Becca Thompson, head of nursing services at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists
Anderson Moores Implements Innovative New Nursing Structure
2 years ago 
1284 views
A leading UK animal hospital has introduced an innovative nursing structure to create clear career development opportunities across its 94-strong team.
Linnaeus-owned Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, based in Winchester, Hampshire, has implemented a pioneering nursing structure aimed at providing nurses with increased support, leadership opportunities and career progression.
It will be led by head of nursing services Becca Thompson, who will be supported by six separate team leaders, each with specific responsibility for separate disciplines and areas within the hospital.
Becca, who joined Anderson Moores in 2014, said: “We have put a huge amount of thought into how this model can improve career pathways for our whole nursing team, from our patient care assistants and student nurses through to our highly-qualified RVNs.
“It moves away from the more traditional flat model and places an emphasis on giving our team balance. It will generate wider opportunities for career progression and allows our nurses to identify avenues which might be of personal interest.
“Those avenues can be quite diverse, for example, recruitment, rota management, clinical standards, mental health and wellbeing, or training and development so there are fabulous opportunities ahead for our team.”
David Walker, director at Anderson Moores, said: “Our nurses play a pivotal role in providing the very highest quality of care and service to our patients and clients. This move shows how much value we place on our nursing team here at Anderson Moores.
“We feel it’s essential our nurses feel truly valued and are able to reach their full potential in a supportive environment, which is why we’re delighted to launch this new nursing structure.”
Linnaeus chief nursing officer, Andrea Jeffery, has spearheaded the creation of a unique central support veterinary nursing team (CSVNT) at Linnaeus to help introduce and oversee this bold, new initiative.
Dr Jeffery said: “We’re really excited to see the implementation of this new nursing structure at Anderson Moores, which, as part of Linnaeus, is very much leading the way with this approach to supporting its nursing team.
“We place a real emphasis on the importance our nurses play in helping us provide a better world for pets and this move really highlights the opportunities and support on offer at Anderson Moores.”
Dr Jeffrey has recently completed a PhD investigating the factors that influence retention of staff within the vet nursing profession and is passionate about the new model.
She added: “Making sure our nurses feel valued and can progress in their careers is the driving force behind introducing this innovative Linnaeus nursing structure within our hospitals and practices.
“The aim is to fully support the progression of our team members at all levels, aiding their career advancement by providing a clear pathway forward and upwards, from PCA to SVN to RVN and beyond.
“It will also create a number of opportunities for advancement within our nationwide group of practices, so we’re very excited to see our nurses forge ahead and achieve their ambitions.”
Anderson Moores offers specialist care in anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, emergency and critical care, feline hyperthyroid clinic, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery.
For more information on Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, which is part of the Linnaeus Group, visit https://www.andersonmoores.com/home/.
More from Linnaeus Group
- West Midlands communication agency celebrates national award for veterinary marketing campaign
- Senior receptionist celebrates 10 years at Ashby vet practice
- Best 'paws' forward for worthy cat cause
- Dog cheats death thanks to surgery skills of Cheshire vets
- Elderly dog given new lease of life following complex spinal surgery
3 hours ago