Amanda-Jane Erne is standing for VN Council in the RCVS elections.

Meet VN council election candidate Amanda-Jane Erne

The RCVS elections start next week with ballot papers being sent out on Wednesday.

We will be featuring the 19 candidates competing for six seats on the RCVS council, as well as the five hoping to win one of the two seats up for election on the Veterinary Nurse Council.

Amanda-Jane Erne, an RVN, is a candidate for the VN council who wants to break down the "ivory tower syndrome" surrounding the RCVS.

"There is still an feeling of the ‘ivory tower syndrome’. Many feel that the college is still out of touch with the reality of being a vet/ veterinary nurse in practice working with the public today," said Amanda-Jane.

"I think is very important that the college continues to strive towards being approachable. It has become more transparent lately and that is a great step forward.

"I think the steps taken by the college in recent times is a step in the right direction.  The website is much more user friendly.  Its social media networking via Twitter is a really good avenue. 

"I think the main thing that needs to be communicated with vets and nurses is that they want to be an ally as opposed to a force to be reckoned with, friend not foe.  By use of different media and up to date news and feedback from events, this is highly achievable."

Amanda-Jane who qualified in 1997, works at a Vets Now Clinic in Coventry, is a tutor, and is also secretary of British Association of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.

"I’m very passionate about veterinary nursing and last year I was surprised at how few stood for election and even more surprised at how few voted. 

"I was following the elections on Twitter and the percentage of nurses (and vets) not voting was an eye opener. 

"I decided then that I would like to ‘do something’ just wasn’t sure what. Then earlier this year I saw the RCVS YouTube video about standing for council and it kindled a small spark in me. 

"I spoke with a few colleagues who said I would be great for the position, so here I am. I’ve seen a lot of change to the profession over the years and I think now is such an exciting time I would love to be in the thick of it. 

"As a working mother I know the challenges many veterinary nurses face both professionally and personally. With the transferrable skills gained from day to day working family life I think that this would help me be an efficient council member too, with both feet firmly placed on the ground.

"The main change I would like to see, and I believe it is only around the corner, is protection of the title ‘Veterinary Nurse’.  This is vital.  I think members of the public would be shocked to think that their pets could be under the care of an unqualified person.

"Once we are properly regulated, then this I believe is the next step.  On that note, I would like members of the public, our clients, to be aware of what we do.  I really do think that many folk are simply unaware of the training we do and the way we continue to learn and stay up to date with CPD.  We also need more clarity in what nurses can and can’t do."

Although Amanda-Jane welcomes the more towards RCVS regulation of veterinary nurses, she said the voices of VNs will need to be heard.

"What I hope to achieve is that any decisions affecting veterinary nurses will have been made by a fully informed council of which I will be a member. I want any decisions/changes that are made, to be made for the good of the veterinary nurse profession.

"I want veterinary nurses to feel empowered, to bin the old school mentality of ‘just a nurse’. We are not ‘just’ nurses. We are a pivotal piece of a successful practice/clinic/hospital (unsung heroes some may say).  Our role is vital for the good of our patients but also clients and colleagues and not forgetting the business side too.

"So I want to be a voice of the nurses.  There are so many options for veterinary nurses now. I want every veterinary nurse to reach their full potential, so they can be the nurse they want to be, where they want to be.

"I am very approachable (more so thanks to social media) and I’m happy to speak to anyone about any matters.

"Where do I see the college in five years. I  would like to see it proudly displaying the fact that RVN’s is an established and well respected brand globally (following the protection of the title). 

"Clarity is also needed in schedule 3 procedures, for overseas nurses coming to work in the UK approval for their qualifications or  some sort of competency testing prior to them entering the work place. 

"I am driven and dedicated, maybe slightly obsessive with my role as a veterinary nurse. For me my job is a privilege, I get such a kick out of doing what I do. 

"I want to be able to be help make the right decisions for our profession so that all nurses feel empowered and that what they do and decisions they make are important.

"I set up a Facebook page for nurses in my area to make them aware of events from CPD to RCVS news updates, I want all nurses to well informed. Nurses want to know what is going on and how they may/may not be affected.  

"I’m not afraid to ‘stick my neck out’ to put a point across, if I believe it is the right thing to say, I’ll say it. 

"As a school governor I get to see the planning and decision making that goes on behind the scenes of the school and to be able to do this regarding veterinary nursing, well that would be great."

All votes must be cast either online or by post by 5pm on April 25. Those elected will take their seats at the RCVS annual general meeting in July.