b'EMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, VETERINARY WOMAN CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGEACHIEVE & LEAD TOGETHERWhat motivated you to want to change things? Starting The NURVN litI think every nurse has a little lull in their career. I felt like I was a fire I didnt know I had inconstantly complaining about things in the industry and not doing anything about it. When our ex-President of the NURVN me. I could have taken thereached out to me to be part of forming The NURVN it felt like easier route and joined aan opportunity to do something important. I was dismissed larger union, but I didnt.from a practice as a student and felt that I had nowhere to Im really proud of thatturn for support and it almost led to me leaving the profession. Now, I can be that support for other nurses in the hope that no decision and proud of whatone else is in the situation of wanting to leave the industry. we have created. I still need motivating from time to time; starting a union from scratch is incredibly difficult and I still have a lot to learn. My Vice President, Sam, has been amazingly supportive before she even joined the board officially. I absolutely could not do it without her. Our members continue to motivate me too. We often have nurses join us who have been turned away from other organisations when trying to access their services and being there for them during difficult times is a huge privilege.How have you encouraged other people to get on board with your ideas? It has been a challenge to get others on board. While Im sure that the majority of nurses will agree that we need more representation and support to make change, change can be a very scary thing. We have a decent social media following and have made a lot of connections in the industry, such as the RCVS, Vetlife and certain education centres. We continue to communicate with our members and encourage them to talk about us and how we have been able to help. A lot of raise those concerns will make a huge difference for what weour membership has come from referral from members we will stand for in the long run.have already supported. We have recently recruited regional I know that Im making a difference, because our membersrepresentatives to be able to spread the word of The NURVN tell me. The positive feedback we have received has beenand we hope to be able to attend some congresses in the not amazing and a little overwhelming at times! We are told ontoo distant future!a regular basis that a union just for nurses is long overdue. IWhat are the biggest challenges you have encountered also recognise the difference in myself. Starting The NURVN litin this journey and how have you overcome them?a fire I didnt know I had in me. I could have taken the easierThe biggest challenge has been getting our name out there route and joined a larger union, but I didnt. Im really proud ofand letting people know that we exist. I dont think that a lot that decision and proud of what we have created. of nurses really understand what a union can do and how we www.veterinarywoman.co.uk 16'