There is no shame in asking others for help when you ' re unsure of any aspect of veterinary nursing . It is important to focus on developing your weaker areas , whether you ' re a SVN or an RVN . That way , you can become more comfortable , confident and rounded in your veterinary nursing skills .
Diabetes was a weak area for me throughout my training , so I later decided to tackle my lack of knowledge and complete a few continuing professional development ( CPD ) courses on diabetes . Developing my knowledge has allowed me to run and develop diabetes clinics at the practice . Even now , though , I still find it difficult to remember everything , and the thought of explaining diabetes to an owner and advising on how to treat it still scares me .
The veterinary profession is an ever-changing and evolving field , and new information and techniques are always arising , so it makes sense to ask for help or advice when needed , and most practices encourage keeping up with your CPD .
The job is extremely rewarding
Veterinary nursing is a fantastic and rewarding career . Before I started in this role , I didn ' t realise I would get so emotionally involved with cases and feel genuine elation when patients start to improve . Before then , a job was just a job , whereas veterinary nursing feels almost like a way of life to me and many others ; a day at work is always different and genuinely enjoyable . Every day is a school day – we ' re continually learning and new and interesting cases regularly walk through the door .
Planning and teamwork help
Whether you ' re a veterinary care assistant , SVN or RVN , life in a veterinary practice can be overwhelming at times . The veterinary profession is physically and mentally demanding and , sometimes , it can take its toll on you . I didn ' t realise how tiring the job could be . Shifts are often long and demanding , with little time to stop and catch your breath . However , days can run smoothly , particularly when planned correctly , and it helps to be surrounded by a good team . The job can be exhausting , especially in a busy practice , but it can also be satisfying when you and your team conquer a busy day and have helped lots of animals .
It ' s impossible to predict all the cases that will be brought into the practice on a given day , and most of us have been in a situation where a critical patient arrives 5 minutes before closing – that ' s the nature of the career we ' re in . Every day is different in veterinary medicine and that ' s why I love it . Some days are filled with routine neutering and vaccinations ; others are crammed with emergency procedures . The profession certainly keeps us on our toes !
On busy days , it can be helpful to have a plan of action in place to ensure the practice runs efficiently . For example , making sure that all team members and equipment are prepared for scheduled surgical procedures and consultations . It can be beneficial to start the day with a team briefing to provide updates about ongoing cases , discuss key matters for the day ahead and assign roles accordingly . Good planning and communication help to ensure the practice works like a well-oiled machine , even when it ' s under pressure .
I remember a particular case a few years ago : a golden retriever had eaten an entire food buffet , including alcoholic jelly shots ! I was working night shifts at the time and spent the week nursing him back to health . He was suffering from abdominal pain , vomiting , diarrhoea and pancreatitis . Pancreatitis is a disease seen commonly in veterinary practice , where the pancreas becomes inflamed . It can be caused by ingestion of excess fats , often from scavenging food or if an animal is fed a high-fat diet [ 1 ] . In severe cases , pancreatitis can cause death . Following an exploratory laparotomy procedure , the patient was admitted to the hospital for ongoing care .
At the start of the week , he was one unhappy dog – recumbent , anorexic and depressed – but he gradually improved and was eventually well enough to walk and be discharged with ongoing medication . I felt extremely proud as I watched him trot off with his owner at the end of the week . On days when we ' re struggling , it can help to look back and remember the successful cases we ' ve been involved in treating , as they remind us of why we chose to work in this wonderful profession .
Your mental health is important
Open communication is crucial in allowing team members to discuss their feelings and concerns with each other , which can help to improve the overall mental wellbeing of the team . Unfortunately , the number of people reporting mental health problems has risen throughout the veterinary profession . Vetlife reported a
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