Meet Lou, Veterinary Nurse at Furlife Vet and Equine Hospital in Bunbury
At 58, Lou proves that it’s never too late to follow your passion. Her career has taken her from organising international financial conferences in Europe to running her own catering business in Australia, before finally discovering her calling for veterinary nursing.
Encouraged by her son, who was completing his own practical placement in a vet clinic, Lou took the leap into study with AVT. What started as a challenge to try something new, soon became a career she truly loves.
Lou kindly shared her story with us, here’s what she had to say.
What inspired you to pursue Vet Nursing?
“I have always had a passion for biological science and a love for animals, but I had never thought of Vet Nursing as a career before. When my son came home with stories from his placement, it sparked something in me. At first I thought I was too old to start studying again, but he challenged me to do it. I enrolled in the Certificate II in Animal Care (Vet Nursing Pathway) and I loved it!”
Returning to study with AVT
Lou admits it was daunting going back to study as a mature-age student, but the AVT environment made all the difference.
“I was really impressed by the quality of the course content, delivery and the Trainers and Assessors. The learning environment felt safe and inclusive, which made me feel totally comfortable. I found I had an appetite for learning and just loved the whole experience, it made the decision to enrol in the Certificate IV very easy.
Studying the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing on campus was an incredible experience. It was full-on and a lot of fun. The support of the AVT staff was always there and the friends made in the classroom became your support network. Having people who understand what your day at work entails is priceless.”
“At first I thought I was too old to start studying again, but taking the leap into veterinary nursing has been life-changing.”
How important was the learning environment to your success?
“Having been out of the education system for such a long time and being in my late 50s embarking on a new career path, the supportive learning environment was essential. I had doubts about my ability to learn and how I would fit in with the rest of the class but at no point did I feel uncomfortable. I felt supported and encouraged from beginning to end.”
Life as a Vet Nurse
Now working three days a week at Furlife Vet and Equine Hospital, Lou splits her time between small animals and equine nursing.
Her day-to-day tasks are varied and rewarding:
- Inpatient care, admissions and discharges
- Pathology, anaesthetic monitoring and assisting with surgery
- Supporting equine vets both in and out of clinic with x-rays, joint injections, drenching, ultrasounds, gastroscopes, dentals and lameness assessments
“No two days are the same and as a Vet Nurse you have the ability to make a difference to the lives of animals and their owners,” Lou says.
What are you focusing on for the future?
“I’m focusing on consolidating my knowledge and skills, gaining experience and becoming more confident in my day-to-day role. I hope to enrol in the AVT Equine Veterinary Nursing course this year and just keep learning.”
What advice would you give to future students?
“Take the leap. This is a well-structured, high quality course delivered by industry professional Trainers and Assessors and you will be supported all the way by the whole AVT team.”
What moments stand out most in your career so far?
“Assisting with orthopaedic surgery as a scrubbed-in nurse has been a highlight along with being AVT Veterinary Nursing Student of the Year.”
Find out more about Veterinary Nursing
Want to learn more? Read more posts about Veterinary Nursing here
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ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
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