INTRODUCTION

Nurses' clinics have only started to take off in veterinary practice relatively recently. However, they have quickly proven their worth, and are surely the way of the future for many practices.

The Benefits

• For animals 
  Nurses' clinics are largely used as a way of offering preventative care and advice. For example, Puppy Parties are used to inform owners how to prevent a wide range of problems in later life, geriatric clinics are used to indentify and prevent the development of age-related problems. Obesity clinics are used to treat and prevent the recurrence of weight problems. And so on, and so on. The benefits of this preventative approach for pets need no further explanation.
   
• For owners
  Primarily, low-cost or free advice about how best to care for their pet, from a trusted source. Also, the reassurance of knowing that, by taking a preventative approach to the care of their pet, it is likely to live a longer, healthier life. Finally, an opportunity to develop a closer relationship with practice staff, who they know they'll be able to contact for advice whenever needed.
   
• For the practice
  Nurses' clinics are proven as an excellent way to bond clients and ensure they remain loyal to the practice. In addition, nurses' clinics offer a multitude of opportunities to generate income for the practice. Once again, we stress that this is not a cynical exercise. The fact is that if a client brings their pet to you for a geriatric health check, as a result of which you identify a problem that requires treatment, you have acted very much in the best interests of the pet and its owner. The fact that treatment generates income is, frankly, incidental. 
  
  Nurses' clinics also enable more cost-efficient time management for staff at the practice. Nurses and support staff salaries are less than those of veterinary surgeons. Every time a pet owner consults a nurse, rather than a vet about preventative health care, it is effectively money saved. 
  
  Finally, giving nurses and support staff the ability to run autonomous, or semi-autonomous clinics is excellent for practice morale. It is a clearly-defined role through which nurses can use their skills and knowledge to benefit clients, and contribute to the financial success of the practice - without in any way infringing upon the role of the veterinary surgeon. Being given the responsibility for and running a successful nursing clinic is a very rewarding experience.