Veterinary nurse scoops writer of the year award
Ciar Pembroke has been named winner of the VNJ Writer of the Year Award.
A veterinary nurse from Hertfordshire has been crowned winner of the 2022 VNJ Writer of the Year Award for her article on barriers affecting BAME veterinary students.
Ciar Pembroke's paper, published in the VNJ earlier this year, was titled Barriers affecting BAME students’ access and attainment in veterinary higher education. The award recognises articles that have driven positive change, encouraged discussions, or improved clinical standards in practice.
An RVN at Davies Veterinary Specialists, Ciar explained that the main aim behind her article was to help acknowledge and understand why the veterinary sector is the least diverse profession in the UK - with veterinary nursing being worse than veterinary medicine.
In the second part of the study, Ciar explores the barriers and discusses potential solutions under the main themes of exposure, pathways, isolation/marginalisation, the learning environment and teaching styles.
Commenting on Ciar's achievement, Davies hospital director, Ben Orton, said: “We are extremely proud that she is a member of our nursing team here at Davies. Her drive, focus and commitment strongly reflect our hospital ethos, and her article pertinently and comprehensively tackles the very important subject of BAME representation within the veterinary sector.”
The full article is available to read on the British Veterinary Nursing Association website.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
