Introducing our post-registration programme managers
Sophie Venables RVN BSc (Hons)
Lead Post Registration Programme Manager
During Sophie’s career she has worked as an RVN in a variety of clinical settings to cover primary care, charity and referral clinics. Throughout these roles, she has always had a passion for education and development of veterinary nurses.
Whilst working at Wear Referrals two days a week, she commuted to the University of Bristol three days a week to work as a Veterinary Nursing Clinical Demonstrator. Here she was involved in the design and implementation of veterinary nursing clinical rotations at Langford Small Animal Hospital.
Sophie joined Linnaeus as one of two Veterinary Nursing Post Registration Programme Managers in January 2020. She supports zero-12-month post registration RVN’s make their transition from student to successful referral veterinary nurse.
She was also responsible for supporting students during their six-month rotations.
Sam Thompson RVN Grad Dip VN Cert VN ECC DET
Post Registration Programme Manager
Sam qualified from MYF college and has worked in referral hospitals for over 10 years, most recently as the Clinical Services Manager for North Downs Specialist Referral Hospital. She joined NDSR as soon as she qualified as an RVN and also has experience teaching veterinary nursing.
As a Post Registration Programme Manager, Sam works with the team to support nurses who have recently qualified to fulfil their dreams of working in a referral hospital. This is done by the development and implementation of a structured and immersive professional and clinical programme.
Combining both off site and on-site training to support the practices with ensuring these nurses have a smooth transition into referral nursing.
Alongside her role as PRP Manager Sam also sits on the clinical board, providing a nurse presence in this area. She’s a certified RECOVER Rescuer, is part of the VNJ Editorial board and has a keen interest in quality improvement.
Cath Dean RVN BSc (Hons)
Post Registration Programme Manager
Cath’s career began at the Royal Veterinary College, and she undertook placements in both busy primary care practices and within referral hospitals.
Shortly after graduating, Cath moved to New Zealand and worked in a Boarding Kennels, training new staff and creating handbooks for new employees. Upon returning to the UK, Cath returned to veterinary nursing and began working at Davies Veterinary Specialists as a relatively inexperienced RVN.
She enjoyed progressing her knowledge of multi-disciplinary specialist referral nursing and finally settled into a theatre specific role. Cath enjoyed developing her skills and knowledge in anaesthesia but also enjoyed supporting new starters with their progression too.
Cath joined the PRP team as a Post Registration Programme Manager in September 2020 and is passionate about supporting the newly qualified nurses who wish to join the Post Registration Programme, also she is really excited about the opportunities that Linnaeus can provide within veterinary nursing.