So I took my dog to the vet yesterday morning to be spayed, we (my dog and I) are called into the assessment room by this woman who introduces herself as the "RN" who will be taking care of my dog.
Ofcourse I am skeptical, I question her "You are a Registered Nurse?"
She replies, that yes she is a RN, the training is EXACTLY the same, except that it is for animals, and that she had to pass a board exam. She actually goes on about it for a couple of minutes.
At this point I am so stunned, that I decide not to say anything, as I am already in a highly irritated mood because I am sleep deprived, starving because I am fasting for blood work, and actively fighting with my insurance coverage to get any prescription filled anywhere, and I am afraid of over reacting. I make sure that I sound highly skeptical when I say "Oooookayyy"
I am usually not very political or sensitive to nursing slights. I am comfortable with who I am and happy with what I do. I laugh at slights to nurses on tv more often that not, but this just kept itching at me.
When I left they gave me a addressed envelope and a survey to fill out. I am considering using the envelope to write a letter to the vet to inform her that she has at least one tech that is calling herself a RN and that by allowing this to go on in her practice that she is opening herself up to potential liability.
I just wanted to clarify something. Calling someone who hasn't gone to AT LEAST 2 years of school and passed their VTNE a vet tech is just as mis-representational as that vet tech calling herself a RN, I would be willing to bet she is truly neither as holding the title LVT (or RVT depending on the state) is something that is highly respectable in the veterinary world. A veterinary assistant may have no specialized schooling but a vet tech is an LVT or RVT, a LICENSED or REGISTERED veterinary technician. A vet tech has gone at least as much school as any ADN and I don't know a single LVT that would call themselves anything otherwise. Just like RNs, LVTs are proud of their title, and who ever said they were making minimum wage or that they only go to 9 months of school was not very well informed. LVTs are in high demand and they are highly trained and skilled with many having an extra 2 years of training as a Specialist in anesthesia or emergency and critical care.
vet tech or animal nurse... same thing... get over it........... someone in here made a comment about vet techs making minimum wage, darn egotistical nurse.. im an rn and thank GOD i don't act like my degree is so up there cuz i know its not... i'm just a nurse and nothing more...
Darn egotistical or uneducated/uniformed in regards to vet tech? Big difference. I would like to thank those posters (Fuzzy CVT, GLN35, and others) who shared their expertise on this subject. I have found it very educational, there was alot I did not know in regards to CVTs, LVTs, RVTs, AVMA, etc. Your input is valuable and much appreciated.
The issue in the OP wasn't about a vet tech referring to herself as an animal nurse but referring to herself as an RN. I personally would not have a problem with a vet tech describing their job as being a nurse to animals. I would have a problem with a vet tech referring to themselves as an RN.
The ICN's Position: (International Council of Nurses)
The title of "Nurse" should be protected by law and applied to and used only by those legally authorized to practice the full scope of nursing.
I do strongly believe that the title "nurse" should be protected. It has nothing to do with ego and more to do with misleading the public in regards to who is taking care of them. Misrepresentation of oneself may be the first step a person takes before they start performing procedures and functions that they lack qualifications for.
I will never understand title protection enforcement for the sake of fairness.
Fairness to whom? In all fairness to the public we should be protecting our titles, so that "nurse" (and I mean those that have not been formally educated as nurses, nor have the license to practice as RNs or LPNs) does not cause harm to them. The problem with others believing they are entitled to use the term "nurse" or identify themselves as being "just like a nurse" is misleading to start with, the real danger is when these "nurses" step outside their realm of practice/expertise and perform skills they lack qualifications for because of their own arrogant, egotistical thinking. What's wrong with being honest an upfront about what you are and what you do and being proud of that?
vet tech or animal nurse... same thing... get over it........... someone in here made a comment about vet techs making minimum wage, darn egotistical nurse.. im an rn and thank GOD i don't act like my degree is so up there cuz i know its not... i'm just a nurse and nothing more...
"Just a nurse" that's a sad statement to be sure. IMO
I can see how this is upsetting in a HUMAN environment (hospital, clinic, etc.), but at a Vet's office? I think the real problem would be if she claimed to be an RN and actually treated HUMANS, which, of course, she isn't doing. I really can't fathom getting so bent out of shape over things like this.
Vet techs where I live is anyone hired off the street who loves working with animals for min. wage.
this is the kind of nurse that irritates me so much...there's no need to belittle someone's profession just because you are making more than minimum wage. .. hop back to your island and we'll see if you can top the minimum wage........
The answer to this is that physicians are not the only professionals with doctorates. At some point, people came to think of "doctor" as being synonymous with physician, and anyone else who dares use the title "Dr." is accused of "not being a real doctor." I've heard this too many times; it's a real pet peeve of mine. Why are physicians the only people with doctorates who deserve recognition for their accomplishments?
BTW, from what I've heard, most NPs/CRNAs, etc. with doctorates explain to their patients that they are NPs or CRNAs, not physicians.
My mom is a Chiropractor (and has a doctorate). Some of her patients refer to her as Dr. so-and-so, but they know that she is not a medical doctor. She would never refer to herself as a MD because she is not. Some people just don't know the difference though.
I can see how this is upsetting in a HUMAN environment (hospital, clinic, etc.), but at a Vet's office? I think the real problem would be if she claimed to be an RN and actually treated HUMANS, which, of course, she isn't doing. I really can't fathom getting so bent out of shape over things like this.
You have a baby and the baby is sick. You take the baby to the pediatrican. A woman in scrubs comes into the room. "Hello, I'm Susie, I'm a Licensed Vet Tech, I'll be taking care of your baby today", and proceeds to check your babies vital signs and draw some blood for a CBC. What are you gonna do? Hum?
My dogs are my babies. I don't see any difference is this senario than a vet tech identifying herself as an RN. I want my dogs taken care of by a vet tech not an RN!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
This is interesting to me as well, an 'RN' title for vet nurses?? I think it is worth discovering more information about that, because she may have the right to call herself that. I never looked into vetrinary courses, so, I never knew their actual title.
Skippitb
12 Posts
I just wanted to clarify something. Calling someone who hasn't gone to AT LEAST 2 years of school and passed their VTNE a vet tech is just as mis-representational as that vet tech calling herself a RN, I would be willing to bet she is truly neither as holding the title LVT (or RVT depending on the state) is something that is highly respectable in the veterinary world. A veterinary assistant may have no specialized schooling but a vet tech is an LVT or RVT, a LICENSED or REGISTERED veterinary technician. A vet tech has gone at least as much school as any ADN and I don't know a single LVT that would call themselves anything otherwise. Just like RNs, LVTs are proud of their title, and who ever said they were making minimum wage or that they only go to 9 months of school was not very well informed. LVTs are in high demand and they are highly trained and skilled with many having an extra 2 years of training as a Specialist in anesthesia or emergency and critical care.