Graduate veterinary nurse wins research prize

Posted 20 October 2014

A recent Harper Adams veterinary nursing graduate has been awarded a special prize in recognition of her outstanding dissertation research project.

Gemma Hunt from Birmingham was presented with the ‘Best Student Undergraduate Research Project’ award at the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Annual Congress recently.

The 22-year-old who graduated from Harper Adams last month with a BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing & Practice Management degree, said: “I was very surprised and pleased to receive the award.

“Veterinary nursing is an ever progressing and exciting career and by sharing our research, we can contribute to this progression and ensure our patients have the best care possible.”

Gemma’s research investigated the effect of using a heat and moisture exchanger on the body temperature of dogs undergoing an MRI procedure.

She was selected from 10 entrants, of which four chose to present their work at the congress, which took place at the Telford International Centre. Also representing Harper Adams was Elliot Brides who investigated why men are not as interested as women in veterinary nursing careers.

Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing, Dr Louise Buckley, said: “Veterinary nursing research is currently in its infancy.

“The BNVA is at the forefront of encouraging nurses to be involved with research to improve the evidence base upon which the industry is practiced.

“This award is great recognition for the work that Gemma undertook during her degree, and is a means for the BNVA to commend promising final year students and to encourage future research.”

The scientific element of the conference has been in existence for three years, although this is the first year that the awards have been presented. Gemma’s prize was a £100 book token.

For more information about the congress, visit: http://bvnacongress.co.uk/