THE ROLE OF A VETERINARY NURSE   2000w

Veterinary nursing is a relatively young profession, it has only been established as a profession for the last 50 years, and has kept pushing the boundaries of the Para health care profession. Veterinary nurses perform a huge array of tasks from health care and basic animal welfare to diagnostic tests, medical treatments and assist in minor surgical procedures under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon. Veterinary nurses can work in a range of places, for example, in a general practice, a specialist centre, in education or industry. Veterinary nurses draw on their own personal experiences and base of knowledge to determine a care plan and the required nursing intervention for each patient throughout the animals stay in the practice. Vets are often assisted by registered veterinary nurses, who are able to both assist the vet and to autonomously practice a range of skills of their own, including minor surgery under direction from a responsible vet.

Veterinary surgeons have had in some form or another, assistance throughout the history of the profession. In 1908 the Canine Nurses Institute was set up as the first working Para Veterinary Institute where Veterinary assistants were trained as canine nurses. The founder of the Canine Nurses Institute was quoted saying the nurses would,” carry out directions of the veterinary surgeon, me