Licensed Nurse or Vet Nurse (tech)

[Greyson]

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.

[Greyson]

Well said. We are all proud of our expertise, we should be. but I have a feeling it was the doctor more than the vet techs who felt the title "technician" wasnt good enough.

[Fiona59]

Well said. We are all proud of our expertise, we should be. but I have a feeling it was the doctor more than the vet techs who felt the title "technician" wasnt good enough.

Are they caring for animals, medicating, them and nursing them back to health? Then in the doctor's eyes they are his nurses.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I worked as a vet tech and I was never called a nurse. I was called assistant, helper, aide. I had a lot more autonomy because it is animals, but I ran anesthesia, drew blood, gave fluids and IV meds. Much larger scope of practice. Obviously because it was horses, (sometimes cows, sheep, goats, ostriches) The funny part is that the medicine is not all that different. And in horses, the anatomy is very similar-except horses don't have gall bladders.

I think the word "nurse" is so associated with the human medicine, it's kinda weird to call a vet tech a "nurse"

[Greyson]

Medicating...I hope not (unless under DIRECT supervision of a DVM). Vaccinating, I hope not under any circumestance. Caring and nursing back to health yes. I guess what is significant is regardless of what anyone feels or thinks, a vet cannot identify his staff as nurses because its the law.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Vaccinating, I hope not under any circumestance.

Why? An MA can do it on a child or adult, but you don't think a vet tech is capable?

In many states, owners can buy vaccines directly and administer them, themselves, to their pets. But you don't think a trained vet tech should be able to?

[Greyson]

And i bet you were good at your job, intelligent, and compassionate. You are probably responsible for saving countless lives for many pets. Just based upone my observation, i truly believe it was the doctor who felt the word Tech was somehow deficient, or even made them feel deficient of the title.

[klone, MSN, RN]

And i bet you were good at your job, intelligent, and compassionate. You are probably responsible for saving countless lives for many pets. Just based upone my observation, i truly believe it was the doctor who felt the word Tech was somehow deficient, or even made them feel deficient of the title.

Is this directed at me? Nevermind, I see you are talking to MMC

[Greyson]

let me clairfy, they are capable but legally not allowed to vaccinate in my state

[Greyson]

Sorry, no. I dont know what going on with my browser:)

[Farawyn]

Greyson, sounds like a bigger story feeding you than the use of the title "nurse".

If something bad happened to your pet, I'm so very sorry. Posting pics of your pet's surgery online was totally unprofessional.

[SteelGrey]

On any given day, 95 % of the population wouldn't know the difference between a PCT/CNA/LPN/RN. You have to pick your battles.

People see technicians nursing animals back to health using similar methods as one would find in a human healthcare setting and its basically like a descriptive term. Don't think anyones set out to impersonate a Registered Nurse in a criminal and premeditated way.

[Greyson]

i am sorry, but i would have to severely disagree. CNA and an RN? Absolutely would you know the difference.