SVNs, RVNs and tutors sought for mental health research
The MMI-funded project is looking into mental health education.
A mental health research project is looking for student veterinary nurses (SVNs), registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) and people who deliver diploma-route and degree-route veterinary nursing curricula to take part in a webinar next month.
The project, conducted by Faye Didymus and Jackie Hargreaves of Leeds Beckett University, is exploring how mental health and wellbeing are integrated into the learning paths of SVNs. The findings will be used to make evidence-based recommendations for improving SVN mental health education.
During the webinar, the academics will discuss the findings of their research so far and invite those attending to contribute to the design and development of the next phase of the project.
The study is funded by a Sarah Brown Mental Health Research Grant from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Mind Matters Initiative (MMI).
Rapinder Newton, MMI project lead, said: “Our Sarah Brown Mental Health Research Grant has helped to fund six projects looking into various aspects of veterinary mental wellbeing, but this is the first to look specifically into veterinary nurse mental health.
“This is of vital importance, as much of the current research is either targeted towards vets or the vet team as a whole, as opposed to being nurse specific. We must do more to ensure that the entire veterinary team feel supported in their work and have the tools to maintain good mental health.
“It is fantastic to see Dr Hargreaves and Dr Didymus looking into early interventions to support SVN mental health from the start of their careers. This kind of research is vital in making positive change for the future, so if you are a current SVN, RVN or help deliver veterinary nursing programmes, then please do get involved.”
The webinar will take place on Zoom on Tuesday, 23 April from 10.30-11.30am. Anyone interested in attending can sign up online.
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