Business Relationship Manager – Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month 2021

As part of Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month, we’re going to be focusing on some of our amazing veterinary nurses and show the different careers each one has chosen.  Today we hear from Ffion Llewelyn – Business Relationship Manager here at Eastcott.  

What got you interested in becoming a veterinary nurse?  

I have always known that I wanted to work with animals and initial thought the only option was becoming a vet, but then when I looked into it more and found the chance to do a Veterinary Nursing Degree I immediately applied!  I started training  to be an RVN in 2006 and completed my 4 year VN degree from the RVC in 2010. 

Top line what does your current role involve? 

My Current role is Business Relationship Manager for Eastcott Referrals.  It’s all about building and maintaining the relationships we have with our Referring vets and practices and establishing ways of supporting them further through CPD events, advice services or generally arranging a referral.  

What are the key skills you think you need to be a successful RVN? 

Willingness to learn, compassion and a can do attitude! 

What do you love about the job? 

Variety.  Sounds cliché but no 2 days are every the same and never say the ‘Q’ word on a Friday! It is also exciting to see the advances in Veterinary Medicine and the different treatments options that we are now available to offer animals. But also the development of the Veterinary Nursing profession.  

What makes your day so interesting?   

It’s exciting to see the advances in Veterinary Medicine and the different treatments options that we are now available to offer animals. But also the development of the Veterinary Nursing profession. The rewarding part is to see owners reunited with their pets who are a part of their family and the wagging of tails of a happy dog. Sadly it’s not always a happy endings which can be hard but there is comfort in knowing that everyone did what they could and what was best for the animal. 

Is there any particular patient or case you’ve been involved with that has stuck with you?  

I will never forget the first time I scrubbed in to assist with a hip replacement surgery on a lovely springer spaniel. The nerves making sure I didn’t touch anything I shouldn’t to break sterility and the adrenaline of being in surgery and being a part of the procedure. I have always had a passion for surgical nursing, so this is definitely a highlight.  

How did you find the challenges posed by 2020? Both professionally and personally  

It has definitely changed the dynamics in which I am use to working. Joining Eastcott and the Linnaeus team half-way through a pandemic I have learnt to adapt to working from home and contacting practices through video and phone calls rather than in person. I am lucky enough to be able to still visit my colleagues in the hospital but am yet to meet the wider Linnaeus BRM team! I am very much looking forward to getting back out to visiting our local practices.  

What additional qualifications do you have or you’re working towards? 

Non that are connected to veterinary at the moment, but I do hope to complete a veterinary business-related course at some point in the future.  

If you could go back in time what advice would you give to the younger you starting out on your career? 

Never say never. Follow what it is that you enjoy and don’t limit yourself to new opportunities; they may take you in a direction you never thought possible but be the best thing in the long run.