VetPartners Veterinary Nurse of the Year, Jenny Johnson, is proudly championing the profession while helping shape the future of veterinary nursing in practice.
Recently promoted to Deputy Head Nurse at Westway Vets, Jenny represents the passion, dedication and compassion that make veterinary nursing such a fulfilling career.
As Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month is celebrated, Jenny reflects on the unique rewards of the role and why veterinary nursing continues to inspire her every day….
JENNY Johnson is far more than a veterinary nurse – she is a coordinator, project manager, counsellor and a trusted shoulder to lean on when her colleagues need support.
She was the driving force in transforming a tiny branch surgery into a thriving clinic, which is now home to five vets and eight veterinary nurses, delivering high-quality care thanks to her determination to secure investment in the latest high-tech equipment.
Her energy, collaborative spirit and passion for the veterinary nursing profession have helped foster a caring and supportive environment where colleagues are empowered to thrive.
With a focus on creating a positive culture, getting the best out of her colleagues and continually improving practice standards, Jenny, Senior RVN at Westway Vets in Consett, County Durham, has demonstrated exceptional dedication and outstanding leadership, which resulted in her being named VetPartners Veterinary Nurse of the Year in 2025.
VetPartners North East Business Development Director Jason Atherton said: “Jenny is a really compassionate nurse who continually goes above and beyond. Jenny has transformed patient care and the working environment and was instrumental in bringing about significant improvements to her practice’s facilities and equipment. She leads by example, inspiring and encouraging colleagues, acting as a supportive manager and showcasing outstanding clinical knowledge and experience.”
The award was extra-special because Jenny was nominated for the honour by her team.
“Being a veterinary nurse is all I have ever wanted to do but I never dreamed of winning this award,” she said.
“It felt so special and I felt really appreciated. I am so grateful to work for such an amazing company and alongside so many amazing people who make going to work a pleasure.
“I have a real passion for the profession, and I want nurses to feel as empowered as they can be and to feel respected and valued.”
Jenny’s career began as a volunteer in a practice, cleaning kennels and sweeping floors every Saturday. While it was unpaid and hard work, the experience fuelled her ambition to pursue a career as a veterinary nurse.
After studying Animal Management at a Kirkley Hall College in Northumberland, she began working as an auxiliary nurse in a referral practice, before securing a place as a Student Veterinary Nurse at Westway Vets in Newcastle in 2012.
It was a renowned training practice, but she still had to show willing to work on reception – an experience she says transformed her as a person and changed the course of her career.
Great people skills
Jenny said: “Working on reception, dealing directly with clients, was the making of me. I had to adapt to the adult world which helped me to blossom into the person I am today. I was meeting strangers coping with the grief of losing their pets, and I developed emotional maturity and people skills I wouldn’t have gained if I hadn’t been working front of house.”
After qualifying as an RVN in 2018, Jenny thrived in a busy city veterinary hospital, where she treated a wide range of emergency cases and seriously ill or injured pets.
To better equip her, she studied for a Vets Now Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care and began working nightshift, where anything could happen – and usually did.
“I loved working in emergency care and developed a real passion for it,” she said.
“You’re seeing patients when they need you most, helping them through their worst ordeal and supporting their recovery which is a really good feeling.
“I worked with nightshift vet Joanne Cleverdon, who was a great influence on my career. She was really keen on vet nurses doing Schedule 3 procedures like stitch ups, but I also learned about emergency and critical care work which inspired me to do my Diploma.
Excited about the future
“You might have a C-section, then a seizure case and a dog eating a foreign body. You name it, we saw it! Dealing with high pressure cases can be difficult and challenging, but the rewards are great. I used to feel excited about what would happen next and how you would deal with it. I loved the collaboration with the veterinary team and having a plan for a patient.”
When a senior RVN role became available at Westway Vets in Consett, Jenny was initially reluctant to give up her job in emergency and critical care. However, the opportunity to develop her leadership skills prompted her decision to change course.
It turned out to be an inspired decision, not only for Jenny but for the Consett branch she has worked so hard to develop.
“I’m very proud of my time at Consett and the positive changes it has gone through,” she said.
“It is a small branch in a semi-rural town. It had only one vet and was lacking modern equipment. I had worked in a referral practice and at Westway’s main hospital which both had all the bells and whistles.
“We secured the investment to create a modern practice with a multiparameter monitor, blood pressure equipment, an anaesthetic monitor, walk-in kennels and a rest room for colleagues.
“It has been a wonderful challenge as a leadership role and I’ve focused on team culture, clinical protocols and patient care standards. We’ve driven significant improvements to facilities and workflows, and support colleagues with their CPD and training. We’ve grown from one vet to five vets and to eight nurses, including two students.”
Jenny added: “We have a happy, supportive and highly efficient team with a positive culture. I would describe us as a work family.
“I have worked incredibly hard to prove I can be a good leader. I’ve loved creating a team and watching them grow.”
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