Licensed Nurse or Vet Nurse (tech)

Nurses Relations

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Interesting Story to share. I had a problem with a veterinarian who would referred to his staff as nurses. This struck me as odd, especially with the level of care they were being allowed to perform...at their homes. I spoke with the local Veterinary Association and was told that RN cannot be used by anyone unless the are licensed to their states codes. Vet tech shouldn't be referred as nurse, but the Nursing Board really doesn't do anything about it. Well, i checked with the Nursing Board. Their response was ABSOLUTELY not. It is against the law, it is not tolerated and it needs to be reported if ever encountered. Needless to say, the vet received a Cease and Desist letter shortly from the Nursing Board.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
was told that RN cannot be used by anyone unless the are licensed to their states codes. Vet tech shouldn't be referred as nurse, but the Nursing Board really doesn't do anything about it.

You were told that they could not use *RN* or *nurse*?

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In other countries, it's normal to call vet techs nurses.

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Veterinary Nursing Education

and

Veterinary Nurse Courses (Apprenticeship, Work Based Learning, Degree, Diploma, CPD & Short Courses) | CAW and there is even a post diploma course:

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/education/

All of which seem to be pretty in depth and certainly do entail nursing of a complex patient base

OP, do you still use this doctor and his practice or has he struck you and your pet off his register?

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Yes Ma'am you are correct, it was nurse. this is the exact wording told to me "This rule further states that “no other person may use, titles or abbreviations with the word “nurse” such as office nurse, staff nurse, head nurse, charge nurse, school nurse, supervisor of nursing or nurses, or any other title tending to imply to the public that the person holds a license to practice nursing"

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But here, its against the law apparently

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Okay, so are you going to do something about it?

FWIW, I object to using "nurse" to describe CNAs or MAs. When it comes to vet medicine, I really don't care as much, personally.

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yes I am. its a very sad story, but not appropriate to go into detail in this forum. But this place definitely has poor leadership. i had found pictures on a tech's personal facebook page of my pets actual surgery, x-ray images, and post op handling.

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I truly believe like any place regardless of location or species, your staff (especially the young ones) reflect the leadership they have to follow as an example.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I agree; they haven't passed the NCLEX (NCLEX-VN?? Doesn't exist), don't answer to a BON. As far as I know, they are technicians and don't use anything like a nursing process. In my state too, it is illegal to use the title "nurse"--yes, the word "nurse"--unless they're an RN, LPN, or APRN.

I think a big part of the issue comes from the perception that nurses assist the doctors. A vet tech assists the DVM. Therefore, some think it's reasonable to call them a veterinary nurse. I don't agree with it though, any more than a human PCT should be able to call themselves a nurse.

klone--the OP did, s/he contacted the BON which sent a cease and desist letter.

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Its a very touchy topic. I agree they are highly skilled group of people but a common response from that group is that they do more than a nurse and skilled in more areas than the avgerage RN. It alway seemed pretentious

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Its a very touchy topic. I agree they are highly skilled group of people but a common response from that group is that they do more than a nurse and skilled in more areas than the avgerage RN. It alway seemed pretentious

Much like some CNAs, MAs and "office nurses" who are also not nurses, people who have no actual nursing education (and therefore no license to practice nursing) are always pretty fast to tell you how much LIKE a nurse they are....or, even "better than a nurse".

Ummm......sure.:sarcastic:

I'd have no interest in getting into a pivving contest with someone who refers to herself as a Vet Nurse, as let's face it: they aren't going to be confused with ME at any point when they're in the hospital visiting someone, right?

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