nurses and surgery

RE: nurses and surgery

Sal the 1st — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 08:45:17 GMT

1)not currently but in the past have done a lot (mostly when working in charity)

2) stitch ups, lump removals, pinna removals scc in cats (where margins had previously been defined by vs) tail amps, toe amps, mamm t's - again where fna had been done and margins had been previously agreed with vs)

3) Confident? - mostly yes - not so happy mam t's

4) vet was about if I ran into problems but mostly left to get on with it

would I do it now given the chance - probably not. There are enough vets where I work for them to do their own and if I'm honest I am a lot more cautious than I used to be. Another factor is that I got fed up doing stitch ups that vets couldn't be bothered with (in one case because he wanted to watch the footy) because while I was doing the stitch up and he was watching the footy nobody was doing my job - and I was busy enough doing my job without taking on somebody elses. I suppose I realised surgery really doesn't float my boat, it wasn't what I came into the job for but a good medical case and working out all the clues the animal is giving you - that interests me more

RE: nurses and surgery

molladog — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 08:34:37 GMT

I used to perform a variety of surgical procedures in my last practice ranging from aural haematomas, tail amputations, lump removals, stitch ups and closing up after ops. I monitored the anaesthetic too. Assisting with field ops on cows with displaced abomasums, I stitched up one side while the vet did the other. Very comfortable and confident doing all of these and it released a vet to do consults at busy times.[:+ I do not have the opportunity to do any of these now where I work and really miss doing these things.

RE: nurses and surgery

Heather Bacon — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 19:47:26 GMT

Nurses are allowed to perform surgery in our hospital (charity) and are actively encouraged. However it doesn't happen very often as many nurses are reluctant or their isn't always enough staff for a nurse to do surgery and one for the GA, or sometimes a good stitch up would come in but it is really crazy out the back and just needs a vet to get it done quickly.

1) I performed my first very small stitch up a few weeks ago. It went ok, however it ended up with the owner not using the collar and the dog chewed open it's wound and became infected. Although I knew it wasn't my fault I felt heavily responsible, and it has put me off doing any more.

2) The nurses are allowed to do everything that is allowed (lump removals, stitch ups, toe/tail amps etc) so long as the vet is happy for them to do so.

3) Definitely not confident. We sometimes do a bit of suture practice on fake skin in our nurse meetings. Am going on the improve schedule 3 surgery day this week. I am not sure if it is something I 'want' to do, and probably won't be putting myself forward for it all the time (main interests are in anaesthesia & ECC). But I am excited to be learning a new skill.

4) All the vets in my practice are very helpful and would monitor if required/requested. Otherwise if they were happy with what you were going to do, and you were happy....then they would leave you with one of the more experienced RVNs who has surgery experience....the vet would check up on you every now and then.