Vet Surgeon vs Vet Nurse in common practice

RE: Vet Surgeon vs Vet Nurse in common practice

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 09:38:57 GMT

Agree wholeheartedly it depends how the conversation/message is communicated - respectfully (both sides) or if a failure to do so (by the VS in this instance), I'd use my default very polite and respectful response. Nothing like gentle persuasion by the art of diplomacy and goodness in the face of less than commendable attitude!

As for the reasons WHY this question was asked by the poster, they haven't publically shared. So, depending on the reason, I'm going to say as an RVN there ARE some things that I am responsible for that place me in a position of 'seniority' over a VS; and in one matter particularly, that of infection control and cleanliness of the practice (say, theatre as one prime example). I'd be polite and firm that this aspect of my responsibility was not compromised by a VS. In my experience, all VS I've worked with have honoured my 'seniority (read responsibility) in this respect and starting from when I was an SVN status onwards!

As previously detailed though, respect at all times. If not met with it, elevate it to the next level (eg Head Nurse) and explain (not complain) what's occurred.

Ali h

RE: Vet Surgeon vs Vet Nurse in common practice

Kate Dutton — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 23:06:38 GMT

I think it is HOW you voice your opinions or thoughts that matters -

But surely this goes both ways? Why should nurses tread carefully so as not to offend, but vets can say it however they like? I doubt there will be threads on the vet forum about how to speak carefully to nurses so as not to come across as patronising? I often wonder what sort of team these "arrogant" nurses have worked with previously to make them so aggressive / defensive

RE: Vet Surgeon vs Vet Nurse in common practice

rebeccawright — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 14:08:53 GMT

[quote user="WelshyNurse"][quote user="Scottywildcat"]Personally I dont think a nurse should ever be telling any vet what to do as they are senior to us and we should respect that, but thats just me, Im sure lots of others will disagree. Thats not to say nurses shouldnt be highly valued members of the veterinary team but I think some highly experienced RVNs get above themselves at times and act as though they are in the top position in the practice, not the vet.[/quote][/quote]

I agree with this, though I do not think nurses should be afraid to voice opinions if they feel there is something that could be done differently. I recently undertook a training session with our vets about wound management after attending some CPD and webinars, as their approach was a little dated. They appreciated the refresher and updated information and I approached it in a respectful manner so as not to feel like I was saying they did not know what they were doing.

I think it is HOW you voice your opinions or thoughts that matters, I have worked with some arrogant nurses who have sounded like they were telling the vets off for doing something "wrong" just because it was not the way they were taught.

We need to remember that we are in an ever changing profession and if a nurse has more up to date information or training in a subject they should feel able to have a grown up discussion with the vet into why the vet does it that way and may a more up to date way be better?

RE: Vet Surgeon vs Vet Nurse in common practice

WelshyNurse — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 12:19:17 GMT

[quote user="Scottywildcat"]Personally I dont think a nurse should ever be telling any vet what to do as they are senior to us and we should respect that, but thats just me, Im sure lots of others will disagree. Thats not to say nurses shouldnt be highly valued members of the veterinary team but I think some highly experienced RVNs get above themselves at times and act as though they are in the top position in the practice, not the vet.[/quote]

RE: Vet Surgeon vs Vet Nurse in common practice

Scottywildcat — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 11:10:13 GMT

Personally I dont think a nurse should ever be telling any vet what to do as they are senior to us and we should respect that, but thats just me, Im sure lots of others will disagree. Thats not to say nurses shouldnt be highly valued members of the veterinary team but I think some highly experienced RVNs get above themselves at times and act as though they are in the top position in the practice, not the vet.

RE: Vet Surgeon vs Vet Nurse in common practice

Taku — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 08:15:29 GMT

I was/am looking at a vet hospital employing both vets and nurses where in some cases I see it as disrespectful and unprofessional of a vet refusing to be told anything by a nurse cause the have been at varsity 5/6 years hence he/she will say they know more. If the nurse was not vital I think they wouldn't be employed in the first place cause the vet will just do all.However Eg I once had a case were I asked a junior vet to put on theatre shoes which was part of the protocol and he was like I am learned more when he is operating that week he calls the shots,til I become a surgeon then I can tell him too. Those kind of scenario in common practice and how colleagues deal with them.

Thanks a lot for your valuable views and feedback .

RE: Vet Surgeon vs Vet Nurse in common practice

Scottywildcat — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 20:01:32 GMT

In a busy practice I think all the staff are equally important, in that everyone has their part in the smooth running of it. All staff members should be respected and valued. But at the end of the day, the vet is at the top of the hierarchy, and rightly so, they are surgeons, and 5 years at vet college is a hard slog. They have far greater responsibilities than nurses. Also in the old days most practices didnt even have a nurse or even a receptionist, just vets. I have the greatest respect for vets as its a profession that requires great academic ability ( just to get into vet school ) never mind the vast amount they learn while at college and also in practice. Unfortunately it attracts its share of walking egos and downright nasty people and nurses often do get the brunt of it. I think most of us could tell a story or two! In my last practice I was treated like absolute dirt by one of the young, newly qualified vets, she acted as though I was a total simpleton who couldnt be trusted to do one thing right. When I tried to discuss it with her she didnt want to know. She was unprofessional, simple as that, but there always will be people like that. Often its not just vets v nurses, it can be nurses against fellow nurses, or receptionists against nurses etc etc, it seems to be one of these working environments where either everyone gets on really well and are a tight team or there is bitching, backstabbing and jealousy. Especially when there are lots of women working together!

RE: Vet Surgeon vs Vet Nurse in common practice

Selena Carnell — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 19:29:36 GMT

when i was a first year trainee, i was told I was too stupid to ever become a veterinary nurse and all i was good for was scrubbing walls.. I left the practice and qualified 3 yrs later.. had great joy in writing to said practice to inform them i was qualified.. they invited me back to come 'say hello'... yes when hell freezes over!

RE: Vet Surgeon vs Vet Nurse in common practice

WelshyNurse — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 18:11:53 GMT

'More important' is not a phrase I would use. But they are senior to a vet nurse.

A practice could run without a vet nurse, but not without a vet.