QVN's Opinion?....

Re: QVN's Opinion?....

S-J — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:01:59 GMT

i dont think most of us have a problem with it and indeed we tend to learn most of day to day stuff from them i know i did. ours is even known as the backbone of the practice, she doesnt do things that a qualified is allowed to do eg iv catheters and bloods but she is fantastic.

i am feeling a bit fed up at the moment though wondering what is the point on my rvn qualification as the students are pretty much able, allowed and asked to do everything that a qvn can do.
ok winge over cos i love them all

Re: QVN's Opinion?....

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:58:16 GMT

I agree with what has been said my only problem is when non qualified or those they work with or who know them call themselves nurses or veterinary nurses that is when l get angry, l worked hard for my qualification after leaving school at 15 with nothing. I have no problems otherwise and am happy to learn from anyone. It is just those 2 little words l have a problem with....

It extends to human side. My mum calls the carer that baths my dad a nurse, she can not understand why l keep saying oh you mean the carer and saying she is not a nurse (non of them call themselves nurses) it is my Mum and she should know better as she was a fully qualified nurse did her early training at guys around the war years but it was very different then. She cannot get her head around modern "human nurses" as she keeps saying in her day they NURSED patients not what passes for it nowadays.

Edit yes should have said about non quals doing what we have to slog our brains and guts out to qualify to do. But that is down to vets and rcvs fault not the non qual so sort of sideways to how l was looking at the question.

Re: QVN's Opinion?....

Emma Dillon — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:00:20 GMT

I have seen a few unqualified nurses and all of them knew a great deal and were very competent, I learnt from them, and in that respect I think there is always a place for members of veterinary staff who have no formal qualification.

However I worked 3 long hard years, moved practice, moved house, got divorced and due to all the other things in my life slogged my way through the training at the age of 30. I'm now 33 just passed and applying for my registration this weekend, so I would certainly say whatever your circumstance its doable.

I also agree that if you aren't a registered veterinary nurse, and you aren't qualified you shouldn't call yourself one or wear the uniform. It makes me sad that the RVN qualification is not always recognised and taken seriously by employers, and there are unqualified staff out there with name badges telling the public they are veterinary nurses. I think until that stops the profession won't have the proper recognition or pay scale it deserves.

Nursing assistants or whatever job title you prefer for unqualified staff and RVN's all deserve recognition for the work they do and the skill they bring to the table but at the end of the day they are not the same thing and shouldn't be placed in a box together.

Re: QVN's Opinion?....

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:45:27 GMT

I never would have said you were hated, Catwoman.

Personally, I dont have a problem if an unqualified person is employed to 'act' as a nurse. What I do have a problem with is if that person then calls themselves a VN and the public thick he/she is a VN - it is very misleading.

A uniform is only that - but I also feel only QVN should be able to wear the green uniform.

Re: QVN's Opinion?....

Cat Woman — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:32:36 GMT

loobylou, nice to hear that we're not as hated as I thought!!

Re: QVN's Opinion?....

beccie crossman — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:29:56 GMT

I worked as an unqualified nurse for 19 years and didn't see the point in qualifying. Then I worked for a wonderful vet who made me go to college at the age of 30 something and with 5 kids. I had to do pre VN first then the NVQ so it took me 3 years of hard work, a full time job and 5 kids, husband and loads of pets to look after. I passed with credit and my kids and hubby were so proud of me. I have never looked back and would urge anyone to go for it, there is so much more to learn and if I can do it you all can.

Re: QVN's Opinion?....

loobylou — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:17:31 GMT

In an ideal world all 'nurses' would be qualified and listed/ registered, however there are some people, who for whatever reason, haven't completed their training.
I recently worked with a girl who had been working in practice for around 12 years and I would certainly say she was more 'qualified' than me at that time . It certainly didnt make her any less a nurse and I would trust her to treat my own animals. We did attempt to put her through the training but she really struggled with the theory and so we didnt pursue it. She never passed herself off as a qualified nurse and she wore the stripey uniform as we did want to make the distinction between qualified or not.
I would always consider experienced nursing assisstants when advertising for qvn's.

Re: QVN's Opinion?....

Cat Woman — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:58:03 GMT

[quote user="Katy"]I was originally going to do my training., but for a number of reasons I am now no longer doing it. Wish I had done it straight out of school, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.[/quote]

More than happy for anyones opinion Katy. Like you I am no longer 18!! I stopped my training halfway through cos I moved & changed to a Practice that wasn't a TP. I wish I had been able to complete the training, but now I feel too old to start college again! I have worked with lots of QVNs & learnt alot. I have been very lucky in that being unqualified has not affected my ability to get a job.

Re: QVN's Opinion?....

Katy — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:49:19 GMT

I know you are asking for QVNs opinions, but I am going to tell you about me!

I was originally going to do my training., but for a number of reasons I am now no longer doing it. Wish I had done it straight out of school, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

The main thing I hate, and I do hate it, is not knowing how to do things properly... I know we get shown and taught stuff by the vets, but we have no QVN in practice and that would really help me.

I would love to be 10 years younger and doing my training, and I hope we get a QVN this century!!