It’s Vet Nurse Awareness Month, and to celebrate the brilliant Vet Nurses in our VMG team, we put them in the spotlight to find out more.
Next we have VMG Director, Louise Newman, Head of Veterinary Operations, Blue Cross
What inspired you to begin a career in nursing?
I was initially drawn to veterinary nursing because of my love of animals, but very quickly I discovered that the role is just as much about people. Supporting owners through difficult moments, advocating for patients, and working as part of a close, multidisciplinary team really resonated with me.
I started training to be a veterinary nurse in 2001, working at a handful of private practices across south London before joining Blue Cross in 2010, where I was exposed early on to the broader impact veterinary services can have, particularly within a charity setting. It was that combination of clinical care, compassion and teamwork that made veterinary nursing feel like the right profession for me.
I should be open that I am not currently on the RVN register. I stepped off the register several years ago after moving away from clinical practice, as I didn’t feel I was keeping sufficiently up to date with new developments or completing the level of CPD required to justify remaining registered.
What did you find most rewarding about being a veterinary nurse?
What I found most rewarding was the opportunity to make a real difference every day – not just to patients, but to the people attached to them. Being able to support owners during stressful or emotional times, while ensuring high standards of care, was incredibly fulfilling.
I also found huge satisfaction in supporting colleagues: mentoring students, coaching newer team members and helping teams work well together. That enjoyment in developing others was one of the earliest signs that leadership might be where I could make the greatest long‑term impact.
How did you first get into leadership?
My move into leadership happened quite naturally. I found myself increasingly drawn to roles that involved supporting people, solving problems and improving how services worked.
Within Blue Cross, I progressed through roles including senior nurse of kennels, staff nurse of nights, volunteer coordinator and eventually Practice Manager at the Merton hospital. In 2022, I joined the charity’s flagship Victoria hospital, where I became the first veterinary nurse to lead the hospital in Blue Cross’s 125‑year history. That role was a significant moment for me and reinforced my belief in the value of nursing leadership within the profession.
I have since moved into my current role as Head of Veterinary Operations at Blue Cross, where I now lead our four veterinary hospitals.
What transferable skills have you found the most useful for progressing in your career?
Many of the skills I developed as a veterinary nurse have been directly transferable into leadership, particularly:
- Communication – especially in complex or emotionally charged situations
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
- Organisation and prioritisation
- Adaptability and resilience
Veterinary nursing teaches you to think critically, manage pressure and work collaboratively, all of which are essential in senior leadership roles.
How did you grow the additional skills that you needed?
I was very aware that leadership requires intentional development, and that it’s important to upskill before you need to. Throughout my career I have actively sought CPD, internal development opportunities and peer learning.
I am currently completing the ILM/VMG Level 5 Diploma in Veterinary Leadership and Management, which has supported my transition into more strategic leadership by strengthening my understanding of change management, organisational culture and systems leadership. I have also benefited from professional networks, shared learning spaces and structured leadership discussions, including through VMG activity.
Developing these skills early helped me step into senior roles with confidence and credibility.
How do you bring compassion and empathy to your role as a leader/in practice?
Compassion and empathy underpin how I lead. My nursing background has shaped my belief that people do their best work when they feel heard, supported and valued.
As a leader, that means being visible, approachable and honest, particularly during times of pressure or change. I focus on creating psychological safety, encouraging open dialogue and recognising the realities faced by veterinary teams. Looking after our people is not separate from delivering good care — it enables it.
Why did you leave nursing to get into management?
I don’t see my career as having left nursing so much as having applied nursing values in a different way.
Moving away from clinical practice allowed me to influence services and support teams at a wider scale. While I no longer practise clinically, my identity as a veterinary nurse continues to shape my leadership approach.
I am incredibly passionate about the veterinary nursing profession, its regulation and the importance of a protected title. That is actually one of the reasons I chose to step off the register when I did – I didn’t feel it was right to remain registered if I couldn’t fully meet the CPD and clinical currency requirements.
I still take part in “back to the floor” days to maintain connection with practice, while being very conscious of my limits. It is a regret that I didn’t maintain my registration, and I often say I would like to return to the register in the future, but realistically that requires time and commitment I don’t currently have.
Leadership has become another way for me to care – by creating the conditions in which veterinary professionals can thrive and deliver the best possible care.
Thank you Louise. If you are looking to get into leadership or would like to develop your skills to help your team, have a look at our educational suite of CPD, the iVLM (introduction to leadership and management), and the CVLM/DVLM.
