VetNurse.co.uk and Training-Progress have joined forces to run a competition where veterinary nurses can win prizes for making short films of yourselves demonstrating nursing techniques, filmed on your mobile phone.

There’s no filming skill required. Just get someone to point the phone so that the subject fills the screen. Make sure they hold the camera in landscape orientation, and hold it still. And speak clearly. That’s all there is to it. Then upload your film to a file sharing site like Dropbox or wetransfer, and send a link to your film to support@vetnurse.co.uk.

All films will then be subject to peer-approval, and those that pass will be shared on Brains and Drains, the new YouTube channel for the veterinary profession, where they will join a growing free resource designed to help veterinary nurses, technicians and veterinary nursing assistants around the world.

Ideas for things you might like to film a demonstration of include:

  • Clipping up/prep surgical site for routine procedures
  • How to prepare a blood smear
  • How to prepare a diff quick slide
  • How to package items for the autoclave
  • How to care for dental elevators
  • How to muzzle train a dog
  • How to position a dog/cat for chest x-rays
  • How to fold gowns for sterilsation
  • How to clip a cat’s claws
  • Tips for gentle cat handling
  • How to prepare a kennel for a rabbit
  • Tips for keeping patients warm during surgery
  • Physiotherapy for geriatric inpatients

The best five films will win £100 each from VetNurse.co.uk. The overall winner will also get a £50 high street voucher from Training Progress, which is also providing another 4 runner up £20 voucher prizes.

Aside from the chance to win, there are lots of other reasons for making movies. First, it's an achievement to have a film published on our peer-reviewed channel, which can be a nice addition to your CV.

Secondly, it’s a great opportunity to showcase veterinary nursing skills as an example to those practices which don’t make the most of their nursing team.

Lastly, you may have something else you’d like to promote, such as a training organisation or educational establishment. If that is the case, we’ll happily include a big plug for it!

If you have any questions, or need any help or advice, making a film, contact me (Arlo) at support@vetnurse.co.uk

The competition closes at the end of July 2021.

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.