Day 8 – Dentals
A vet will be doing the extractions, but more often than not it’s the nurse’s job to scale and polish the teeth, whilst checking for signs of gum and dental disease. The nurse will inform the vet if these are found and will recommend teeth that need to be removed. I’ve been told by some vets that some nurses have ‘powers’ when it comes to dentals, and can make teeth fall out by simply looking at them! Amazing! Of course, dentals can be prevented through the gold standard practice of brushing! Using a dog or cat friendly toothpaste only (as fluoride in our toothpaste is bad for them!) brushing everyday can prevent build-up of plaque – ask your Veterinary Nurse to show you how to easily do this!
Day 9 – Client Support
Veterinary Nurses often have lovely close relationships with clients as they are not only at the front of house, admitting animals, running nurse clinics, etc, but they are usually the ones nursing your pet back to health following illness or surgical procedures, forming a strong emotional bond.
A Veterinary nurse will be there for the animal and the client at times of distress and heart ache as well.
We know, we’ve been there, we know the pain that losing a family member causes and we are here to tell you that we are there for you and understand what you are going through.
We are here to support you at all times!
Day 10 – Further research / studies
Most nurses will go on to do further qualifications, specialise in a specific area or go into professions such as teaching and lecturing. Some, like myself, go on to write articles for the profession, on subjects that are passionate to them, and about experiences they have been through. I am passionate about reptiles and wrote two articles on them to give other nurses the knowledge that I had learnt at my practice. I personally enjoy the research and the fact that it was a good refresher for me as well! Striving forward in your career as a Veterinary Nurse brings up new challenges, and a further sense of achievement – which I feel is utterly important!
Day 11 – Fight for their profession and those within it
Currently, qualified veterinary nurses have been fighting to have our name as a VN protected. This is because other members of the team who may be working in the vet environment as kennel assistants, or as ‘nurses’ who are not qualified or properly trained (not confusing them with a student nurse who is going through the process of becoming qualified), can call themselves a nurse. We want to protect our title, ensuring that only those who have gone through these many years of training can call themselves a veterinary nurse. I also wish to point out that kennel assistants and animal nursing assistants do a fantastic job and are a great and essential part of the team, but should not be mistaken for a qualified nurse.
Day 12 – Volunteer work
Many VN’s will cross the world to the poorest regions of the globe in order to help those animals who are suffering and are in need. Many go to areas where overbreeding and rabies are a problem, and will go to neutering clinics, funded entirely by charities, and assist the vets in their long daily procedures. This is something I would absolutely love to do one day!
Day 13 – Give vaccinations and microchips
Often a second vaccination will be given by the Veterinary Nurse, a great opportunity as well for clients to discuss their pet and obtain any advice they need. Microchipping is also performed by VN’s and takes only seconds to do! Important now that Microchipping has been made a legal requirement.
If you are unsure about what you are vaccinating for then go and ask your Veterinary Nurse! We are more than happy to go through everything with you and chat about any worries you may have!
Day 14 – Charity work
It’s often not good enough to only help those who come in to the practice; lots of VN’s, like myself, like to raise money for charity – be it animal or human charities. I have organised tea parties for the Blue Cross, raised money for Hounds for Heroes, run and organised Christmas raffles and have done my first triathlon, raising over £600 for the Support Dogs. I have had an absolutely amazing time doing these challenges, and have been overwhelmed by the support and donations to some incredible charities over the years. There is so much we can do to help those less fortunate than ourselves, and we are lucky to be in a position to do this (and have such generous and caring clients as well!)
Go on – take on a challenge today and raise money for your local dog shelter, cat rescue, animal sanctuary etc!
