.png)
Our Mission
VetNurseForward is dedicated to strengthening veterinary nursing through practical education, professional development and structured career pathways.
We work with veterinary practices to identify development needs, build clinical capability and support nurses at every stage of their careers — helping create confident, capable nursing teams that can continue to grow.
Our Expertise
With extensive experience across veterinary nursing, education and practice leadership, we understand the realities of working in veterinary practice. Our approach combines practical clinical knowledge with meaningful professional development.
Expert Clinical Training
Practical, relevant training that builds clinical knowledge, skills and confidence in everyday veterinary practice.
Team Capability Reviews
Identify strengths, development gaps and opportunities within your veterinary nursing team.
Leadership Development
Support senior nurses and emerging leaders to build confidence, develop their teams and lead effectively.
Meet the founder
With more than 20 years in veterinary nursing, Shoned Hawksworth has worked across clinical practice, education, training and leadership, both in Australia and overseas.
After many years working with veterinary nurses and managing nursing teams, Shoned saw first-hand how easily professional development can become lost amongst the demands of a busy practice. VetNurseForward grew from a desire to make development more practical, accessible and relevant to the nurses actually doing the job.
Her approach combines extensive clinical experience with a background in education and practice management, supporting nurses to build their skills, confidence and capability throughout their careers — from developing strong clinical foundations through to advanced nursing and leadership.
-
Advanced Diploma in Higher Education – Advanced Veterinary Nursing (UK)
-
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (AUS)
-
Certificate in Exotic Animal Nursing
-
Certificate in Canine & Feline Nutrition
-
NVQ 3 in Veterinary Nursing (UK)
Experience backed by education
Veterinary Nursing & Clinical
Qualifications and experience spanning advanced veterinary nursing, education, leadership and management — combining clinical knowledge with extensive experience developing nurses and veterinary teams.
Education & Leadership
-
Diploma of Leadership & Management
-
Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (TAE40116)
-
Veterinary nursing educator, lecturer and CPD presenter
-
Published veterinary nursing author
-
Founder & organiser, Ballarat Veterinary Nursing Conference
Why VetNurseForward?
Veterinary nurses deserve more than a qualification and a job title.
They deserve opportunities to keep learning, build confidence, develop advanced skills and see where their career can take them.
VetNurseForward was created to help practices make that development part of everyday veterinary nursing — supporting nurses to grow while helping practices build skilled, confident and engaged teams.