Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month

Website Editor • May 9, 2019

This month we are focusing our attention on our dedicated team of "greenies" that work tirelessly behind the scenes to care for your pets.

Veterinary Nursing Awareness month photo

9th May 2019

Many people don't necessarily understand the roles that our team of Veterinary Nurses (VN's) play in the running of the practice and the care what we provide. The VN role goes far beyond " cuddling animals " that is often cited as their role!

Currently, we have ten VN's working with us in a variety of roles.

How to become a VN?

All VN's have to undergo a 2-3 year training course with regular assessment, projects and exams before they are allowed to progress to the further stages of the course. Whilst this course can be done on a full time basis, many nurses train "apprentice" style whilst working part-time within a veterinary practice. Only after they have passed all their exams are they allowed to be called a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).

What does a VN do?

The VN's role is diverse and complex! Here is just a few of them...

  • Anaesthetist.
  • Radiologist.
  • Dietitian.
  • Weight management advice.
  • Scrub Nurse (help with operations).
  • Bereavement Councillor.
  • Pharmacy Assistant.
  • Intensive Care Nurse.
  • Animal Midwife.
  • Emergency Triage.
  • First Aid Provider.
  • Phlebotomist (taking blood samples).
  • Lab assistant.
  • Carry out minor procedures.
  • Surgical kit preparation.
  • In-patient care
  • "Thingy" finders (vets can NEVER find stuff even if it is right in front of them!)
  • Emotional support for the whole team.

Veterinary Nurses check Blood Pressure

For every animal that comes to the practice and sees a "single" vet for a consultation.will have required the involvement of at least two or three nurses in the background. If your pet has been hospitalised, then it is likely that over a day nearly the entire team will be involved in their care.

If you want to find out more about our team of nurses - then visit the staff section here!

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