Disabilities in the veterinary nursing profession

Re: Disabilities in the veterinary nursing profession

Sasha Arnott — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:58:25 GMT

Thank you :-)

Re: Disabilities in the veterinary nursing profession

Dippy — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:58:18 GMT

If you've decided that's the right thing for you to do, then fair play to you and lots of luck in whatever you move on to. However, I just wanted to comment on your last sentence as I think the word "incompetencies" is being a litte harsh on yourself. Just because you may be physically unable to perform every task due to your visual impairment, does NOT make you incompetent, remember that and don't ever put yourself down because of it!

Re: Disabilities in the veterinary nursing profession

Sasha Arnott — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:20:07 GMT

Thank you both for replying to my post :)

I have had my visual impairment since birth and have seen an opthalmologist periodically ever since. There is nothing that can be done to improve my sight unfortunately.

I have recently decided that veterinary nursing is not the right career for me as there are too many obstacles to overcome. My visual impairment is too severe and I do not feel safe.

I am very upset that I have to give up but I think that it is a good decision. I couldn't forgive myself if an animal died because of my incompetencies.

Re: Disabilities in the veterinary nursing profession

Catherine Raymond — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:21:44 GMT

As a consequence of my brain problem, I have shaky hands which looks great in front of owners, even better when I slur/stutter my speech! Some have even asked if I was drunk! Sometimes the others notice the odd mixed up words and pull me aside to take time out. I am surrounded by a good team. I will only do nurse clinics or speak to owners on reception if I'm feeling ok or I can cover it over by joking about my shaky hands saying I need extra tea/chocolate!

My daughter is nearly blind in one eye, and can only see things close up. Have used different coloured paper with her, which helps. Pastel colours seem to help more.

Re: Disabilities in the veterinary nursing profession

Sal the 1st — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:27:32 GMT

I have poor/no peripheral vision right eye and advanced keratoconus left eye and I am overall shortsighted - my biggest problem used to be kennel doors that were left open and I had a habit of walking into them (fairly easily solved by putting a coloured tape strip along the leading edge or even clipping on a brightly coloured peg or pegs to the bars so it made them easier for me to see - even more easily solved if kennel doors werent left open in the first place tho. Steps or stairs I didnt find having a coloured strip on the edge of each step which was suggested was actually very useful and I found that if I could 'feel' for the edge of the step with my toe before taking a step down or actually come down slightly sideways I was a lot safer - and once you have been in a building for any length of time you instinctively know where the steps are going to be. Labwork I found the little clip on magnifiers you get with some of the insulin syringes can be used on a lot of the pipettes (probably not that important now as virtually nobody does things long hand anymore). Microscopy because of double vision I find a monocular microscope is easier for me to use (or using a binocular with one eye closed).

Suturing and dentals to be really honest if my eyesight was affecting my ability to do these I would think twice about doing them because of the potential to cause harm. If this really was unavoidable then I would be practising every chance I got with a banana for sutures or a tippexed or painted surface for scale and polish until I was happy that what I was doing was safe. It is important that your employer is fully aware of your limitations and any changes to your eyesight for your safety , their safety and the safety of the animals you are involved with. If you can save some of the clip on magnifiers from the insulin syringe packs that arent needed by clients they should help you a lot with drawing up into 1ml syringes - always try to have one in your pocket handy.

It all really depends on how your disability manifests - for me it is poor periferal vision to one side, and can be haloes or double vision depending on light quality, poor perception of depth when looking down and shortsightedness , and also how long you have had this condition. I have managed with my eye 'differences' since I was 6 so I feel I have pretty well adapted but there has been some deterioration and I have always said that if I considered these differences affected my ability to do the job I would have to think carefully about how 'safe' I was performing my duties and if it was in anybody's best interests for me to continue - I have no wish to be a danger to myself , the people I work alongside or the animals I am nursing . If you havnt already seen an orthoptist I would recommend you ask your optician or gp for a referal as they may be able to suggest a lot of things you can do for yourself to help the situation. Hope this is of some use. Feel free to pm me if you feel it would help