Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month

Veterinary nursing awareness month (VNAM) takes place throughout May. Aiming to spread the word about the importance of the role of the Registered Veterinary nurse. This month we will be celebrating the work of our very own Registered Veterinary nurses and everything they do.

SO WHAT DO VETERINARY NURSES DO?

Veterinary nurses play a key role in the practice and are vital members of the veterinary team. They carry out technical and diagnostic work; even minor surgical procedures under the veterinary surgeons direction. As well as working in the prep room, theatre and kennels. Veterinary nurses can be found in the consulting room, in pharmacy and on reception giving out vital advice to pet owners. Generally they are all over the place, juggling multiple jobs! Including laundry, cleaning and making tea!

Typically our nurses also run clinics throughout the week. They take the lead on weight clinics, nail clipping, anal gland expression, dental checks, behaviour queries, dressing changes, post operative checks and suture removal. Along with blood pressure checks in elderly cats and even talking about End of life. Every clinic is structured and if needed a vet is on hand for a second opinion. A nurses aim is to become a friend to both the client and of course the pet.

WHO’S LOOKING AFTER YOUR PET WHEN THEY’RE HOSPITALISED?

Vet visits can be traumatic for both pets and owners, so knowing who’s looking after your pet can be reassuring. Whether your pet is staying for a routine procedure, major surgery or emergency treatment. RVNs are responsible for carrying out the nursing care when working alongside the veterinary surgeon. Vet nurses undertake a wide range of tasks including giving medication, monitoring vital signs and intravenous fluids, taking bloods and most importantly giving cuddles! Their list of duties is endless.

RVNs are also trained to assist the veterinary surgeon surgically. As part of the surgical team and monitoring the levels of anaesthesia closely throughout the procedure. Their training helps them to recognise the stages of anaesthesia, potential problems and ensure a steady recovery. If the vet needs a second pair of hands to help during a difficult procedure, the nurses will be on hand to scrub in and assist the vet where necessary.

Any in-house laboratory tests are usually also performed by the nurses. They will take the blood samples, run them, calculate a PCV and hand the results over to the vet for interpretation. Other in-house tests the nurses will perform are urinalysis and microscopy.

Veterinary nurses are a crucial part of a patients recovery and support to the veterinary surgeon. In the last 58 years Veterinary nursing has come a long way. So here's to all the Veterinary nurses and Student Veterinary nurses, past, present and in the future!