Meet Amy Van Rullen, Practice Manager at Perth Cat Hospital
Amy studied her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing with AVT in 2016. At the time, Amy completed her work placement at Perth Cat Hospital. Amy continued working at Perth Cat Hospital, and has worked her way up to Practice Manager! Hearing of Amy’s success, passion and determination makes us so proud.
If you’re passionate about animals, in particular cats, continue reading to hear about Amy’s study experience!
What were you doing before you studied with AVT?
I originally was studying a Bachelor of Science in Laboratory Medicine. I love pathology but quickly realised lab life wasn’t for me and I was desperate for something a bit more fast-paced and hands-on.
What led you to pursue training with AVT?
After realising lab med wasn’t for me, I set out to look for something that would still allow me to utilise my passion for science. My sister applied for her veterinary nurse certificate that year and encouraged me to look into it. After chatting with the team at AVT, I was convinced this was the right path for me!
What was your favourite part of the course?
I loved the practical side of things – going to Murdoch Uni for surgical scrubbing training, having ferrets in for smallies handling training, and dissections were the best!
“As practice manager, I oversee the daily running of the clinic. I manage staff, control and order stock, and of course, the usual nursing fun like monitoring anaesthetics, completing lab work, fear-free cat handling, and performing procedures such as venepuncture, catheter placement, and triage. Never a dull moment!”
What skills did you gain while studying?
Theory is fantastic and super important, but I found the most important skills were handling and animal behaviour knowledge. Fear-free handling and understanding an animal’s behaviour in the clinic are so important for our safety as well as the animal’s wellbeing. Handling and behaviour knowledge is often undervalued in clinics, so getting a good understanding of this as a student has really set me up for success.
What’s a typical day at the Perth Cat Hospital like for you?
We are WA’s only feline-exclusive clinic. As practice manager, I oversee the daily running of the clinic. I manage staff, control and order stock, and of course, the usual nursing fun like monitoring anaesthetics, completing lab work, fear-free cat handling, and performing procedures such as venepuncture, catheter placement, and triage. Never a dull moment!
What would you say to someone thinking about studying?
Network! Get to know staff, students, and clinic contacts! It’s a small industry and having lots of support is important. Also, find a prac placement that supports your learning. Nothing compares to a supportive workplace that gives you hands-on experience. It will set you up for a great future in the industry.
A lot of people choose the industry because they love animals and don’t like humans. Be warned! Human interaction is a massive part of the job and you need to be able to build rapport with clients to be a good nurse.
The industry is very emotionally taxing, so make sure you have a strong support system and a good mental health care plan! Ask for help when you need it and look after yourself. If you set yourself up right, you will love this job. It’s so unique and rewarding.
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