Work smarter, nurse stronger: Transforming practice through nurse utilisation (LVS25)

Veterinary nurses are highly trained clinical professionals, yet the utilisation of nursing skills often falls short of their full potential in everyday practice. At a time when the profession faces increasing caseloads, workforce shortages, and rising client expectations, enabling nurses to work at the top of their ability is not only beneficial — it is essential.

This session explores how practices can “work smarter and nurse stronger” by transforming the way they utilise nursing skills across the clinical team. Drawing on insights from the BVNA 2024 Survey, it highlights current challenges around underutilisation of nursing skills and the impact this has on patient care, client confidence, team morale, and retention.

Delegates will learn how effective utilisation of nursing skills enhances outcomes for patients, strengthens client relationships, builds team resilience, and supports a sustainable business model. The session also introduces the ADKAR model as a practical framework for implementing meaningful, long-lasting change.

Attendees will leave with clear, actionable strategies to empower veterinary nurses, optimise workflow, and build a practice culture that recognises and values the full breadth of nursing expertise.

• Understand the current challenges around the utilisation of nursing skills.
• Identify opportunities to optimise the use of veterinary nursing skills within practice.
• Evaluate everyday workflows to determine where nursing skills can be applied more effectively and safely to improve efficiency and care quality.
• Apply a structured change model to support improved nursing skill utilisation.
• Recognise the wider benefits of effective nursing skill utilisation.