and following my passion in the exotics department all at once. 🦜"
🩺 That really shows how much progression the nursing role can offer! Tell us a bit more about your interest in exotic species- something R&P is well known for!
"Exotic species have been a lifelong interest for me, especially birds, and my role at Robson & Prescott has allowed me to pursue this. I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of avian, reptile, rodent and zoo species (take a look at the photos! 🦉) in addition to the all the usual species we encounter every day! I currently hold extra certificates in veterinary nursing of both exotic species and zoo species. 🦝
🩺 That sounds like it keeps you busy! Do you have any other particular nursing highlights or interests you've pursued?
"I have always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with others, and over time took on the role of clinical coaching alongside my RVN duties. I completed an A1 Assessor qualification in 2006 with the aim of supporting student vet nurses to achieve their qualifications- a role I continue to this day! 👩🎓 I also enjoy dentistry so completed the BVNA certificate in dentistry for Veterinary Nurses in 2008. 🦷
Another big undertaking I am heavily involved in is preparing and maintaining the Robson & Prescott hospital and branch surgeries for the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme inspections (the veterinary equivalent of an OFSTED inspection!), ensuring we continue to meet the highest standards possible for each of our locations. 🥇"
🩺 You should be incredibly proud of everything you've achieved over the years, Laura! Any last words on what it means to you to be a vet nurse and part of the R&P family?
"I've always enjoyed my nursing role for the variety and challenges it brings- it is an incredibly rewarding job (personally I feel it is a vocation) and every day is different! I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had over the years and for the incredible team of vets, nurses, care assistants and support staff I have and continue to work with. It truly is a team effort and there is so much that happens behind the scenes every day to support patient care. 💕"
A huge thank you to Laura not only for her fantastic answers and insights, but for all her hard work and dedication to the nursing career, R&P and beyond over the last 28 years! 🎉 Here's to 28 more?!
🔎 There are many different roles you could be a part of in veterinary practice- for further information on the role and the possible opportunities of a veterinary nursing career, head to https://bvna.org.uk/ (British Veterinary Nursing Association) or https://www.rcvs.org.uk/ (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) to find out more! 🚑🐾
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