For the love of education

Last week I drove my son to Bath to start his first year at university. It was an emotional journey and reminded me of the many hours we spent in the car on the way to school talking, and listening to music. I felt excited for him starting on the post-school educational journey — learning about a subject you are interested in is a whole new experience, and being able to explore your own interests is freeing. Many of you will have had a similar experience recently, and some of you may have started on that exciting journey for yourselves on the route to becoming a veterinary nurse, or achieving an advanced nursing qualification. I envy you — learning makes us feel alive.

The British mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell said: ‘Education is not to be viewed as something like filling a vessel with water but, rather, assisting a flower to grow in its own way’. While your lecturers will provide you with the information you need, your own interest and curiosity will help you to become an even better student, and an even better nurse. The dear late Louise O'Dwyer, an inspiring veterinary nurse educator herself, said in her September 2018 editorial: ‘For me continued learning is vitally important. The more I learn, the better I become as a nurse, and this reflects on my ability to care for my patients.’ I think many of you would agree!