How do you feel about "Veterinary Nurse"

[mrparhamrvt]

Hello, I am a RVT (registered veterinary technician). There has been much debate within our profession about our title. There was a time when different states and organizations had made a push to change our title to veterinary nurse. Overseas, people are called veterinary nurses. As far as I understand, the US and Canada are the only countries that call us technicians. Please before anyone explodes, understand that I am not talking about using the term in a disrespectful way. I am an educated person who has acquired my associates degree in veterinary technology and I am currently working towards my bachelors. I had to take and pass a national examination to receive my license and I am required to maintain so many CE hours yearly to renew my license. I was required to take many core classes such as college english, math, bio and chem. After those classes I went on to my professional training which included A&P, path & dz, pharm, and anesthesia to name a few. I was required to perform an internship for 1 year while taking other classes (which lucky for me was at the university level beside many senior vet students). I also have taken a specialty internship in dentistry procedures.

Anyways, I guess what I want to know is do you as nurses have a problem with someone in my field using the term? I understand the legality of it and will not. However I was curious if any of you personally think it is inappropriate for those of us who have gone to college and received our degrees.

The reason I ask is at this point the legislation allows joe schmoe off the street with NO education to use the title technician. :angryfire If ANY of you have tips or would be willing to help out in informing the public about what TRUE technicians are I would greatly appreciate it.

Melanie R. Parham, RVT

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

i don't think that would bother me personally. i think its actually pretty cool... i spoke with one vet tech and she has done just about everything.... blood transfusions, helping the vet place feeding tubes in cats, and i guess that they even have cancer treatments for animals. she has dogs that are "donor" dogs for blood transfusions that go with her to work...the whole thing was just really interesting. she starts IV's, monitors the animals during and after surgery... everything.

and actually, if i remember correctly she was a nursing student and then decided to switch careers... she thought she'd enjoy being around the animals even more!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

There was a thread about this a year or two ago and it was split. Many nurses did not like the idea.

My dogs have had a couple of issues that have required vet care. It was a vet "nurse" who recovered him from surgery and monitored him, made sure he voided, did the post-op teaching to me, etc. If that's not nursing, I don't know what to call it. So I personally have no problem with you using the term "nurse".

Vets get to call themselves "Dr. so and so...", they get to call their offices " veterinary hospitals", it's only reasonable that where there is a hospital and doctors there would be nurses.

[nurturing_angel]

I wouldn't mind at all. I sometimes wish I had gone to school for veterinary medicine or nursing. I think animals show more appreciation than some humans when you give everything you have to them to make things better.

I agree that I wouldn't want just anyone off the street to be able to use the term. But if you got the education, I say why not?!!!

Vickie :balloons:

[jsauce]

I definitely consider the "vet techs" at my dog's vet hospital nurses. They even call themselves that, although I don't think it's official. I don't have a problem with it, and think that you deserve the title.

[ayndim]

In some states the title nurse is protected. In my state only RN or LPN is protected but in others it is the general title. And you could get in alot of trouble if the general term nurse is used. So I think finding a title that could be used universally would be better. I do understand you wanting a title besides tech. It is like non-nurses who work in doctors offices and don't correct a pt when they call them nurse. Don't flame me I realize that many MA's do correct people.

Not to be mean but I do think that you and those who have trained to the same level should find a unique title all your own. Something like Registered Assistant Vet. Or take action to protect your title of RVT just like RN's and LPN's have done. And are still fighting to protect the title nurse. And just like you feel protective of your title so do nurses and future nurses. My advice is to take steps to make sure that only those educated to a certain degree can use the the title of RVT. Besides, if you don't take steps to protect legislate educational requirements in your field you will find the same thing happening again no matter what the title.

[mrparhamrvt]

Something like Registered Assistant Vet. Or take action to protect your title of RVT just like RN's and LPN's have done. And are still fighting to protect the title nurse. And just like you feel protective of your title so do nurses and future nurses. My advice is to take steps to make sure that only those educated to a certain degree can use the the title of RVT. Besides, if you don't take steps to protect legislate educational requirements in your field you will find the same thing happening again no matter what the title.

I think you are so right. Unfortunately, so many people for so many years have used the term technician to refer to EVERYONE in the hospital, it is almost like those of us who are RVT, CVT, or LVT (depends on state) are lumped right in with the kennel cleaners. Anyways, veterinary assistant is the term that is supposed to be used by those without a degree. However, the same problem is arising with those who have actually received a certificate to hold that title. We do need more legislation! Unfortunately, when the public views us all the same it is hard to get the respect that many of us deserve for the education we have gained. Like I said earlier, any thought sor ideas on what we could do or organizations who might be willing to help us acheive more recognition. Perhaps some nursing associations?

[mrparhamrvt]

I definitely consider the "vet techs" at my dog's vet hospital nurses. They even call themselves that, although I don't think it's official. I don't have a problem with it, and think that you deserve the title.

The problem is...are they really techs? Have they gone to school to use this title or are they glorified kennel help that uses it incorrectly? Sorry it is such a sore spot with many of us who have our degree as I am sure many of you understand. That is why I approached this group of people...I thought many of you would know where I am coming from.

[smk1, LPN]

probably the first issue is whether you are required to have a certain accredited educational level and licensure for entry into practice as a vet tech. If that is true then i can't see any reason why a vet tech couldn't be called a vet nurse. This entry level requirement being standardized at "at least" a certain level would be the first step into lobbying for protection of the term Vet Tech as well.

[ayndim]

I think the legislation has to come first. Or like I said anyone off the street can use it. Even though I am only a student I feel your pain. These aren't easy classes and we are working for our titles. I would be spitting nails if they grabbed someone off the street and called them RN's or LPN's.

How about Registered (licensed or certified) Veterinary Associate. I think that there would be less opposition if the term nurse was left out. You don't want to fight to be recognized while at the same time defending the title. It would be alot easier if you didn't have to address issues a BON or other nursing entity would raise.

If I think of any good titles I will let you know.

I am starting a list of the states where nurse is a protected title. Not to argue whether it should be used but as information to anyone who might be following this and wondering. I think that is where you might wind up with problems with establishing a nationwide title. As I am sure you know in some states you would not be able to use the title vet. nurse. BTW, hubby brought me a large caramel frappacino. So I am wired. :roll Yippee. Anyway I do think that degree prepared (Associate or bachelors) vet techs should have a recongnized title. But you want one that is standard and can be used in each state, right?

http://www.serve.com/jcooper/legislative_alert041404.html This is for TN.

http://www.nursingworld.org/gova/titlepro.htm This lists multiple states.

http://www.nursingworld.org/GOVA/STATE/2004/titlenurse.pdf

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/sdaily/2003/topics/health325.htm

Some states only prohibit the term RN or LPN. But many are ambiguous (sp) And others say you cannot use the term nurse. Also, there are other legal implications of using the title Vet nurse. One is that if someone misunderstands you or flat out lies and says you said you were a nurse and you had to adminster CPR or first aid to a human then you could be legally held responsible for the same level of care a nurse would have given. If you are sued this would be bad news. unlikely a human would need it in a clinic but it sounded like you wanted all info. Are you writing a paper or just curious? Or more likely ran into an uneducated tech at work.

Anyway good luck.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Last thread about this topic with 129 posts and 3,900+ views:

Vet Nurses?

[stbernardclub]

I do not agree with the use of the term veterinary nurse at all, and simply cannot believe nurses agree with the use of this term. What this will do is cause even more confusion in this field as to who is a nurse and who is not. Most people would probably assume, like my friend did, that this is a nurse (RN) who decided to take care of animals than ppl, and went for some course on vet tech. NO WAY>>>>MY VOTE IS NAY !