The Confident Head Veterinary Nurse

Leadership & Management for Veterinary Nurses Ready to Lead

Practical Leadership Skills for Real Veterinary Practice

Because nobody prepares you for what leadership really feels like...

Welcome...

Nobody tells you that becoming a Head Veterinary Nurse changes far more than your job title.

One day you're nursing patients alongside your colleagues.

Next, you're expected to lead a team, manage difficult conversations, support colleagues through challenging days, juggle rotas and budgets, mentor students, improve standards, keep everyone motivated and somehow still find time to be the veterinary nurse you love being.

It's no wonder so many Head Veterinary Nurses quietly ask themselves...

"Am I doing enough?"
"Why does this feel harder than I expected?"
"Will I ever feel confident in this role?"

If you've ever had those thoughts... You're not alone. And you certainly aren't failing.

Leadership isn't something most of us are taught. We learn as we go, often whilst carrying the responsibility of an entire nursing team.

That's exactly why we created this course.

Not simply to teach management theory... But to help you become the confident, compassionate and capable leader your team deserves—without losing the veterinary nurse you are.
Head Veterinary Nurse coaching a student vet nurse

This course was created to support you...

Whether you're stepping into your first Head Veterinary Nurse role or you've been leading for years but still feel like you're learning every day, this course will help you build both the practical leadership skills and personal confidence needed to thrive.

Together we'll explore how to:
✔ Lead with confidence, even when you don't have all the answers.
✔ Have difficult conversations without dreading them.
✔ Build a motivated, supportive nursing team.
✔ Create a positive workplace culture where people feel valued.
✔ Balance leadership responsibilities with your own wellbeing.
✔ Develop the business knowledge that helps your practice succeed.

Because great leadership isn't about being perfect. It's about continuing to learn, grow and support the people around you.

Need your practice to fund your CPD?

We know investing in your own development isn't always a personal decision.

If your practice has a CPD budget available, we'll invoice them directly, making it easy for you to access your training without paying upfront.

Learning Outcomes

  • Build confidence in yourself as a leader

    Discover your own leadership style.

    Understand your strengths.

    Develop confidence when leadership feels outside your comfort zone.

    Build emotional intelligence and resilience.

  • Create a team people want to be part of

    Effective communication.

    Giving constructive feedback.

    Performance reviews.

    Motivating your team.

    Managing conflict.

    Creating psychological safety.

  • Lead your practice with confidence

    Financial awareness.

    Stock control.

    Rotas.

    Recruitment.

    Marketing.

    Quality improvement.

    Clinical coaching.

    Risk management.

Don't just take our word for it...

5 star rating

Really enjoyable course

Kathy Bellworthy

Loved this course. The presenter is very easy to listen to and I love the comprehensive handout and the real-life experience she refers to with little anecdo...

Read More

Loved this course. The presenter is very easy to listen to and I love the comprehensive handout and the real-life experience she refers to with little anecdotes. I have learnt a lot!

Read Less

My promise to you

I've spent many years supporting veterinary professionals through education, and one thing has become very clear.

Being a Head Veterinary Nurse can be one of the most rewarding roles in practice... But it can also feel one of the loneliest. My hope is that when you finish this course, you'll not only have developed valuable leadership and management skills...

You'll also feel reassured that you're not alone on this journey.

Because every confident Head Veterinary Nurse started exactly where you are today.

Warm wishes,

Vicki Stout Founder, Innovet CPD

Some important points you need to know.

  • How long is this course and do I get a certificate?

    Upon completion of this 7-Hour on-demand CPD Course, you will receive a certificate to download and keep for your records.

  • How long do I have access to this course?

    Great news is that you have lifetime access with your enrolment, so completely learn at your own pace and no stressful deadlines.

  • What do I get with this course?

    This course comes with a comprehensive course workbook, interactive activities to complete and a 45 question multiple choice quiz at the end to release your CPD accredited certificate for 7 Hours/Credits.

  • How is this course presented?

    Our courses are more than just a webinar.

    You will be taken through easy to digest bitesize chunks of learning, via a series of informative tutor video presented slides.

    Research shows, that online learning knowledge is easier to retain and absorb if video content is used rather than just audio, which is easier to just switch off from and become distracted. This way you can have a human connection to your tutor which is so important.

    So that's what we do...

Instructor(s)

Senior Instructor and Resident Rehab CPD Presenter Emily Ashdown RVN, DIP A PHYS, ISFMCERT, CSMC, MRAMP, MIAAT, AHPR

I am a qualified Animal Physiotherapist & Registered Veterinary Nurse. I have been working with animals since I was 16 where I started as a kennel assistant at a rescue kennels. I then trained in my local practice to become an RVN. I have worked at different practices including the RSPCA Birmingham animal hospital where I gained a lot of experience and even worked on the ITV show Give a pet a home! I shortly went back to private practice and Became a Deputy head nurse where I found my passion for rehabilitation by using class IV laser therapy. Whilst working in this practice I researched the different types of Lasers and set up clinics for primarily Geriatric patients. I became very passionate about rehabilitation and in particular the difference Laser therapy was making to many of my clients and with my own working cocker spaniels. I then decided to pursue a Diploma in Animal Physiotherapy with the college of Animal Physiotherapists. I started to work for Companion Animal health as a product specialist in primarily Laser therapy but also other rehabilitation products and regenerative medicine. I still work for Companion as I have a real passion for teaching practitioner’s how to use Laser successfully but I also bought my own Laser and set up Worcestershire Animal Therapy where I offer a mobile Physiotherapy and Laser service. I also Do some work for Bromsgrove Canine Hydro and Physio where I enjoy seeing many different cases. From time to time I also still Locum in emergency Vet clinics and I teach Animal First Aid. In my spare time I’m also a member of the IAAT Committee to help push the Musculoskeletal industry and I’m fully registered as a RAMP member. I also have a certificate in Feline Medicine and would like to educate further in rehabilitation for feline’s.

Course curriculum

    1. Emily Business Introduction-HD 1080p

      FREE PREVIEW
    2. Introduction

      FREE PREVIEW
    3. Workbook & Downloadable Content

    1. Module 1 Introduction

      FREE PREVIEW
    2. Unit 1: Leveraging your strengths as an RVN and getting to know yourself as a leader

    3. Unit 2: Exploring leadership, what it means and how to be an effective leader when this isn’t your strong point

    4. Unit 3: Communication skills, performance reviews, giving feedback and appraisals

    5. Unit 4: Problem-solving, team dynamics and motivation

    6. Unit 4; Problem Solving Task

    7. Unit 4 Continued: Team dynamics and motivation

    8. Unit 5: Stress management, resilience, and emotional intelligence both in the head nurse and managing stress burnout in the team. Creating and nurturing a safe psychological work environment

    9. Unit 6: Diversity, Inclusion and Dignity in the Workplace

    10. End of Module 1

    1. Module 2, Introduction

    2. Unit 1: Transitioning to Management

    3. Unit 1, Management Task

    4. Unit 2: Roles of a Practice manager

    5. Unit 3: Financial, Marketing & Staff training

    6. Unit 4: Staff training, Stock control, Purchasing & task

    7. Unit 5 Pricing & Charging, Conflicts, Recruitment & Rotas

    8. End of Mod 2 (tips to be succesful)

    1. Module 3 Introduction

    2. Unit 1 Challenges for a new manager

    3. Unit 1 Identifying Challenges Task

    4. Unit 2 How to manage quality improvement

    5. Unit 3: How to do a clinical audit

    6. Unit 3; Clinical Audit Task

    7. Unit 3 Continued, Managing Quality Improvement Projects

    8. Unit 4: Health and safety

    9. Unit 4 Health & Safety Video task

    10. Unit 4 Continued, Risk Assessments

    11. Unit 4 Risk Assessment task

    12. Unit 5: How to be an effective clinical coach

    13. End of Module 3

    1. End Of Course Quiz

About this course

  • £129.00
  • 35 lessons
  • 2 hours of video content

Other related courses you may like!