Jessica, from Frodsham, explored the emotional pressures facing veterinary nurses in her dissertation, Caring too much? Compassion Fatigue and its Influence on Veterinary Nursing.
Her research gathered 151 responses from veterinary nurses working across a range of practice types, offering insight into their experiences of compassion fatigue.
The study found that 86% of respondents reported symptoms associated with compassion fatigue, while a further 7% said they were unsure whether they experienced symptoms.
Compassion fatigue is the physical, emotional and psychological exhaustion that can develop through prolonged exposure to caring for others who are suffering. In veterinary nursing, this can include the emotional demands of supporting animals in distress and their owners.
While compassion fatigue has been explored in studies of nurses and veterinary surgeons, Jessica identified a gap in research looking specifically at registered veterinary nurses (RVNs).
“I found it important to discover what the driving factors were for nurses and the potential impact on the industry,” she said.
Her findings highlighted the emotional demands of the profession, alongside workplace factors including management, pay, career progression and challenging client interactions. Jessica hopes her research will help raise awareness of the pressures veterinary nurses face and encourage greater support for those working in the profession.
“Making the general public and other professionals aware of the emotional toll of the job can help to support RVNs by providing greater awareness of the occupational hazard,” she said.
“Protecting our current RVNs, empowering them to make the most of their role, allowing for career progression and providing a supportive workplace can all help.”
Jessica’s commitment to animal welfare began long before her degree. While at high school, she volunteered at a local horse sanctuary, where she developed a deeper understanding of the importance of caring for animals.
“Being able to provide a voice for those animals that need it was something especially important to me, and veterinary nursing allowed me to advocate for those in need,” she said.
Choosing Reaseheath was a natural step. Its location, welcoming lecturers and smaller class sizes appealed to Jessica, while the university centre’s veterinary nursing facilities gave her opportunities to develop her practical skills.
A highlight of her time at Reaseheath was the friendships she made, alongside the support she received from the lecturing team. Jessica particularly valued the support of lecturer Dan Wright throughout her dissertation research. Dan provided feedback on drafts, arranged meetings and helped connect her with another lecturer with experience in the veterinary industry.
She is now editing her dissertation with the hope of submitting it to a veterinary nursing journal, giving her findings the opportunity to reach a wider professional audience.
Achieving first-class honours was a proud moment for Jessica, whose graduation ceremony took place at Chester Cathedral on November 4th.
“I’m proud of my work and it’s nice to know I achieved the best I could,” she said.
Like many veterinary nursing students, Jessica found the practical placement element of her degree challenging at first. However, she found that asking questions, speaking up and working in a supportive practice helped her build confidence.
Now working at Laurels Veterinary Surgery in Runcorn, she is putting her skills into practice, with responsibilities including consulting and theatre work. She has also helped restart weight clinics at her practice, educating owners about pet nutrition and weight management. Her interests are continuing to develop, particularly in anaesthesia, and she hopes to pursue further qualifications in advanced veterinary nursing or emergency and critical care.
For those considering a career in veterinary nursing, Jessica is keen to emphasise the importance of understanding both the rewarding and challenging sides of the profession.
“You have to be prepared to work hard and be resilient,” she said.
“Even during hard days, you have to remember the difference you are making to both the animals and their owners. Most importantly, make sure to remember why you are doing nursing – that’s for the love of caring for animals and wanting to make a difference, but always remember to look after your own health along the way.”
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