Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

emvn80 — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:45:40 GMT

Hi,

As previously said once you have qualified as a veterinary technician you need a licence in the state you wish to work in. Therefore if you were a VN wanting to go and work in the States you would need to conatct the state you wanted to work in to find out if they would recognise the RVN qulaification as enough to get a licence.

What you are allowed to do legally also varies from state to state but from what I can gather it is pretty similar to here, although they can still do epidurals and CSF in most states I believe.

The reason why many Vet Techs in the States appear more 'qualified' I think is because it is easier to specialise in your area of interest and become a veterinary technician specialist (VTS) in that area- neurology, critical care and anaesthesia to name a few.

I am a Veterinary Tecnician Specialist in Anesthesia and they recognised my VN qualification as an alternative entry requirement to their technicians qualification.

As an aside, my experience of Vet Techs if they choose to specialise they seem to get recognised much more in their own right with not only respect to legalities but also in the veterinary profession, seeing VTS specialists in critical care and anesthesia speak at conferences in the States inspired me not only to become a VTS Anesthesia but also to believe my professional opinion can and does stand for soemthing and not to be afraid of standing up and teaching people/passing on knowledge you have gained. They have their own specialist veterinary technician acadamies (I am a member of the Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists (AVTA) by becomming a VTS (Anesthesia) and they give talks, publish book, articles etc and teach.

Hope that helps a bit,

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

NJ_VN — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:38:25 GMT

Thanks that was really helpful

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Tamara Barbosa — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 09:55:26 GMT

Hello!

I am from the US and just recently moved to the UK a few years ago. I had all my formal training done in the US in the state of South Carolina. To become a vet tech, you have to go to an accredited school and obtain an associates degree in animal health science/veterinary technology (a 2 year degree). After you graduate, you have to sit the VTNE, which is the Veterinary Technician National Exam. Once you have passed that exam, depending on what state you are going to practice in, you will have to take that state's exam. Some states require you to take a written exam, others you just need to submit your qualifications. I am registered in the state of SC as well as Massachusetts. When i moved to the UK, i had to have my qualifications assessed by the RCVS, then paid to be put on the register.

As far as I am aware, our qualifications are very similar. In the US, a Veterinary Technician can do anything but 1.) Diagnose a patient 2.) Prescribe medication 3.) Do surgery that enters into a body cavity. It all depends on where you work and who you work for as to how much of your skill you will be able to use. Some places let their Techs do everything they are trained and qualified to do. Others just use you as a glorified assistant. So its all in finding the right place that fits what you want to do.

Hope this has been helpful. I know it was a huge hassle to obtain a visa to work in the UK, being a US citizen, so i can only imagine how difficult it will be the other way around. If there is anything else I can be of help with, let me know!

~Tamara

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Claire Cameron — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:21:28 GMT

[quote user="Katie Mansfield"]

That's odd, cos I've heard that their vet techs are "more qualified" than our RVNs!! Certainly they can do specialised exams after their qualification, which we can't achieve here. Would be interesting to hear the answer.

K x

[/quote]

I have always been under the same impression

If you search on here there have been previous threads on this topic with links on who to contact.

When I looked into it it appeared time consuming and quite difficult as immigration laws are strict.

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/p/8439/81932.aspx#81932

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/p/7570/74110.aspx#74110

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/p/12833/113050.aspx#113050

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Katie Mansfield — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:12:14 GMT

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Caro Laithwaite VN — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:13:08 GMT

Yuppers we are actually the only ones who speak correct English and pronounce words correctly (spelling and grammar with me are bad though) but voice is word perfect

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Katie Mansfield — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:38:18 GMT

[quote user="Caro Laithwaite VN,"]

They speak funny in usa and have trouble pronouncing their words correctly you will need to train them to pronounce things correctly very strange people over there.

[/quote]

.....says the Rhodesian

Luv ya Caro,

K x

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Caro Laithwaite VN — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:23:28 GMT

They speak funny in usa and have trouble pronouncing their words correctly you will need to train them to pronounce things correctly very strange people over there.

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Vicky RVN — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:20:18 GMT

I too was under the impression that US vet techs were higher qual than UK VNs.

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Katie Mansfield — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:13:54 GMT

K x

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Victoria Nielsen RVN — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:34:20 GMT

I actually worked with a vet who is from the United States and worked with us as a locum vet for a while and he said vet techs are basically assistants. Vets do all the work and British nurses are much more qualified and skilled than vet techs. In some states they may recognise the RVN qualification and means you don't have to undertake the state exam, but only some states do this.

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

kaz84 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:05:20 GMT

this would be interesting to know as well. From what I understand you have to either have a science or applied science degree majoring in veterinary technology (in AUS they offer a Certificate 4 in nursing which is national standard qualification and also a BAppSC vet tech) and in each state you have to be licensed, registered and sit a board exam. it may be best to email the veterinary tech association america.https://www.navta.net

Re: Differences between vet nursing UK/USA

Vickipr — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:16:04 GMT

I'm interested to know the answer to this as well! Have considered moving to the US before and not sure what a Veterinary technician involves...