Veterinary Voices

In this interesting episode of Veterinary Voices, Julie South catches up again with Khristina Naden, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytech, where she demonstrates how a veterinary nursing qualification can evolve into ground-breaking research. 

As Kristina shares insights from her Masters research (hopefully to be upgraded to PhD research) into therapeutic horse riding, you're are treated to a super interesting blend of scientific methodology and practical experience that bridges the gap between animal care and human therapy.

In episodes 205 and 206 Kristina's shared her non-traditional entry into veterinary nursing.   Today she expands on that to share how it's possible to expand and morph traditional veterinary nursing.  

Kristina talks about conducting international research which showcases the expanding horizons available within the veterinary nursing profession. 

Her recent presentation at a conference in Budapest highlights how veterinary expertise can contribute to broader therapeutic applications, from improving physical mobility to enhancing speech and language development in patients.

She also chats about how she was invited to present her veterinary research at a medical (human) conference; where a brief case of Imposter Syndrome kicked in.

Key Takeaways:

1. Veterinary nursing qualifications can lead to diverse career paths, including academic research and specialised therapy programs
2. The horse-human connection is deeply nuanced, with horses serving as sensitive indicators of human mental states - a finding that has implications for both therapeutic and recreational riding

This episode is particularly valuable for veterinary professionals considering career advancement, those interested in animal-assisted therapy, and anyone fascinated by the scientific understanding of horse-human interactions. 

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Unlock the secrets to finding your ideal veterinary clinic job by asking smart "Culture-based" questions at your job interview.

Today Julie South guides you through smart questioning techniques that reveal a clinic’s true culture and values.

Wondering how to ensure your future workplace aligns with your professional ethos? This episode of Veterinary Voices promises to equip you with the right questions to ask during job interviews, helping you uncover crucial insights about workplace culture, employee satisfaction, professional development support, and feedback processes. By integrating these tactics with thorough online research, including checking reviews on vetclinicjobs.com, you'll be well-prepared to make informed career decisions.

Moreover, hear why verified reviews are vital in your job search and how they can transform your understanding of potential employers.

Listeners are encouraged - regardless of whether they're seeking a new job or currently employed - to contribute to their clinic's community by leaving positive, anonymous reviews that can aid fellow veterinary professionals.

Today, you can discover how to leverage these 10 "culture" questions and their insights to leverage your career growth, ensuring each step you take is towards a workplace that truly resonates with your values and aspirations. 

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

In this episode of Veterinary Voices, host Julie South continues her in-depth conversation with Michelle Cameron, an executive member of the New Zealand Vet Nurse Association.

Their chat goes into innovative ways Veterinary Nurses can enhance their professional standing and increase their earning potential within the evolving landscape of veterinary practice.

The episode offers a wealth of practical strategies for Vet Nurses to demonstrate their value and for clinics to optimise their billing practices. From implementing nurse-led services to improving coding and tracking of nurse-provided care, the conversation covers a range of topics that can benefit both staff satisfaction and the practice's financial health.

Three key takeaways from this episode:

1. Veterinary nurses have the potential to significantly increase their hourly rates by proactively identifying and implementing fee-earning opportunities within their clinics. Julie and Michelle explore how nurses can take initiative in areas such as patient care, specialised consultations, and procedural assistance to justify higher remuneration / hourly rates.

2. Implementing nurse-led services, such as dental checks, senior pet consultations, and vaccinations, can free up veterinarians' time while generating additional revenue for the practice. Michelle provides specific examples of how these services can be structured and billed.

3. Proper coding and tracking of nurse-provided services is crucial for accurate billing and demonstrating the financial impact of Veterinary Nurses. The conversation highlights the importance of having comprehensive and easy-to-use systems in place to capture all billable activities.

For vet nurses seeking career advancement, this episode offers concrete steps to increase their value within the practice. At the same time, Practice Managers and owners will gain insights into optimising operations and improving profitability while enhancing staff satisfaction. Veterinarians will learn about ways to delegate tasks effectively, allowing them to focus on more complex cases.

By addressing the evolving role of Veterinary Nurses and the financial aspects of veterinary practice, there's a roadmap for elevating the Veterinary Nursing profession and improving overall clinic efficiency. Whether you're just starting your career in veterinary medicine or you're a seasoned professional looking for new perspectives, this discussion offers valuable, actionable strategies to implement in your practice."

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Discover how to maximise the value of your clinic's Veterinary Nurses and boost your clinic's revenue in this ideas-packed episode of Veterinary Voices.

Julie South catches up with Michelle Cameron, a New Zealand Registered Veterinary Nurse with extensive experience in emergency and critical care (ECC), and an Executive Member of the New Zealand Vet Nurse Association (NZVNA).  

Michelle shares valuable insights on leveraging the skills of veterinary nursing professionals.

Key topics covered:

1. Implementing nurse fees: Discover about charging for services such as overnight patient care and surgical preparation, which are often provided by nurses but not billed separately.
2. Overcoming resistance: Understand the challenges of introducing new billing practices and how to address concerns from both staff and management.
3. Improving clinic culture and profitability: Explore how recognising and valuing nurses' professional skills can positively impact both team morale and the clinic's bottom line.
4. Practical examples: Gain specific ideas for billable nursing services, including hospitalisation fees, surgical prep, and nurse-led consultations.

This episode offers valuable insights for Veterinary Nurses looking to increase their professional value, Practice Managers seeking to optimise clinic operations, and Veterinarians interested in maximising team efficiency. 

This episode can seriously be revolutionary in regards to how you approach veterinary nursing and clinic billing practices!

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Welcome to Episode 206 of Veterinary Voices, hosted by Julie South. With listeners in 1,400 cities worldwide, Veterinary Voices is your trusted source for insights into New Zealand's dynamic veterinary industry.  This episode is proudly sponsored by VetStaff, New Zealand's leading recruitment agency dedicated to connecting veterinary professionals with exciting career opportunities in Kiwi vet clinics. 

Today, Julie South continues her informative chat with Kristina Naden, a senior lecturer in veterinary nursing at Otago Polytechnic. This is the second part of their discussion on New Zealand's new Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, set to welcome its first cohort in February 2025. If you missed the first part, be sure to check out Episode 205 for the full context.

In this episode Kristina chats with Julie about:

• what's the most exciting part about the new Dip VN you're looking forward to? (at 05:30)
• how does the 750 practicum hour requirement work? what's changed? (06:06)
• how does NZ Dip.VN compare to the RCVS VN qualification? (08:47)
• has the new Dip. VN impacted / affected the BVN? (13:00)
• what's the future of post graduate qualifications for veterinary nurses in NZ? (13:52)

Join Julie and Kristina as they delve into the exciting developments in veterinary nursing education in New Zealand and explore the evolving landscape of this very rewarding profession. 

Whether you're a current veterinary professional or considering a career in veterinary nursing, this episode offers valuable perspectives and inspiration.

Stay tuned for next week's episode, where Julie will be joined by Michelle Cameron, an executive member of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA). Michelle will discuss the critical role veterinary nurses play in the financial success of veterinary clinics. Don't miss it!

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Ever wondered how the New Zealand veterinary nursing curriculum is evolving to better prepare future professionals? 

Kristina Naden, RVN, BVN, NZCATT, MRurSci student - Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytechnic - gives an exclusive preview of the upcoming Diploma in Veterinary Nursing launching in New Zealand in February 2025. 

Kristina chats about how this new qualification is a game-changing revamp for New Zealand veterinary nursing professionals.   

Get ready to explore Kristina's passion for continuous learning and her in-depth research on the health and disease status of dogs in Tonga, along with her commitment to advancing veterinary education

Kristina shines a light on the (very!) significant updates to the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, supported by a strong community of practice under Te Pūkenga.

In this episode Kristina chats with Julie about:

• veterinary nursing as a second career for her (at 03:39);
• why she chose veterinary nursing vs veterinarian studies (05:51);
• what her transition from clinical practice into teaching was like (10:11);
• some of the changes she's seen in the veterinary nursing curriculum in her time (13:24);
• what the new Dip VN looks like and how it will integrate into NZs veterinary clinics (18:07).

Part 2 - episode 206

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

In this episode of Veterinary Voices, host Julie South continues her informative conversation with Catherine Neazor Brady, a very experienced New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser.

[listen to the first episode - 203 - here]

Julie and Catherine discuss the complexities of hiring overseas veterinary professionals and the importance of using licensed immigration consultants. This episode is a must-listen for HR and Practice Managers in New Zealand's veterinary industry who are considering recruiting from abroad.

Three Reasons to Listen:

1. Expert Guidance on Immigration Processes: Gain valuable insights from Catherine Neazor Brady, who has over 20 years of experience in immigration and HR. Hear about the common pitfalls and legal requirements that employers often overlook when handling NZ immigration paperwork themselves.
2. Understanding Recent Law Changes: Stay informed about the latest changes in New Zealand's immigration laws and how they impact the recruitment of overseas veterinary professionals.  Catherine explains the intricacies of job tokens, accreditation, and job checks, providing clarity on these essential processes.
3. Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Discover the potential risks and financial implications of DIY immigration applications. Catherine shares real-life examples of how employers can inadvertently jeopardise their recruitment efforts and offers practical advice on how to avoid these mistakes by engaging professional immigration consultants.

Contact Catherine Neazor Brady
Linkedin
Neazor Brady Immigration Consultants

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Catherine Neazor Brady - New Zealand licensed immigration advisor with over 20 years of experience in both recruitment and immigration - chats with host, Julie South of VetStaff.

Catherine and Julie discuss the intricacies of immigration for veterinary professionals looking to work in New Zealand.

Key topics covered in the episode include:

1. Recent changes in New Zealand's immigration landscape, particularly the fee increases set to take effect on October 1st. Catherine explains these changes, their rationale, and compares them to similar fees in other countries like Australia.
2. The distinctions between temporary and permanent visas, detailing the requirements and processes for each. Catherine elaborates on the "green list" for high-demand occupations, which includes veterinarians, and how this impacts the visa application process.
3. Employer obligations when hiring overseas veterinary professionals, including costs, responsibilities, registration fees, and job check requirements. This information is valuable for both clinics looking to hire international talent and for veterinary professionals seeking to understand their potential employers' perspectives.
4. Recognition of overseas qualifications, particularly for veterinary nurses. Catherine explains the assessment process conducted by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and discusses how work experience can sometimes substitute for formal qualifications in certain visa applications.
5. The importance of working with licensed immigration consultants, highlighting the complexities of the process and the potential pitfalls of attempting to navigate it alone.

Throughout the episode, Catherine's unique combination of recruitment and immigration expertise provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the entire process, from initial job search to successful visa acquisition.

This informative discussion offers valuable insights for both potential immigrants and employers, providing a solid foundation of knowledge about the current veterinary immigration landscape in New Zealand.

Contact Catherine Neazor Brady:
Neazor Brady Immigration Consultants
Catherine at Linkedin

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Curious about why only 26% of Kiwi veterinary nurses plan to stay in their profession until retirement?

Join Julie South as she catches up with Associate Professor Laura Harvey, the President of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association, who sheds light on this pretty grim statistic.

Julie and Laura talk about the unique challenges faced by New Zealand’s veterinary workforce, from rural and cultural dynamics to the impacts of poor remuneration.

With insights backed by the Boehringer survey, Laura provides a comprehensive look into the factors contributing to the high turnover rate and what can be done to support these essential healthcare professionals.

Julie and Laura also tackle the operational dynamics within veterinary clinics, emphasising the importance of distinguishing between the roles of veterinary nurses and receptionists.

With real-world examples from VetStaff, we illustrate how small clinics can thrive by clearly defining these roles, leading to significant improvements in efficiency and growth.

Packed with practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intricacies of veterinary nursing as a profession in New Zealand veterinary clinics.

Tune in for an episode that promises valuable insights and actionable advice!

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Kevin Bryant, CEO of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), joins Julie South of VetStaff, us to share his passion and commitment to supporting veterinarians throughout their careers. 

From students to retirees, Kevin highlights the NZVA's pivotal role in championing the entire veterinary team.  

Often confused, listen as Kevin talks about the vital distinctions between the NZVA and the Vet Council (VCNZ), clarifying their unique roles and contributions to the veterinary sector in New Zealand.

Discover the extensive advocacy work spearheaded by the NZVA to improve animal welfare and veterinary practices. 

Kevin sheds light on efforts to empower trained veterinary nurses with specific dental procedures, campaigns against behaviour-modifying collars, and restrictions on public fireworks sales. 

Kevin and Julie also chat about the pressing issues of responsible antimicrobial use, veterinarians' roles in emergency responses through the One Health approach, and the crucial focus on workforce sustainability and leadership amidst economic challenges and workforce shortages. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the future of veterinary practice in New Zealand or who are considering moving to New Zealand to work as a veterinary professional.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics