You’ve popped to the veterinary practice with your dog and are seen by a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN), not a Veterinary Surgeon. What is the difference and why might you see an RVN instead?
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The Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
As far back as 1888 a prominent veterinary scientist noted that nursing required, “strict attention to the animal’s comfort and well-being in matters of warmth, quietude, cleanliness, pure air and diet”. Although veterinary professionals still recognise the importance of an animal’s comfort, cleanliness and diet, a lot has changed since then. The Veterinary Nursing profession now works within a governing body, within the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. And RVNs follow the code of professional conduct. These are registered, accountable and highly skilled individuals who can help enormously in management of acute and chronic conditions, support and education, helping guide you as an owner to make good ‘evidence based’ decisions about your pet’s health, and aid in preventative health care.
Consults
It would be wrong to assume that the extent of a RVN’s skills end at a nail clip or dispensing of flea and worm treatment. Although these consults are necessary to maintain good comfort and aid in parasite control, an RVN’s knowledge and abilities are vast and extend far beyond many owner’s expectations.
RVNs are not ‘mini vets’, and they don’t need to be. Their profession, expertise and skills are unique and separate in their own rights. RVNs cannot legally cannot prescribe certain veterinary medicines or diagnose, as per the Veterinary Surgeons Act. However, once an animal is diagnosed with a condition, discharged following surgical interventions, requires wound management, blood samples, diagnostic monitoring procedures, advanced or involved disease clinics, behaviour support and advice, nutrition support and much more, then RVNs are able to get fully invested in cases and are an indispensable part of the clinical team.
As with any professional, many RVNs develop specific knowledge and personal interests through Continued Professional Development (CPD); which is mandatory in the UK. Different practices may offer different consults depending on the knowledge, interest and further qualifications of their RVNs. They will often let you know if they offer services such as diabetic clinics, osteoarthritis clinics, nutrition and weight management clinics, puppy or geriatric support and monitoring clinics to name a few.
How RVN consults will benefit you
When your pet is diagnosed with a disease, like osteoarthritis, or diabetes, the information can be overwhelming. Changes to your lifestyle to accommodate medication and routine changes can prove challenging.
RVNs are able to support you through this, helping you work holistically to improve your pet’s quality of life. They are able to show you how to give medication; explain how the medications work; help guide and educate you on the disease; undertake monitoring diagnostic tests; and give any other support you require. Many owners find that there is a minefield of information online when they research their pets’ condition. This can be baffling and overwhelming, and also exposes you as an owner to the negatives of internet searches… misinformation. An RVN is well placed to guide you to make evidence-based choices so that your dog is going to get the best outcome from your treatment plan and interventions.
Admitting and Discharging
Another time you may see a RVN instead of a Vet is during admission and discharge for certain procedures or surgeries. This is a time where the RVN will gain informed consent for a procedure or surgery, talk you through the plan for the day and answer any questions you may have. The likelihood is, depending on the practice, that these RVNs have experience in both ward and theatre. They will be well placed with an excellent level of knowledge to ease your concerns and answer any queries.
Furthermore, as well as admitting and discharging your beloved pet the RVN may also be carrying out the procedure too. In 1991, the Veterinary Surgeons Act was formally amended so that the role of RVN would be formally recognised in law. Under schedule 3 RVNS if competent can undertake certain surgeries and procedures.
Triage
During a busy day at the practice or in emergency veterinary practice we can often be faced with a list of animals who all seemingly, very urgently, require attention. This is when you may see a RVN who will quickly and effectively triage animals to prioritise those most in need. The likelihood is that in the clinical areas of the practice you will also have a team of RVNs and vets working together on some very intensive and poorly patients too.
A triage nurse is likely to quickly and efficiently take a history from you; assess your pet’s major body systems; and assess how quickly they need to be seen. They are also able, after discussion with the vet, to administer medications that may help alleviate your pet’s ailment and help relieve pain and suffering.
Offloading pressure
The UK veterinary profession is currently experiencing workforce and retention issues, vets and RVNs are in short supply! But if a practice has the ability, then they should use their RVNs fully. And you as an owner should take up the offer of these invaluable services. Using RVNs may offload caseload from vets and will also provide you with support, education and guidance and if your pet is undergoing a procedure, dressing change or other service. You can be rest assured that your dog will be in excellent hands with an RVN.
Cost
So, should RVNs charge for this service? The answer is almost certainly YES! RVNS qualify with diplomas or degrees. They can progress through Bachelor of Science degrees, Advanced Higher and Further Education Diplomas, Certificates, Masters and PhDs. These are highly skilled professionals and provide a valuable service. So YES, they may charge and YES it will be worth it for the insight, knowledge and support you gain.
Key Points
- RVNs are professional, knowledgeable and highly skilled individuals
- Some practices will use RVNs for consults, admits, discharges and triage (and more!)
- RVNs are well placed to provide owner education and support
- If you are an owner, accept help and support from RVNs and investigate what your practice has to offer!
- If you are a practice, use your RVNs to their full potential! RVN consults could aid in client rapport, client-practice bond and compliance in treatment plans though support, education and accessibility.
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