Veterinary Nurse awareness month
May is Veterinary Nurse awareness month. This annual event aims to raise awareness of the role of the Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
RVN’s are highly skilled veterinary professionals. Registered Veterinary Nurses have completed extensive training and examinations to achieve their qualifications. Training is always completed through colleges or universities. These must offer qualifications approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). The RCVS regularly inspects education programmes to maintain high standards. A list of RCVS approved qualifications in veterinary nursing and colleges that provide these is available to download from www.rcvs.org.uk.
Veterinary nursing is the supportive care of animals receiving treatment within a veterinary practice. Veterinary nurses play a significant role in educating owners on maintaining the health of their pets. RVN’s work in a diverse range of roles and responsibilities. They provide evidence-based nursing care for their patients. Many choose to specialise post qualification.
Is your Veterinary Nurse qualified?
Veterinary nurses do incredible work to support animal health and welfare. The title of Veterinary Nurse is not protected like that of a human Nurse. The RCVS hold a register of all veterinary nurses who have completed their initial and ongoing training requirements. Veterinary Nurses are only admitted to the register after completing both formal and work based training. This includes passing extensive examinations. It is important to ensure the person you trust to care for and advise you on the health of your pet is a Registered Veterinary Nurse. You can check the list at Find a Vet Nurse - Find A Vet (rcvs.org.uk)
How are our veterinary nursing team different to those in your usual veterinary practice?
They aren’t!
Our nursing team are all Registered Veterinary Nurses. They all have at least 3 years post qualification experience working within British veterinary practices. Additionally, many of our team have advanced qualifications and knowledge. A large proportion of our team have also worked within referral centres, specialist hospitals and dedicated emergency and critical care clinics. Our veterinary healthcare team are also committed to continuous professional development. They complete additional training and development each year. They now work in telehealth rather than a traditional practice. This is the remote delivery of veterinary care. Above all it complements the care provided by a veterinary practice. It is not a replacement for a physical assessment when required.
Our veterinary healthcare team offer teletriage. During each consultation they complete a pet-centric and structured assessment of your pets condition. This process safely and quickly determines the level of urgency required for on-going care. The healthcare team will give advice and recommendations for your pets continued care . If this involves a recommendation to contact your usual veterinary practice, you will be given advice that allows you to avoid out of hours care if it is safe to do so.
How can we help you?
If you have a pet health question or require advice on pet care our talented and highly skilled Registered Veterinary Nurses are available to assist you. This is a 24 hr service 365 days of the year and accessed via our members area. Our experienced nursing team hold a wide range of post graduate qualifications in areas including emergency and critical care, senior patient care, mobility, behaviour, bereavement, and nutrition.
