Pulling up a seat at the table

My name is Chris Riddington and I am a second-year student veterinary nurse (SVN).

I have always had a love for animals since I was a child but, due to having undiagnosed OCD as a teenager, I didn’t do very well at school. I came away with no GCSEs, very little confidence, and I flitted from job to job until I eventually found myself working for the NHS, where my interest in anatomy and physiology began.

Genesis

On my way to work one day, I came across an injured gull on the side of the road. I had no idea what to do, but I picked this bird up and called a wildlife rescue. A short time later a charity ambulance arrived with flashing beacons and two volunteers, collected the injured bird and whisked it off to a hospital.

This ignited an interest in me, so I rang the rescue and signed up as a volunteer – and it wasn’t long after that I found myself handing in my notice to run off into the sunset as a wildlife rescuer.

In the proceeding years I realised this role wasn’t enough. I loved what I did, but I knew I wanted to understand the science; I wanted to do more! I was in my late 30s and felt I had progressed as far as I could, yet I didn’t have the confidence to do anything about it.

From the heart

Sadly, I then lost my cat of 10 years. The loss hit me hard, but it made me realise what I had to do…

I set about honing my functional skills, qualified as a nursing assistant to achieve the grades required and, after spending a year as an out-of-hours care assistant, the opportunity arose to apply for an SVN apprenticeship.

My passion for nursing comes from my heart. Every patient I look after I treat as my own and every owner I speak to, I speak as if I was in their shoes – I know what it’s like to leave your pet in the hands of a veterinary practice; I know the anxiety of waiting for that call. I also know how, sometimes, just sitting with a sad dog can be just as important as the medication I am giving.

Forward focus

So, over the next year, I hope to shine some light over a few important areas in practice that are often misunderstood or overlooked, including:

• men in practice (we can care too)
• proving age is just a number
• understanding wildlife in practice

I would also like to focus on helping those who may find things overwhelming to start with – especially in their first year. I believe it is important that students realise there is that space, while recognising they are not the first to struggle and that their own well-being is just as important as that of their patients.

I would also like to show the door is open to people of all ages, sexes and from all walks of life. Caring, passionate people should not give up on becoming a nurse.