CVS launches pioneering Nurse Optimisation PhD to advance the future of veterinary nursing
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CVS has today announced the launch of a pathfinding Nurse Optimisation PhD, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s commitment to advancing veterinary nursing and strengthening the role of Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) within companion animal practice.

The three‑year doctoral project will investigate how veterinary nurse skills can be better recognised, optimised and supported across UK practices, with the goal of improving job satisfaction, patient care and long‑term workforce sustainability.

The announcement follows extensive work undertaken by CVS in recent years to understand how veterinary nurses can be better empowered within their roles. In autumn 2024, the organisation conducted the CVS Veterinary Nurse Survey, gathering insights from more than 1,000 nurses across its veterinary group. The findings highlighted clear opportunities to enhance skill utilisation, career development and professional fulfilment for RVNs. Later that year, the British Veterinary Nursing Association released new guidance on maximising the veterinary nursing role - reflecting a pivotal moment for the profession and further reinforcing the need for structured, evidence‑based development.

In response, CVS has pledged to take meaningful, sustained action to strengthen veterinary nursing. Central to this commitment is the creation of the new Nurse Optimisation PhD studentship, which begins in January 2026. Funded by CVS Vets, the project represents one of the first veterinary nurse‑led PhDs of its kind in the UK, placing nurses at the heart of both the research and the solutions it aims to deliver.

The PhD will be undertaken by Michelle Farrow BSc (Hons) MRes RVN, whose nursing career has progressed through CVS working initially as a referral manager in practice, then undertaking a research assistant secondment position and now in this current role, focusing on empowering veterinary nurses to reach their full potential. With a strong academic background and extensive clinical experience, Michelle will explore how sector‑transferable, evidence‑based frameworks can enhance the effectiveness and wellbeing of veterinary nursing teams, while supporting high‑quality patient and client care.

The programme will be delivered in collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College and overseen by CVS Director of Clinical Research, Dr Imogen Schofield. Academic supervision will be provided by respected researchers Dr Rowena Packer and Dr Tierney Kinnison, bringing together a powerful combination of academic rigour, clinical insight and organisational leadership.

At the core of the research is a commitment to co‑design. Over the next three years, the project will work directly with veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons and practice leaders across varied clinical environments. Rather than imposing a singular model of nurse optimisation, the research recognises the diversity of practice contexts. Through an action‑research approach, the team will investigate what effective, sustainable optimisation looks like on the ground, with the aim of producing a flexible, practical and transferable toolkit that supports real‑world implementation.

The timing of this work is particularly significant for the profession. With sector-wide conversations intensifying around the future of veterinary regulation, the value of the veterinary nursing role, and the protection of the RVN title, there is growing momentum to ensure nurses are empowered to practise to the full extent of their training and expertise. This research is designed to support that evolution - strengthening collaboration within veterinary teams, improving efficiency, and enhancing patient outcomes.

Tara Ryan, Chief Veterinary Nursing Officer at CVS and project sponsor, said:

“Veterinary nurses are at the heart of our profession. This PhD represents an exciting and essential step in understanding how we can better support them, to optimise their skills and ensure they continually thrive in practice.”
Michelle Farrow, PhD Candidate, added:
“This project is perfectly timed. Veterinary nurses are eager to develop and contribute more, and the wider profession is at a point where this progression is genuinely needed. I hope practice teams feel both excited and reassured - this research is designed to support the whole veterinary team, strengthen collaboration, and improve how we work together for the benefit of patients, clients and colleagues.”
Dr Rowena Packer, Senior Lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College, said:
“This exciting collaboration between RVC and CVS brings together academic rigour and real-world insight to address one of the most pressing workforce challenges in small animal practice. Using robust qualitative approaches, this forward-looking, practice-focused PhD will centre the experiences and expertise of Registered Veterinary Nurses to better support their roles, improve job satisfaction and retention, and unlock the full extent of their skills.”
Dr Imogen Schofield, Director of Clinical Research at CVS, said:
“CVS is committed to progressing the veterinary nursing profession. This is a pivotal project shaping our profession’s future, and our nurses will be at the heart of it. By combining academic expertise with real‑world clinical experience, the Nurse Optimisation PhD represents a significant step forward for veterinary nursing - reinforcing the profession’s value, supporting workforce sustainability, and ensuring nurses are empowered to work to the full extent of their skills and expertise.”
CVS Vets operates across small animal, farm animal, equine and laboratories, with over 500 veterinary practices and referral centres in the UK and Australia. CVS has invested £122 million in its sites, facilities, equipment and technology since the start of 2023, in addition to providing industry leading training and support, to give the best possible care to animals. To find out more visit the CVS website.