Lauren Emmett, head of nursing at North Downs Specialist Referrals in Bletchingley, Surrey, who is celebrating after gaining a distinction in her VMG diploma in veterinary leadership and management.
NDSR Nursing Head Achieves Top Qualification
1 month ago 
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The head of nursing at a renowned Surrey animal hospital is celebrating after gaining a prestigious industry qualification in leadership and management.
Lauren Emmett, who is head of nursing services at Linnaeus-owned North Downs Specialist Referrals in Bletchingley, earned a distinction in attaining her Veterinary Management Group (VMG) level 5 diploma.
Lauren said completing the two-year qualification would be a huge help in her key leadership role at NDSR, where she heads a large nursing team of more than 100.
She explained: “The course was really helpful in presenting the theory and principles behind leadership and management in a context that is relevant to the veterinary profession.
“It highlights tools and techniques that can assist me in my day-to-day role such as PESTLE strategic planning and analysis, project management tools, and financial calculations.
“It also stresses the importance of investing time and effort into your own development.
“The course is the equivalent of a foundation degree and is made up of eight modules. I was able to select ones which were of particular interest to me.
“I chose subjects I knew I wanted to learn more about, those where I felt I had gaps in my knowledge and also modules that were relevant to my role at NDSR.”
Lauren is delighted by her success and will now be taking a well-earned break from her studies to apply her newly-gain skills and knowledge at NDSR.
She remains ambitious to progress her career even further, though, and feels sure she will be seeking further qualifications in the future.
Lauren added: “Every day is a learning day and I still feel like there is so much for me to learn!
“I certainly feel fortunate for the opportunities I have enjoyed here at NDSR and know that such opportunities are quite rare in the veterinary nursing field.
“My next goal is to try and develop as a leader at a more strategic level, without giving up my passion for veterinary nursing, so I will continue to seek out new opportunities and push myself outside of my comfort zone.
“I’m not planning any more courses just yet but I do predict I will plan to do another qualification in the not-too-distant future.
“I am certainly interested in attending regular congresses to continue my own professional development and knowledge alongside doing my best to provide opportunities to develop and guide others within our amazing nursing team at NDSR.”
NDSR hospital director Gerry Polton is full of praise for Lauren’s dedication, determination and ongoing commitment.
He said: “Lauren joined NDSR as Head of Nursing Services in early 2021 and has made a remarkable impact.
“She is passionate about a continuously developing a nursing team that incorporates everyone’s strengths and strives to encourage nurses and patient care assistants to pursue a career which they enjoy and in which they can develop.
“To help achieve that, Lauren introduced our Nursing Pathways initiative which has been an overwhelming success.
“She’s certainly led by example since arriving at NDSR. First, she successfully gained a certificate in veterinary leadership and management and has now gone even further to gain a distinction in her diploma. We’re all very proud of her and her achievements.”
NDSR offers specialist-led services in anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery and spinal surgery.
For more information, visit https://www.ndsr.co.uk/home or search for North Downs Specialist Referrals on social media.
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