Veterinary Nurses are an integral part of your practice team and it’s fair to assume that they have undergone training and hold qualifications for the role they do. Unfortunately, the title “Veterinary Nurse” is not protected by law meaning that anyone can call themselves a Veterinary Nurse.
This is an area of great frustration for Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) who have undergone extensive training to gain the necessary qualifications, but why does registration matter? How do you know if the veterinary nurses in your practice are registered? Are the people who use the term Veterinary nurse offering services such as pet sitting or grooming services in your local area registered?
What training does a Registered Veterinary Nurse have?
RVNs need to complete either a Level 3 Diploma or a Degree in Veterinary Nursing. At the time of writing both training routes include a minimum of 2990 hours of training, of which at least 1800 hours must be within clinical practice. In addition to the 2990 hours, student nurses will spend a considerable amount of time reading, revising, writing assignments, and completing nursing skills logs or portfolios.
Modules and areas of study include; anatomy & physiology, animal welfare, health & husbandry, infection control, pharmacology, nutrition, laboratory diagnostics & diagnostic imaging and anaesthesia. Of course, the nursing care and care planning of different patient groups is a fundamental area of a veterinary nurse’s education. Student nurses study different species and patient groups including hospitalised patients, patients undergoing surgical procedures, patients with medical conditions, neonatal and geriatric patients as well as emergency and critical care patients. All the most common domestic and exotic pets (small animals) are covered in the syllabus.
The practical ability and knowledge gained in clinical practice covers a wide range of veterinary nursing skills and a log of evidence must be provided and witnessed to show that the student is competent.
Students must pass both practical OSCEs and theory examinations before their names can be added to the register of veterinary nurses. This register is a list of nurses eligible to work in the UK and is maintained by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the RCVS regulates the veterinary nursing profession.
RVNs are professionally accountable and regulated by the RCVS
They must renew their registration every year, agreeing to follow the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct. RVNs must also complete continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure that knowledge and skills are kept up to date. Failing to do so can result in suspension or removal from the Register.
Many RVNS choose to undergo further qualifications and training such as certificates in advanced veterinary nursing, emergency and critical care, behaviour, or anaesthesia to name a few. They can also become clinical coaches to student nurses.
Hopefully this has given you some insight into how dedicated and highly trained RVNs are and how much work has gone into gaining the qualification. RVNs are often asked if they want to be vets. Nursing isn’t a steppingstone en-route to becoming a vet and the answer is “No” in the same way that registered human nurses (RNs) don’t typically want to be doctors.
Why is registration important?
Registration is important because it shows that veterinary nurses have the underpinning knowledge and practical training required to provide a high standard of nursing care, ensuring patient safety. This means that pet owners can be confident that qualified professionals are caring for their pets, and it also means that Veterinary Surgeons can have confidence that their nursing colleagues are competent.
RVNS work under the direction of a Veterinary Surgeon but are accountable – meaning that they take responsibility for their actions and decisions and will face the consequences of any mistakes. Working under the direction of a Veterinary Surgeon doesn’t necessarily mean direct supervision, it means that a Vet can delegate RVNs to carry out treatments, tasks and even minor surgeries. Because RVNs are accountable it encourages diligence, conscientiousness and means they are encouraged to work within their own level of competency
What do Veterinary Nurses do?
The areas of study listed above may give you some idea how varied the role of a Veterinary Nurse is. As well as assisting and supporting the Vets and providing nursing care they carry out a wide range of other tasks delegated to them.
Patient care and assessment
If your pet is hospitalised the nursing team will ensure your pet is kept clean and comfortable, monitor their vital signs (temperature, pulse and respiration), manage any IV access points, catheters, tubes or drains, they will monitor pain and administer any prescribed medication which may include calculating the dose required. Any concerns will be reported back to the Veterinary Surgeon. Registered nurses can assess patients and give expert, tailored nursing care having both the clinical knowledge and practical skills to manage their patients’ individual and sometimes complex needs.
Carrying out diagnostic tests
RVNs are trained to take blood samples and other samples for laboratory testing, these are often run in the practice laboratory. They can also examine samples under the microscope to look for parasites or for basic cytology.
Most RVNs will undertake radiography (x-rays) at the direction of the Veterinary Surgeon. An RVNs knowledge of anatomy and the positioning required for images is important so that the Vet can then make a diagnosis.
Pre, peri and post-operative care
RVNs play a key role in the preparation of patients for surgery. The nursing team are often responsible for admitting patients, carrying out any pre-operative tests and administering medications. They will also prepare the patient as well as the preparation of the operating theatre, instruments and equipment. During surgery they may scrub in and assist the Vet with a procedure. A nurse will monitor the anesthetic from induction through to recovery reporting any concerns to the Vet. A nurse will care for your pet following their operation and until they are discharged.
Client care, communication and education
Many practices run nurse clinics for appointments such as nail clipping, some vaccinations, nutritional advice, dental checks, senior pet or puppy/kitten clinics, post-operative checks, follow-up wound care or clinics for specific conditions such as diabetes or arthritis. RVNs have the training to offer advice and support to clients and pick up any problems which can then be referred on to the Vet. Veterinary nurses are also the point of contact for the owners of hospitalised pets, offering support to clients and answering any questions.
Infection control
Infection control is of paramount importance within a Veterinary practice. The nursing team is usually responsible for making sure that cleaning and disinfection protocols are carried out followed. Infectious patients will be isolated and barrier nursed, RVNs have a sound understanding of disease transmission and infection control measures ensuring patient (and staff) safety.
Schedule 3 procedures
RVNs carry out some minor procedures under the direction of a Veterinary Surgeon, several have already been mentioned above such as radiography, taking bloods or other laboratory samples, placing cannulas, catheters or feeding tubes, wound management and administering medication. These are called schedule 3 procedures and cannot legally be undertaken by lay staff. In some practices experienced RVNs also carry out minor surgical procedures (not entering a body cavity) including; skin lump removals, suturing minor wounds, surgical management of aural (ear) hematomas, dental scaling, tail amputations and taking biopsies. A Vet can only delegate an RVN (or Student Veterinary Nurse) to do a specific procedure or treatment on an animal under their care if they are satisfied that the nurse has the necessary competence and experience.
How do I know if a Veterinary Nurse is Registered?
Practices are proud to have registered nurses on the team and the post nominals RVN will usually be present on name badges, meet the team boards in waiting rooms or on practice websites. Practices may also post about their RVNs on social media during occasions such as Veterinary Nurse Awareness month each May.
Uniforms can vary between practices, but traditionally RVNs wear bottle green tunics whereas a student nurse will wear green and white striped tunics. RVNs receive a silver and red badge upon registration featuring St Francis, patron saint of animals and many nurses proudly wear this hard-earned insignia on their uniforms. The red badge is replaced by a blue and silver version upon completion of some advanced qualifications. Veterinary nurses offering services in your local area will also usually state within their advertisement if they are registered. Registered veterinary nurses can also be found on the list kept by the RCVS.
If you still aren’t sure – ask!
On a final note…
RVNs have undergone extensive training and continue to keep their skills up to date throughout their career. Their accountability means that they uphold professional standards and ensure a high level of patient care so that you can be confident your pet is well looked after.
Because the job title Veterinary Nurse isn’t yet protected by law, RVNs feel that their profession isn’t valued enough for the work they do, protection would give RVNs their well-earned recognition.
Further reading and related articles
I want to be a Veterinary Nurse
When might your dog see a Vet nurse not a vet
Protecting the title of a Veterinary Nurse
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