Veterinary Nurses &
Assistants

What is Veterinary Nursing?

The veterinary nurse is first and most of all, an advocate for the animals and is responsible for the safety, comfort, cleanliness and well-being of the animal patient in a veterinary facility. The veterinary nurse is a role that wear many hats, from anesthetic monitoring, performing lab and microscopy works, reception, diagnostic imaging, surgical assisting, dentistry, sanitation and sterilization procedures, pharmacy procedures and many many more.

The importance of Veterinary Nurses

The duties and responsibilities of a Veterinary Nurse are much more than cuddling animals all day. Veterinary Nurses are trained to perform many medical procedures that are similar to human registered nurses. A veterinary nurse plays an important role in ensuring the daily routines and practices of a veterinary facility are effective and well-organized and adhere to strict SOPs in preventing errors and mistakes.

1. Control of the spread of infection - Veterinary Nurses are trained in proper facility and equipment sanitation and sterilization, as well as biosecurity management in the prevention of the spreading of diseases and microorganisms.

2. Prevention of antibiotic resistant bacteria - Hospitals are a great source of producing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are increasingly common. Most antibiotics are of little effect towards these resistant bacteria and we are heading towards a lack of new antibiotics to combat this problem. Veterinary Nurses are key in the prevention of development of these bacteria by practicing good hygiene SOPs in nursing and procedure practice, with an understanding of microbiology, biosecurity, as well as the pharmacology of drugs to prevent misuse that can lead to dire effects.

3. Client Communication - In a busy veterinary practice, veterinary nurses plays an important role in communicating and educating pet owners about the care and maintenance of their pets, as well as reassuring pet owners who has very sick pets by providing assistance and comfort.

4. Nursing and Patient Care - A veterinary nurse is most likely the first person to be able to observe changes in the status of a patient in the wards, and also the person who will provide important nutritional care, cleaning, comfort and warmth to the warded patient. One of the most important aspect of veterinary nursing is observation, and that plays a big role in the care, management and recovery of a sick pet.

5. Anesthesia monitoring & surgical nursing - A veterinary nurse is often the surgeon's assistant, as well as the person who checks the anesthetic equipment, prepare and maintain the surgical suite, ensuring the surgical tools and equipment are properly maintained and sterilized for use, ensure environmental hazards are kept within safe ranges, and also the preparation and monitoring of the patient undergoing surgery.

Veterinary Nursing School Education

In countries like the United States of America, Australia, and United Kingdom where certified veterinary nurses are legally recognized as a veterinary professional, syllabus includes