“This month SimplyCats want to address how important it is that we recognise the hard work and dedication of Registered Veterinary Nurses...May is allocated in the Veterinary calendar for this specific reason, to really pay special thanks to the tireless efforts of our RVNs. The practice has 3 Veterinary Nurses, Kelly Wright Head Nurse, Lucy Rose-Smith RVN and Tanya Bean RVN.
We feel so privileged to have them part of our team...and with over 24 years of experience collectively, we couldn’t be more proud and strongly believe they are a credit to the Veterinary Profession”.
The RVN’s Journey
An RVNs pathway into the profession can be varied, with some future nurses choosing to take on a Saturday job... usually volunteering and gaining them the all important foundations to later progress through to becoming a qualified Nurse.
The majority of cases are landing your place within an organisation that has Training Practice status as a “fledgling” Animal care assistant (ACA) or Auxiliary, your main responsibilities are helping out with day-to-day running of the practice and aiding the Clinical staff caring for the animals. Gradually over time you are put forward to “big school” or more appropriate Veterinary Nurse School...involving circuitous intervals at college learning theology, it’s with this indispensable knowledge where nurses can really put theory to practice.
Most commonly a Student Veterinary Nurse will spend as long as 2-3 years juggling case loads, shifts at work and completing numerous amounts of examinations/coursework...until finally one day the results are in…reading the words “you’ve passed” and seeing your name enlisted on the RCVS register of Veterinary Nurses is elating.
How Great are our Nurses?
To remain enlisted on the RCVS register, nurses take an oath of loyalty to the profession...along with upholding a high standard of care to their clients and beloved pets. They must undertake Continuous Progress Development (CPD).
This ensures that they are kept up to date with current procedures which enable them to maintain that high standard of care that is expected of them. The job role of a veterinary nurse is quite vast...it’s not just about making a good brew when a colleague/client is upset...they are so much more than a RVN.
They are a councillor, dietician, anaesthetist, radiographer, ultrasonographer, lab technician, consultant, surgeon, pharmacist, phlebotomist, kennel maid, cleaner...the list goes on! There is much, much more to the profession that is unseen by the public. We would like to pay special thanks to all the Veterinary Nurses within the Veterinary World.
Here’s what our own Nurses had to say....
Kelly, our head nurse said… “I can honestly say that, I truly love my job...I’ve been in the industry over 14 years now and I still get a warm, fuzzy feeling when I get in my car going to work. For me, the most rewarding thing about my job is treating a patient until they are feeling better and receiving the unconditional gratitude that comes with it.
I adore my regular clients who specifically ask for their cat to see me, it makes me feel so special and valued. Like any job it has its dark moments, but, what I’ve learned from being in the role is that you start each day with a clean slate and strive to provide the best care possible...treat the patients as if they were your own is my unbroken philosophy.”
Lucy spoke out about her rewarding points… “RVNs are such an important part of a veterinary practice, we have so many skills to offer. I absolutely love taking care of patients whether they are with us just for the day or for a period of time. It's not just about making them clinically well but giving them comfort and tlc too. Another part I love about my job is weight & senior clinics. If I can offer any advice during these consults that helps make any cat's life happier and more comfortable then I've done my job.
Being an RVN is not for the faint hearted. It is hard work, long hours, years of intense training and it puts you through an emotional roller-coaster on a daily basis.
We've worked hard for our qualifications and we do our job everyday to have a positive impact on the health & wellbeing of all the animals we meet."
Tanya, added... “I’ve worked in veterinary practice for 25 years and I still never tire of seeing a content inpatient tucking into a bowl of food! There’s no better feeling than helping animals get back to full health and making the whole experience for them and their owners as stress free as possible.
Working in veterinary practice requires a close knit team and sometimes they can feel like your second family. It’s lovely to work with like-minded people and colleagues who can help you through the inevitable tough days.
Like Lucy says veterinary work is not for the faint hearted but there’s no other career I could imagine myself doing.”