Name: Ellé Gauntlett
Title: Clinical Nursing Manager
Practice: Crofts Veterinary Surgery and Alder Veterinary Practice
How long have you been a veterinary nurse?
I have been working in a veterinary practice since I was 14 years old. I qualified officially in 2017.
What is the most rewarding thing about this career choice?
It would be hard to pick just one thing. Supporting animals and fixing them! Seeing pets thrive and watching their owners happy with their progress. Things like wound management, seeing hard work pay off and knowing your veterinary knowledge got you there.
What’s the best thing about working at Alder and Crofts practice?
The team! I have never worked with such hard-working individuals. We work in a stressful industry, and they make the day enjoyable even when it shouldn’t be! The team are all such natural teachers; I know I can ask them anything, and they will always explain things thoroughly.
What does an average day involve for a veterinary nurse at your practice? What type of treatments and care does this include?
Veterinary nurses are multitalented! We are anaesthetists; we support patients during their recovery, scrub into orthopaedic surgeries, see emergency surgeries, calculate medication, fluid therapy. We support our vets in consults; we help dispense medication, take blood samples, run blood samples in our lab. We see patients in for bandage changes and perform wound management. We are teachers and guide nurses through their training as well as vet students on placements.
How has your role progressed within the practice/with Linnaeus?
I was a locum nurse previously for the practice. Since covering holiday and working in both branches, I have come back as a Clinical Nursing manager.
How has your role changed during the pandemic?
When the world went silent in other industries, the Veterinary world seemed to get ten times busier! We also have to do our job above, but we also have to replace clients in the consulting side of things. I’ve remained positive as I know there is light at the end!
What single most important thing has helped you through these challenging times?
Food! But in all seriousness, knowing it will get better and having a great team around me.
