The RCVS Mind
Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched a new survey to help inform its future
work with the veterinary nursing profession.
The survey is specifically aimed at student and
newly-qualified (in the last two years) veterinary nurses, as well as the
clinical coaches responsible for their practical training at RCVS-approved
training practices (TPs).
The survey, which can be completed in between 15 to 25
minutes, asks a number of questions including around preferred sources of
mental health support, levels of support available in education and work
settings, levels of stress encountered, discrimination and bullying in
educational and work settings, confidence, the impact of the RCVS, and coping
strategies for stress and mental ill-health.
The aim of the survey is to provide veterinary nurses,
particularly students, with the opportunity to provide the Mind Matters
Initiative with information that will help it tailor specific events and
projects for the profession.
Lisa Quigley, Mind Matters Manager, explains: “There is a
bit of a research gap when it comes to the mental health and wellbeing of
veterinary nurses – particularly student VNs – and we are seeking to address
this, with this survey being a crucial first step.
“Mind Matters is committed to listening to the people that
we want to reach, to help us understand the issues they face and what matters
to them, and so if you are a student or newly-qualified vet nurse, or a
clinical coach who supports them, we really want to hear from you, whether or
not you have had experience of mental ill-health and/or needed support
yourself. The survey itself has been developed with the input of veterinary
nurses and student veterinary nurses and we are very grateful for their time
and effort.
“All the responses will be treated in the strictest
confidence but will be used to shape future projects, including an upcoming
roundtable event on Student VN wellbeing and the Mind Matters Mental Health
Research Symposium.”
The survey can be accessed via the Projects section of the
Mind Matters website.
