RCVS Mind Matters (MMI) is leading a series of initiatives that aim to tackle incivility in the workplace, empower vet nurses to challenge it, and encourage work environments that make employee wellbeing a priority.

The College is currently collaborating with VetLed, a leading provider of Human Factors skills training for veterinary professionals and the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), to launch the “VetLed Safe to Speak Up campaign” on the 2nd May.

The campaign aims to empower all members of the veterinary team to talk openly about their mistakes, concerns and new ideas by raising awareness of the importance of psychological safety.

The College says psychological safety is the belief that there won’t be negative repercussions as a result of vocalising thoughts, ideas or concerns, and is a beneficial value for practices to adopt.

Safe to Speak Up will include a social media campaign that raises awareness of the benefits of psychological safety and provides advice for how workplaces and individuals can apply psychological safety in their practice.

The Safe to Speak Up campaign will also feature a day of interactive workshops focussed on psychological safety on the 11th May.

The day will include free-to-attend sessions from VetLed that will explain what psychological safety is and how it can be created and maintained in practice.

Later, there will be four Veterinary Nurse Think Tanks, 90-minute interactive learning and discussion sessions that cover key Human Factor themes:

• 5 May 2022, 7.30pm – 9.00pm – Values and Identity
• 21 July 2022, 7.30pm – 9.00pm – Everyday Leadership
• 20 October 2022, 7.30pm – 9.00pm – Innovation and Problem Solving
• 19 January 2023, 7.30pm – 9.00pm – When things go wrong: The importance of a Just Culture

Lisa Quigley, Mind Matters Initiative Manager, said: “Every single vet nurse should feel comfortable and psychologically supported in their role, and we hope that the training and awareness campaigns that we are running over the upcoming year will ensure that more VNs will feel empowered to talk about their mental health and wellbeing at work.”

Alex Taylor, BVNA President, said: “The BVNA are so pleased to be part of the Civility Training, Think Tanks, and Safe to Speak Up Campaign, especially as these fall in line with our current theme of 'building resilience'.

"We recognise how important the mental health of veterinary nurses is, not just for their own wellbeing, but for the good of the workforce too.”

For more information about the MMI training sessions or to book a place on our Civility Training https://www.vetmindmatters.org/training/

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