As much as they like looking after our patients, veterinary nurses perform a skilled, highly trained role in practice.
An RVN is registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and will have undertaken at least 3 years of training and exams to have qualified.
Some of the roles of a veterinary nurses include:
- Taking blood samples, inserting cannulas and administering medications.
- Monitoring anaesthesia (under veterinary direction).
- Performing consultations including those for post operative checks, puppy and kitten second vaccinations, microchipping and claw clipping.
- Looking after hospitalised patients – monitoring for improvement or deterioration.
- Performing laboratory tests including blood exams, urine tests and microscopy.
- Preparing patients for surgery and assisting in operations.
- Positioning for and processing x-rays.
- Changing dressings.
Nurses are a crucial part of veterinary practice; we are very fortunate to have such dedicated members of our profession.
Lucy Travers BVSc CertAVP MRCVS Highfields Vets