Veterinary nurses are an integral part of the veterinary practice team so team working and communication skills are key to a successful career. Veterinary nurses are often the first port of call for clients, forming strong bonds with them to ensure improved animal health and welfare for their pets.

There is no typical day for a veterinary nurse (VN) and duties are very dependent on the veterinary practice you work for.

Inpatients

Veterinary nurses have an essential role to play with inpatients and often create nursing care plans for patients.

Aspects of inpatient care include:

  • Admitting patients into the practice to have diagnostic tests, observations or surgical procedures.
  • Managing the treatments of inpatients, monitoring their pulse, respiration and temperature. Checking their intravenous fluid therapy is set up correctly and running according to the calculations you have made. Bandaging and checking wounds. Taking blood samples and running them in the laboratory machines or examining them under a microscope. Taking the dogs outside to toilet, catching urine samples and examining it under the microscope. Monitoring glucose levels of diabetic patients.
  • Preparing theatre and equipment ready for the day’s procedures. Prepare the patient for surgical procedures by clipping the surgical area, cleaning the area, positioning the animal on the theatre table. Monitoring general anaesthesia. Handing sterile equipment to the surgeon. Cleaning the patient following surgery. Monitoring the recovery phase and handing the patient back to kennels to be observed. Dental cleaning or suturing wounds.

Clients and their Pets

Veterinary nurses are often the educators of pet owners; giving advice on a number of topics such as preventative healthcare, neutering, feeding and endo and ectoparasite control.

  • Some practices run nurse clinics where the VN manages consultations with clients and their pets on topics such as weight management, controlling type 2 diabetes and geriatric health checks.
  • Whilst there is a lot of joy in the job, there are often times of moral dilemmas and sadness. It is essential that you are resilient and able to adapt to the different aspects of the job. Veterinary nurses will often be called upon to support clients during difficult times, deliver bad news and to aid the veterinary surgeon in euthanasia.

Practice Management

There are many areas within the practice that are managed by VNs; these include:

  • Dispensing medicines that have been prescribed by the veterinary surgeon.
  • Stock control of the medicines and equipment needed by the practice.
  • Overseeing the VN team by creating rotas and allocating tasks.
  • Leading in specific areas of patient care such as wound management or palliative care.
  • Cleaning is a really important part of the role as biosecurity and hygiene are critical in preventing the spread of disease to other patients, members of staff and clients.