The College of Animal Welfare would like to thank all delegates, speakers and exhibitors who attended TP Congress on the 19 and 20 March 2018 for making the event such a success. The event, which was sponsored by VN Times, saw clinical coaches from across the country come together to share ideas, and listen to lectures and workshops on how to best support student veterinary nurses in practice.

When asked what delegates most enjoyed about the event, the vibe was summed up by comments such as “I learnt so much to take back and use in practice”, “I was expecting to learn how to help my student but help for myself too was fantastic” and “Really inspiring and relevant speakers at the year’s event – very enjoyable!”; with one delegate summing up the event when asked about what could make TP Congress better next year, by replying “More of the same!”.

Due to the fantastic feedback received about last year’s venue, TP Congress returned to the beautiful Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa near Silverstone in Northamptonshire, providing onsite accommodation for delegates who had travelled some distance to attend. A commercial exhibition was held throughout the congress, as well as a happy hour on the first evening; giving delegates the perfect opportunity to network with fellow clinical coaches and share their trials and tribulations.

This year’s congress included lectures on mental health support, coaching skills and resilience as well as interactive sessions on OSCE success and challenging delegate’s creativity when using the Nursing Progress Log (NPL).

Congress organiser, Tracey Croucher, said “TP Congress has now been running for 13 years and provides a unique opportunity for those involved in the training of student veterinary nurses to gain CPD relevant to their role and come together with other clinical coaches; sharing experiences and best practice. It is always a pleasure to see so many enthusiastic clinical coaches who are passionate about creating the next generation of veterinary nurses come together under one roof”. She continued “Each year we listen carefully to delegate feedback to ensure that we continue to build on the event to make it current and relevant. With this in mind plans for the 2019 will soon be underway.”

Those interested in keeping up-to-date with news on next year’s TP Congress can register their interest at www.caw.ac.uk/tpc.

Time is running out to book onto this year’s Head Nurse Congress at the discounted price, with the early bird rate ending in just over two weeks’ time (31 March 2018).

Head Nurse Congress, sponsored by the Veterinary Management Group (formerly VPMA), is a two-day event packed full of useful information and practical tips that will help to make the day-to-day lives of head nurses and practice managers across the country a whole lot easier.

With topics including wellbeing and mental health, team profiling, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), recruitment, leadership styles, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and people management, there is sure to be something for everyone. What’s more, being set in the stunning countryside location of Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa, what’s not to love?

Feedback from last year’s event was glowing, with delegates describing the event as “engaging”, “inspirational” and “feeling motivated to put it [learning] into practice”.

Head Nurse Congress is held on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 May, but remember, you only have until 31 March 2018 to secure your place at the early bird rate of £249 + VAT for the whole event or £155+VAT for one day. To book a place or view the agenda visit www.caw.ac.uk/hnc or call The College of Animal Welfare on 01480 422060.

The College of Animal Welfare, Royal Veterinary College, Boltons Park Farm, Hawkshead Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1NB.

On Tuesday 27 March, between 1 and 4pm, the team at Potters Bar are opening their doors to clinical coaches, mentors and employers for an informal drop in session and refreshments: Tea/coffee and Easter treats!

Tutors, Assessors and Clinical Tutors from The College of Animal Welfare will be on hand to discuss all aspects of our veterinary nursing and animal care courses including Training Practice Approval, work placements and BSc programmes.

Do you want to know more about?

• What, and how, your students are learning at college?
• What is expected from students in regards to assignments and exams?
• What support we can provide to you and your students, both at college and at work?
• What other courses we can offer you or your team?
• Getting involved in training (if you are not already doing so) and find out if it is right for your business?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then our ‘Meet the Tutors’ event is for you!

Full details can be found on our website. This is an informal event drop in event, however to get an indication of numbers we ask that you please book a place online.