MMI news: Student and newly-qualified VNs invited to complete survey to inform future mental health support projects

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (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: www.vetmindmatters.org/projects/