Image: Coquet Vet’s RVNs
The month of May is Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to highlighting the important role that nurses play in practice.
How do you become a Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month?
Veterinary Nurse training is done at college. This can either be through an apprenticeship course or a Level 3 course. The course typically takes around three years to complete. While studying, you will also work in a Registered Veterinary Practice learning the practical skills. The course is a mixture of written exams, course work, and practical examinations.
What can a Registered Veterinary Nurse do?
Our RVNs perform a wide range of roles and clinical tasks.
Testing
RVN’s carry out diagnostic tests such as blood tests, testing urine samples, and in-house cytology. Our RVNs take x-rays, including stifles, hips, elbows, and dental x-rays.
Surgery and medical treatments
RVN’s can also undertake minor surgery and medical treatments if asked to by the veteri-nary surgeon. This includes dentistry procedures such as scale and polish and suturing wounds, as well as administering fluid therapy and medications.
During any operation, your pet will be monitored under anaesthesia by an RVN. Using their skills to maintain and read a wide variety of monitoring equipment ensures that your pet is safe, and we can respond to any concerns immediately.
Nurse consultations and clinics
You may be more familiar with the role RVNs undertake in the consultation room. Here is a list of different tasks our RVNs do on a daily basis.
New Puppy, Kitten, or Rabbit Advice
Worming and Flea Treatment Advice
Dietary Advice
Weight Loss Clinics
Post-operative checks, e.g., post-neutering and post-dental checks
Bandage Changes
Microchipping - now a legal requirement for dogs and cats
Advice on Coquet Pet Club
Nail Clipping
2nd and 3rd Puppy Vaccinations
Tick Removing
Dental Checks
Expressing Anal Glands
Senior Clinics
Removing Stitches
Taking Blood for Testing
We are incredibly proud of our RVNs. They are an essential part of our clinical team and help us provide the very best care for your pet throughout their lifetime.
