Ben Fogle presented the winners with their awards.

We’re excited to announce the winners of this year’s Central Qualifications (CQ) Veterinary Nursing Educator of the Year Awards: Donna Green of Central College of Animal Studies and Beverly Shingleton of Plumpton College.

Adventurer, broadcaster and writer Ben Fogle presented them with their awards at our annual CQ Graduation and Awards Ceremony, held at Central Hall, Westminster, on Saturday, 9 March.

The annual awards celebrate the commitment and hard work of staff who support veterinary nursing students, recognising their talent, skill, and dedication. They are open to anyone involved in training and educating veterinary nurses in the UK, with the winners nominated by students and fellow professionals.

Donna Green

Part of the team at Central College of Animal Studies (CCOAS) since 2020, Donna originally qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2002. In 2004, she started teaching alongside working in small animal and mixed practices in both the UK and abroad.

As well as teaching the next generation of veterinary nurses in her role as a senior tutor at the CCOAS training college in Exeter, Devon, Donna is also centre liaison, internal quality assurer, and a mental health first aider. She holds a Masters in Clinical Animal Behaviour.

Before her career in veterinary nursing, Donna served with the Women’s Royal Naval Service for 11 years. In her spare time, she volunteers with the charity Veterans with Dogs.

Among the comments made by those who nominated Donna were:
    •    “Donna is so knowledgeable, a great communicator and really great at motivating and inspiring her class to learn from her and develop their own skills and interests. Best teacher I ever had!”
    •    “I am incredibly grateful for Donna for everything she has, and continues to, teach me, shaping me into a confident future nurse.”
    •    “Donna goes out of her way to ensure all students get all the help they need. When I was struggling with an exam, she organised extra mornings to come into college for extra support one-on-one and has done the same for other students.”

Donna said: “Winning the award has been a shock and I feel quite humbled, but it is good to know that all the hard work that goes on at CCOAS is appreciated by our students. I love my current role as no two days are the same.”

Beverly Shingleton

Beverly began her career as an RVN in the 1980s, working in small and mixed animal practices in Norfolk, Suffolk and Birmingham, including as head nurse, a role in which she supported veterinary nursing students.

She started her first teaching role in Cambridgeshire in 1991 and has held various roles within colleges in Cambridgeshire and East Sussex, including programme manager and departmental head of animal management and veterinary nursing.

She currently works as internal quality assurer for the Veterinary Nursing Department at Plumpton College, East Sussex.

The feedback from those who nominated Beverly included:
    •    “She believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. She also helped me with personal problems as well as the normal problems her job presents. Beverly absolutely deserves this award, because she is so much more than just an educator.”
    •    “From first year to final year, Beverly made regular visits to help and support me in my own practice and took time to discuss and explain any questions I had along the way.”
    •    “Beverly is remembered by many students, and visiting practices with her is like watching old friends catching up.”

Beverly said: “I was delighted to find out I had been nominated for the Veterinary Nursing Educator Award. It is a real honour to be acknowledged by the industry I have served for over 35 years.

“I have been fortunate to mentor and work with a range of very dedicated and inspiring veterinary nursing teachers and privileged that during my career I have had the opportunity to inspire a generation of veterinary nurses.”

Image © Central Qualifications