Veterinary Nurse of the Year

NZVNA, in conjunction with Hill's Pet Nutrition, realise the importance of veterinary nurses. The Hill's Veterinary Nurse of the Year Award has been launched to recognise veterinary nurses who advocate and significantly contribute to the care of their patients and who are an integral part of the veterinary health care team

WINNERS OF NZVNA/HILLS VETERINARY NURSE OF THE YEAR AWARD  

2017 Alice Gasnier

2016 Kate Leveridge   Kate Leveridge has worked at the Massey University Pet Emergency Centre for three years where she is a veterinary nurse in the Intesive Care Unit (ICU). Patients in the ICU are prone to sudden deterioration and Kate is quick to speak up if she has any concerns, even if this means ruffling a few feathers, as she feels passionate about Best Practice patient care. Working at Massey University means that Kate is teaching both veterinary and veterinary nursing students on top of her veterinary nursing duties. This can be stressful as Kate is not only accountable for her own actions but also the actions of any students that are under her charge. But Kate remains calm and even in the most challenging of situations her standards of care for her patients and her students remains faultless. Because of her passion for learning, Kate is always undertaking continuing education and this passion has extended to organizing an emergency and critical care practical conference.  Kate's passion and support of others, whether they are veterinarians or veterinary nurses, has been invaluable for their future careers and she is the veterinary nurse that everyone at her work looks up to. In her spare time, Kate helps to fundraise for guide and special need dogs within the Palmerston North community. She has also spent her holiday's voluntaring for a spey and neuter clinic in Ecuador and has recently applied to volunteer for similar work in Tonga. She is also on the NZVNA Executive Committee.

2015 Wendy Jarnet

2014 Lisa Jamieson

2013 Tania Fernandez

Tania Fernandez wins NZVNA & Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inaugral Veterinary Nurse of the Year 2013

Auckland, New Zealand  – October 11, 2013 To celebrate Veterinary Nurse Day 2013, the New Zealand Veterinary Nurse Association (NZVNA) and Hill’s Pet Nutrition are thrilled to congratulate Tania Fernandez  as the NZVNA & Hill’s™ Veterinary Nurse of the Year.

Veterinary Nurse Day celebrates veterinary nurses around New Zealand and recognizes their dedication and commitment to the industry. NZVNA and Hill’s Pet Nutrition launched the Veterinary Nurse of the Year Award to honour these highly skilled professionals, who are an essential part of any veterinary practice.

“I am totally overwhelmed,” said Tania Fernandez, the award’s first recipient. “It is such a privilege and honour to be nominated.  I wouldn’t be here without the support of my team, so this is also a big thanks to them.”
Tania was nominated by her colleagues at The Straven Road Veterinary Centre in Christchurch, her local wholesaler Business Account Manager and tutors from the Christchurch Polytech. A highly motivated and enthusiastic nurse, Tania provides exceptional care for her patients and shows empathy to their owners.  Tania helped design the clinic’s website and Facebook page, works tirelessly with veterinary nursing students and continues her own professional development. She goes above and beyond her nursing duties and responsibilities.  

Julie Hutt, President of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association said, “I was thrilled to see such a high standard of nominations and recognise the contribution of veterinary nurses to both the veterinary team and their patients.  I was impressed by the variation of work, from mixed practice, small animal clinics, senior nurses working in practice management, vet nurses working with exotics, running nursing clinics, mentoring student nurses and also writing articles for the NZ Veterinary Nursing Journal.  The letters of support came from veterinarians, clients, educators and industry.  All candidates strive to provide the highest standards of veterinary nursing care and exceptional customer service.”

Jan Bedford - Vet Nurse Manager,  Hill's Pet Nutrition said: ‘We are thrilled to have received so many outstanding nominations  from all around New Zealand .  It is wonderful to see veterinary nurses receive the recognition they deserve but sometimes don’t get.  The 2013 candidates were all exceptional and it was tough to choose a winner. Tania showed an excellent contribution to the veterinary profession.’
Other finalists for the 2013 award were:

• Melissa Shuttleworth from Waikiwi Vet Services in Invercargill
• Marie Yorston from Pet Doctors at Animates Mt Eden in Auckland

The NZVNA and Hill’s Pet Nutrition would like to congratulate Tania, the finalists and all of those nominated for 2013.
To nominate a veterinary nurse for the 2014 Veterinary Nurse of the Year Award please contact Hill’s HelpLine on 0800 344 557.