Veterinary Nursing and Care champions celebrated at CAFRE awards

Date published: 31 March 2026

Greenmount Campus, Antrim welcomed families, friends, industry partners and work colleagues to recognise the achievements of Level 2 and Level 3 learners.

Dr Eric Long, Head of Education at CAFRE, offered a special welcome to Nigel Trimble, Director of the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System (NIFAIS) within DAERA’s Veterinary Service to the Awards ceremony. Nigel delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking speech and presented the awards.

Addressing the audience, Mr Paul McHenry, CAFRE Director remarked: “I want to congratulate each of you on reaching this significant milestone in your Veterinary professions. Your Level 2 and Level 3 awards are an indication of your resilience, determination, and dedication to your career. You should be very proud of what you have achieved.” 

Commenting that: “Over half of all households in the UK own a pet, the demand for skilled veterinary care support and veterinary nursing staff is at an all-time high. This rise in the need for pet care is a testament to the significance of your chosen profession, and I have no doubt that you will excel in your field,” added Mr McHenry.

Mrs Claire Morris, interim Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at CAFRE addressed the audience highlighting the achievements of learners.

“Level 3 qualifications are attained alongside employment within a Veterinary Practice. Learners aspire to enter onto the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) register, which provides them with their license to practise as recognised professionals giving them their Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) title.”

To attain this, in the final part of their training learners must acquire skills in sixty practical tasks which include theatre, anaesthesia, nursing care, radiography, communication and lab tasks to complete their Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs). During the assessment learners are scrutinised at twelve stations. 

“We are delighted that four CAFRE Level 3 learners, Cleone Egerton (Lisbellaw), Tiffany Murray (Newry), Brenda Raven (Fivemiletown) and Melinda Wallace (Newtownards) passed all twelve practical stations, a fantastic achievement! These learners will receive a VetSkill OSCE Star badge and certificate, which act as a shining symbol of their exceptional performance and outstanding level of competency in the OSCE assessment and they will be listed in their ‘Hall of Fame’. Many Level 3 learners will continue to work in clinical practice, while others will pursue opportunities in pharmaceuticals, research, insurance, nutrition and education. Registered Veterinary Nurses hold many transferable skills that open doors across multiple sectors,” noted Mrs Morris.

To mark their achievements of the thirty three learners attaining the VetSkill VTEC Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, Bethan Pinhey, on behalf of the Veterinary Nursing Council delivered the oath recital for the Professional Registration for the Right to Practice Veterinary Nursing in the UK. 

VetSkill VTEC Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing learner, Sian Fletcher from Aghalee, attained an impressive seven Distinctions out of a maximum of eight throughout her Veterinary Nursing course at CAFRE. 

Mr McHenry commended the role and support provided to CAFRE and the Level 3 learners through Training Practices and Clinical Coach mentoring. He stated: “The practices, located throughout the province, are essential in providing learners with the appropriate experience outside of regular class times.”

Learners undertaking the Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support provide significant and valued assistance to Veterinary Practices throughout their 12‑month placement. Mrs Morris noted: “They have engaged proactively in numerous aspects of practice operations, supporting Veterinary Surgeons and Registered Veterinary Nurses while contributing to the care of a diverse range of patients. We look forward to seeing some of our Level 2 learners progressing on to the Level 3 programme to continue their professional development with a Level 3 qualification in Veterinary Nursing.”

If you are a Veterinary Practice Manager with staff with an interest in formalising their training, please contact Claire Morris (interim Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing, CAFRE) or visit the CAFRE website.