Tiffany Swift, Winner - Vet Nurse of the Year 2014

Tiffany Swift, winner of the 2014 VNCA Hills Vet Nurse of theYear Award shares some of her thoughts... 

JG: Congratulations Tiffany on winning the 2014 VNCA Hills Vet Nurse of the Year Award – that’s such a fantastic achievement!

How did feel when they announced your name at the awards ceremony?

Complete shock, the other finalists were such amazing nurses. How could it be me?

JG: How long have you been a Vet Nurse and what got you started in this industry?

I've been working at Murwillumbah Vet clinic since 2008, I started out as a school based trainee

JG:  Do you have a special area of interest?  If so, how have you developed an interest in that particular area?

Client communications is my area of interest. I developed this through a personal reminder system, consult nursing, and my tafe course (which I'm currently studying) 

JG: Which parts of your job do you enjoy the most? Why?

I get a heap of satisfaction when I see clients treating their pets well because of our input and education 

JG: What is the biggest challenge you face in your job?

The biggest challenge is meeting client expectations within their limitations for the best outcome for the patient.

JG: Do you have any plans to further your development as a veterinary nurse?

I'm currently studying my Diploma in Small Animal Practise Management, which is due to finish in June 2015. At this stage I've got two otions which I have been thinking about to further my development.  One is small animal emergency and critical care, and the other is to complete my equine nursing.

JG: What are your plans for the future?

I'm not sure as to what the future holds at this stage, but it will definitely be in the animal care industry.   

If you would like to read Tiffany's amazing nomination letter - click here

If you would like to know more about the Veterinary Nurse's Council of Australia (VNCA) and the fabulous work they do - click here

Tiffany Swift is a veterinary nurse at the Murwillumbah Veterinary Clinic, a mixed practise in northern NSW.  She has been working there for 6 years and in that time she has completed a two year school based traineeship, a two year apprenticeship and  a Certificate 4 in Vet Nursing and is now in the process of completing her Diploma of Veterinary Nursing.  Her areas of speciality are practise organisation and client communications.

Tiffany shares her home with two English staffys  - Rhylee 11yrs old and Keisha 6months old.