Claire Thomas, an Emergency and Critical Care Vet Nurse at DWR has just been awarded the Improve International Louise O’Dwyer Legacy Scholarship for 2022, which means that she wins a free place on the Nurses Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing programme.
Claire spent over twenty years in general practice and last year took the bold move to follow her career aspirations. She was successful in her application of an Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) Vet Nurse with us at DWR Veterinary Specialists.
Claire said “It was a terrifying step, and the last year has been a huge challenge with a very steep learning curve, however it has also reinforced my desire to progress my career in such an excellent clinical setting. I work with an incredibly supportive and highly skilled team at DWR who encourage nurses to think on their feet and to use their skills within the veterinary team.”
About the award selection Claire said “I am truly honoured and incredibly excited to have been chosen for the Louise O’Dwyer Legacy Scholarship for 2022. I would like to say a huge thank you to Louise’s family and Improve International for this amazing opportunity. Louise was an inspirational nurse who always promoted autonomy within the profession and encouraged nurses to follow their own interests in a specialist field. I hope to be able to continue Louise’s legacy by inspiring other nurses to follow their own aspirations at any stage of their career.”
The ECC department at DWR is expanding with the development of a brand-new building with a dedicated Intensive Care Unit and Emergency and Critical Care Ward, allowing this essential department to receive patients and provide a triaging service and dedicated care for these critically ill patients.
Claire said “I am hugely excited to be a part of this expansion. I hope to use this scholarship to further my knowledge and develop practical skills to enhance my role as an ECC nurse and provide the best clinical care to my patients.”
