North Downs Specialist Referrals (NDSR), in Bletchingley, has introduced what it says is an innovative new structure for its nursing team which provides more and better career pathways, a greater importance for its nursing staff, and a better work-life balance.

With the new model, the 90-strong nursing team will increase by around five per cent, with four new Nurse Manager roles with specific operational, quality, pastoral and training responsibilities. 

The practice says the objective is to encourage nursing staff, from all areas of the practice to develop career pathways which play to their strengths and personal interests, with job shares also available.  

Lauren Emmett, Head of Nursing Services, said: “We’re over the moon to be launching what is a really innovative new structure here at NDSR. It moves away from the more traditional flat model and places an emphasis on giving our team balance and really clear career pathways in whichever area their passion lies. 

"The introduction of our four Nurse Managers will allow them to spend 60 to 80 per cent of their time on the clinical floor in the hospital, making them visible and available to support, and work alongside our nursing community. 

"Each Nurse Manager will have a number of team leaders working with them, who will support other RVNs, SVNs and nursing assistants. 

"These additional roles provide more 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. 

“Nurses who have leadership ambitions but may not necessarily want to manage people on a day-to-day basis can still utilise their skills to support colleagues and the business by becoming clinical coaches and by sharing their experience and knowledge within certain disciplines and fields.

Gerry Polton, clinical director at NDSR, said: “We believe this new structure really is iconoclastic, hopefully defining a new ‘gold standard’ in veterinary nursing. What we’re doing is allowing individuals to create their own career pathways within the business. We’re giving them valuable support and allowing them to forge ahead in leadership roles, should they wish. 

“We’re confident this will benefit patients, clients, referring vets and, of course, the entire nursing team, which will offer us added support, while also receiving added support and structure to build on the fantastic skillsets we have here.”  

For more information, visit https://www.ndsr.co.uk/home.

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