'Better' nurse in a referral centre

RE: 'Better' nurse in a referral centre

V E S — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:17:26 GMT

Oops I didn't read the original post haha My fault!

Still stand by my word that we are all amazing no matter what practice you may or may not be in!

I will be joining you in the chocolate eating...maybe after valentines when the chocolates are on sale?!

:-)

RE: 'Better' nurse in a referral centre

VetNurse Anon a/c — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 19:53:11 GMT

I wrote the original post and Alison has hit the nail on the head. I was not inferring that referral nurses are better nurses than GP nurses! It was purely a comment about me wishing to better myself and challenge myself to learn new things.

No offence was intended!

RE: 'Better' nurse in a referral centre

Alison Clare Hickman — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 16:35:07 GMT

apache and Victoria Stearman ...

Oooh - I read the OP as simply wanting to improve her skills in different disciplines - she did use the word 'better' but I felt it was aimed entirely at improving her own skills than saying referral nursing was of greater importance than 1st opinion... Hey ho, it is how you read the written word and therefore (possible) misunderstandings abound! Might be *I* am wrong? Ahem, entirely possible folks - so, in which case, you both make extremely valuable points!

I'm off to scoff some more chocolate (in advance of Valentine's Day when I am hoping to replenish my stocks. hahahah!!)

Peace and love and happiness. #sundaysareforonesies (unless I am on call and then I might put on something less fluffy...)

Ali h

RE: 'Better' nurse in a referral centre

V E S — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 16:02:29 GMT

Personally, I do not think it is fair to say that nurses working in referral are better than those who are not, or the other way around!

I trained in first opinion practice, but once I qualified in 2015 I went straight into referral. I have always been massively interested in medical nursing, and referral allowed me to learn and gain experience in this which I can say is the best thing I've done in my relatively short career. Though saying that, I am now moving back to first opinion work.

Referral can give so many opportunities, I disagree that in referral you are "just another nurse", and though we may not do minor ops like removing lumps, we often place N-O feeding tubes, arterial catheters for anaesthesia, perform blood donations, etc. I was still, as an individual, able to make a difference. Yes it can still be repetititive (I've lost track on the amount of dogs with lymphoma I've seen!!!) but some days can be completely different! Dogs in addisonian crisis, patients with hepatic encephalopathy, even ones with tetanus! I have met some first opinion nurses before that haven't heard of/used fluid pumps or syringe drivers...maybe I've been spoilt but without these I'm not sure I could cope !!

Not to say that first opinion practice does not give you opportunities. I have found in referral it is hard to make time to really focus on delivering the absolute best nursing you can sometimes, and you end up 'ticking boxes' when its crazy busy. Also, not having the opportunity to educate, whether client or student nurse. I love teaching, and something I really miss. I always loved doing nurse clinics, helping clients to give their pets the best they can! I want to become a clinical coach also, something that not all referral centres offer. Also not all referral work enables you to do emergency work so over the past few years I have rarely seen any.

My thoughts are that neither are better. They both require an amazing amount of skill, passion and caring and I think they all do an amazing job :-)