VN's training vets

Re: VN's training vets

Mrs Dot Dot — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 09:34:18 GMT

[quote user="Helen tottey"]

I got the idea having been asked to explain to an owner all the treatments/homecare needed for a cat with FLUTD that has blocked three times because the owner hasn't understood the condition. After talking to the clients for about 20 minutes, going through stress, number of litter trays in multi cat household, how to increase fluid intake and diet change off pouches to urinary (which they had thought was just to be given as a treat!), the client commented i had explained it better than 2 previous vets! As already mentioned in this thread - nurses often talk to clients more on their level instead of the vet "clinical" level.

[/quote]

This is where I think nurses come into our own- being able to spend time with the clients to explain in detail and back up what the vets have decided/ talked about is how I see us nurses in practice...... we are here to be part of the the team, we are good at what we do, and if allowed to do it add a huge part to any practice. We do not want to encroach on vets jobs but we compliment them and I think Helen has just given a good example of this. Clients often don't want to 'bother' a vet too much, but are happy to spend time with a nurse, so if we can do this, it bonds clients to the practice, allows the vets to get on with other parts of their job, gives the nurse job satisfaction and uses their knowledge to the full ( I love consulting/ talking to the clients), and is excellent client care.... which in this financial day and age is what all practices need to concentrate on, if they want to survive!

Re: VN's training vets

Helen Tottey — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:59:44 GMT

There is no agenda.

I just thought this question was a different way of asking if vets valued nurses and the imput we provide to practice life to the benefit of colleagues and clients.

Re: VN's training vets

Delightful — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:16:30 GMT

Very nicely put Mark

Re: VN's training vets

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:53:20 GMT

Imagine a new vet as a freshly trained junior officer. Imagine an experienced VN as a sergeant. Sure, the officer outranks the nco, but the smart officer listens. :)

Re: VN's training vets

Sal the 1st — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:47:05 GMT

Helen, what is the agenda here ? with this post and the other

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/t/17132.aspx

just curious

but in answer to both I have worked with a number of vets where we have been happy to discuss cases and exchange ideas re treatment and care and techniques and assist each other in a common aim but no I wouldnt say I have ever trained a vet.

Feeling valued depends on your motivation - if the motivation for the job is to earn a fantastic wage then I guess people are going to feel undervalued but if the motivation is to do a job you enjoy and work with people you are happy to spend time with working together to get a job done where you are respected then for me that is being valued.

I did read the letter in VT

Re: VN's training vets

Fuzzyduck — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:19:21 GMT

I think suggesting treatment to vets is a good idea, ie do you think this cat requires some pain relief? Sometimes vets can overlook things or dont think animals are uncomfortable as they dont spend as much time with them as nurses.

I often suggest things to vets with regards treatment and have never had a vet have any problems with it, obviously i would never argue with a vet over treatment plans, but often and especially inexperienced vets need a little guidance at first.

Re: VN's training vets

Katie Mansfield — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:07:16 GMT

I think when it comes to things like placing catheters, taking bloods, lab work, XRays, bandaging and other nursey-type things I think newly qualified vets are grateful for any input. I also think when it comes to writing care plans then a nurse's input is often welcomed as the nurse will probably think of nursing care a vet might over-look as they tend to be more focussed on the drugs and surgical side of things.

However I don't think there's ever a time when a nurse should "advise" a vet, even an inexperienced vet, on medical treatment.

K x