Gaining confidence: how being nominated for an award drove me forward

It still feels a bit surreal to even think that I was a BVA Young Vet of the Year 2022 finalist and that it has been nearly a year since the process began.

The thrill of being nominated

My nomination came as a bit of a surprise - the first I knew about it was when I received a call to say I was a finalist. Being only three years qualified and two years into my practice's sustainability journey, I was shocked even to be nominated, never mind being a finalist. I felt incredibly proud that they had taken the time to consider me.

I still feel extremely grateful to have been a finalist and ultimately I took this opportunity to reflect upon what it meant to be nominated. I have definitely struggled with my confidence in the past and a degree of perfectionism has sometimes affected my ability to enjoy the privileged position we are in as vets. I found that knowing both my colleagues and the judging committee felt I had achieved enough to be considered a finalist really boosted my confidence and made the hours of hard work feel worthwhile. The evening celebrating with my colleagues and friends from across the Vets4Pets team is something I will never forget and will always be a highlight of my early career.

Driving my work in sustainability

It has given me the opportunity and confidence to continue my practice's sustainability journey and take more opportunities within the Vets4Pets group, including projects in low flow anaesthesia. I have gone on to complete training through the carbon literacy project, which inspired me to continue conversations about sustainability within the veterinary profession, something I am deeply passionate about.

I believe that small changes made by all will ultimately result in significant changes to the environment. It is sometimes difficult to find the time, energy and motivation to take on additional projects or responsibility when working full-time as a vet, but knowing that my team appreciate the difference I am trying to make continues to push me forward.

Supporting early career vets

I would encourage anyone who is considering nominating a young vet to do it! It may seem like small thing to nominate someone, but it can really make a difference for the person being nominated. The first few years in practice are such a steep learning curve and it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Knowing that your colleagues support you and appreciate you can help change your perspective on the veterinary career.

I have been so fortunate to have a supportive and caring team who have allowed me to develop my interests and share my ideas. I feel we owe it to the next generation of young vets to continue to encourage, celebrate and support them as we make necessary changes for a more sustainable future.