Using the term veterinary nurse has a considerable benefit in that clients are already familiar with the doctor-nurse relationship for their own care. Photo: Macrovector/BigstockOne of the great blessings of my career, until COVID restricted my travel, has been visiting multiple hospitals to train communication classes and do observations. Over the many years I have been doing this, I have been struck and often flabbergasted at the disparity of technician utilization. As someone who, prior to consulting, had limited exposure to licensed techs, I was absolutely blown away the first time I visited a large specialty and ER clinic and watched RVTs calculating drug doses, changing bandages, removing sutures, placing all types of catheters, maintaining animals on fluids, and even administering chemotherapy drugs.
For years, I had seen DVMs performing these tasks and even more basic ones such as trimming nails and cleaning ears. Once I was enlightened to the incredible skills of these professionals, I could not figure out why overworked veterinarians did not leverage these pros to the max. So, I set out to find out why.
I believe some of the root causes may harken back to veterinary education. In my visits to veterinary schools and conversations with staff members at all levels, it seems students are trained to perform nursing care along with their DVM duties.
