Mrs Susan Holt
MRes, BSc, RVN, PGC-HE, SFHEA
Expertise
Registered Veterinary Nurse with over 30 years clinical experience and 8 years teaching in higher education. Expertise relates to researching and developing enhancement of the student clinical experience in veterinary practice.
Current positions
Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing
Bristol Veterinary School
Contact
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Biography
To maintain her clinical skills, Susan volunteers as an outreach lead with StreetVet, offering free veterinary care for pets belonging to homeless clients. She has a position on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Registered Veterinary Nurse, Preliminary Investigation Committee, reviewing concerns raised about professional conduct. During her Masters degree, Susan developed the SVN Clinical Learning Environment Inventory, published in Journal of Veterinary Medical Education in 2022. This is a novel tool to evaluate the experiences of SVNs within the training practice. Susan is experienced in developing and delivering the SVN Objective Structured Clinical Examination and also examines currently for the LANTRA nursing course.
Research interests
My primary research focusses on student veterinary nurse training in the clinical environment of veterinary training practices. During my Masters in Research I developed the Student Veterinary Nurse Clinical Learning Environment Inventory, (SVN CLEI). Currently, I am investigating the perceptions and experiences of all stakeholders in the veterinary nurse clinical learning paradigm. The overall aim is to evaluate the current situation through the lens of Situated Learning Theory, Legitimate Peripheral Participation and Communities of Practice. This evaluation will identify areas of good practice and those which require development or enhancement. I am passionate that student veterinary nurses are well supported during their time in veterinary practice to develop strong professional identity, reduce attrition and maintain well-being, whilst achieving their course requirements.
I am keen to support practices and other education providers when supporting students undertake their clinical hours, RCVS Day One skills and behavioural competences.
Other knowledge exchange activities include feature articles in veterinary publications related to supporting student veterinary nurses in practice, dog and cat nutrition and immune mediated haemolytic anaemia. Conference presentations include VetEd 2023 and 2024.
Publications
Selected publications
01/02/2022Training and Preparedness of Clinical Coaches for Their Role in Training Student Veterinary Nurses in the United Kingdom
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education
Recent publications
13/03/2025Exam technique and revision aids
Textbook of Equine Veterinary Nursing
Doctoral-educated veterinary nurses
Awareness, perceptions and practices of UK veterinary nurses on managing the risk of malnutrition in hospitalised cats and dogs
Veterinary Nurse
Exploring the socio-cultural experiences of student veterinary nurses, in the clinical learning environment, through the lens of Situated Learning Theory
Veterinary Record
Developing the SVN CLEI
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education
Teaching
Susan enjoys supporting other colleagues develop their pedagogical practice and leadership skills via acting as an Action Learning facilitator for the Female Leadership Initiative and as a Mentor for the Bristol Institute of Learning and Teaching (CREATE Scheme).
Susan is able to advise veterinary practices and clinical supervisors on the support of students within the clinical learning environment. She is passionate about this element of the course and the impact this can have on students well-being, professional identity and retention. Her leadership and experience in teaching and learning was recognised by the award of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2023 from Advance HE.
