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 TOGETHERare beneficial to the industry. Weve received a little resistance as I do think that people think we may be stepping on some toes or that there are already enough people doing what we do. I dont think that you can have too many voices shouting for nurses. Ultimately, we all want the same goal and the more people on board then the easier that becomes. There is power in numbers.What has most helped and motivated you along the way?Knowing that being there to support others has made a difference for the individual has made all of the issues we have faced worth it. We have a lot of supporters in our professional lives and personal lives. From my boss in practice who seems to only use social media to share our posts, to my fiance who patiently listens to me talk about the union every day and to Sams husband who puts the kids to bed and listens to us navigate our way through paperwork and giggling over ridiculous things when were still awake at midnight trying to build a website for the first time. Encouragement and support from others is the biggest thing that has helped us keep going.What is the best advice youve been given, or that you would give to someone else, about driving positive change? Be prepared for a challenge! Making change is not easy and you might often feel you want to give up because its the easiest option. But when I failed my OSCEs the first time, I asked my dad what I was supposed to do now. All he said was to fight on. I dont often listen to him, but thats what Ive kept doing!What are your next steps to continue creating changefor the better? I want to continue to grow the NURVN. There is power in numbers and the more power we have the bigger the changes we can make. Our ultimate goal is to create an industry that supports nurses and encourages us to thrive. I want nurses to know what theyre capable of, maybe not alone, but when we come together, we can really make a difference. The late Louise ODwyer said that nursing is about making your mark, and thats what I will strive to do.www.veterinarywoman.co.uk 17'