Vet nurses in the spotlight - Lacey

9 November 2020 - 2 min read

Welcome to the second instalment of ManyPets column about the professional routines of vet nurses, the cornerstones of every veterinary team.

If you want to get featured or want to nominate a friend?  Email us at

We have partnered with The Webinar Vet to deliver 110,000 hours of free Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training to vet nurses and students to show our appreciation for the work they do to keep the nation’s pets healthy and happy. Veterinary nurses can register their interest to receive the free training here.

And don’t forget to join the Many Nurses Club, a community of over 2,000 nurses to connect, share experiences and advice.

This month, we spoke to Lacey, a freelance locum night nurse. Lacey works nationally in a variety of out-of-hours settings including referral, charity and out-of-hours centres. Lacey owns a rescue Frenchie pup called Dumpling and is passionate about brachy education and recently joined the BVNA Council.

You can read more interviews here.

My alarm goes off at...

Whenever I fancy. I'm a freelance night locum. On work shifts, I like to be awake at least an hour before leaving for work.

I cannot leave the house without...

My doggo. I have a Frenchie called Dumpling and I tend to always take my companion on my travels.

My typical day...

Challenges me to problem solve and use multiple nursing skills.

Words of wisdom for student vet nurses...

Its OK to say no. If you aren't comfortable, if you don't understand and if it's not within your scope, say no. All too often as a student I did things simply because I was told to. I've learnt I never needed to feel uncomfortable.

My favourite work memory is...

Working with pandas in China. My vet nurse passport has certainly opened up so many opportunities.

The main purpose of my job is...

To challenge myself and always feel I'm learning

A perk of the job is...

Its flexibility. I love to wing it through life.

The impact of pet insurance to my job is...

Huge! Out of hours it takes one of the biggest pressures away for myself and the client involved.

My role in 5 words...

Nomad nurse with doggo sidekick

In my spare time…

I run Veterinary Pay it Forward UK which formed in June 2018. Its based on the simple idea that small acts of stranger kindness can change the course of someone’s day. P.I.F now facilitates the anonymous sending of care packages to veterinary professionals throughout the UK. I am also doing up my new house and prior to covid, I loved to travel.


Irina Wells
Content Marketing Executive

Irina is a former content marketing executive for ManyPets. She has contributed to a number of personal finance sites, including Loot Financial Services and Claro Money.