1. Veterinary Nursing
Casey McKeown RVN

2. About the Veterinary Nursing Profession
Professional status among veterinary nurses has only recently been recognised in the UK in the last 20 years. Developments in areas such as the non-statutory registration of RVNs, the permitted use of the ‘veterinary nurse’ title and the updating of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) (Schedule 3), all contributed towards the movement of professionalism within Veterinary Nursing. Before 2015 the RCVS held the non-statutory register for qualified veterinary nurses but after the New Royal Charter of 2015, the non-statutory register was abolished, and the statutory register came into force, this coincided with the recognition of Veterinary Nursing as a profession. The RCVS have the power to remove any individual from the statutory register, who they deem unfit to practice or have conducted themselves unlawfully.
The RCVS Oversee the responsibilities of each veterinary medical professional and this is outlined by the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966). This is an act of parliament which means any rules which are not adhered to under this piece of legislation would be recognised as a criminal offence.

3. What do Veterinary Nurses do?
Care Providers (Giving meds, Taking important parameters TPR, TLC)
Vet assistants (Holding – being the one that usually gets scratched or bitten)
Anaesthetists
Phlebotomists
Receptionists
Radiographers
A shoulder to cry on – Help owners when its time to say goodbye
Hygienists (Dentals – making sure environment clean for every patient)
Physiotherapists
Some can be surgical! (Schedule 3)
Consultants
Lab Technicians

4. Anaesthesia Very stressful serious time!
Need to be focused at all times – right from beginning to end!
Can be very long procedure
Vet in charge but it’s the nurses that have to monitor and make decisions based on condition of the patient – lots of responsibility

5. Phlebotomists Placing IV Catheters
Taking blood from the neck or the leg
Can be rewarding and a big help to the vet!
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Phlebotomists

6. Surgical Nurses
One of the most exciting parts of the job in my opinion! Though many people are known to faint when they first see this side of practice!
Veterinary nurses can perform schedule 3 tasks, this involves ops such as lump removals, Aural Haematomas, Tail amputation, stitch ups! As long as not inside a body cavity!
Often asked to scrub into some ops to assist the vet – Exploratory Laparotomy or cruciate ligament repair, Jaw removal ( just a few of the ops I’ve been scrubbed into and experienced!)

7. Consultants Weight and Diet clinics Geriatric clinics Health checks
Parasite clinics
Puppy Parties
Admitting and Discharging patients

8. Lab Technician Running bloods Packaging samples
Using the Microscope (my favourite lab job)
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

9. Why choose Veterinary Nursing for a profession?
Very hard work training but rewarding in the end!
Gain a wealth of knowledge
No day is the same, always something different!
Get to meet new clients and their pets – lots and lots of cuddles
Colleagues – a job where you work as a team!
Jobs all around the world, industry is in high demand so never out of a job!
Can develop skills and go further, always more to learn! (CPD) –VN’s can also run practices!
Massive part of the job is nursing patients back to health so when it is a good outcome you will feel great for having a hand in that patients recovery! RTA’s e.g.

10. How can I become a Veterinary Nurse?
Need Work experience first! (About 30 days at least and variety)
Degree route
Diploma
NVQ – like an apprenticeship
All very different ways of training!

11. Any questions?