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 do not know why everyone is so upset about other professions that use the name Nurses. Do you know the vet Dr.s are real human drs first and then go on to learn about animals? I do not see the physicians in the uproar of it. Nevertheless, going to write a letter to the Vet's office and communication the improperness of a vet tech calling themselves nurses. Get over there because paramedics believe they are better than nurses. It is a lable that describe what they do with the animals. I foud out in ohio there is a vet nursing school for equinas. Wow, I am excitted to know that this is a true concept. Oh here is something I found on the internet:
Job Article: Veterinary Nurse
Job Family: Environment, Animals and Plants
Further Details
Veterinary nurses work with veterinary surgeons to provide medical and surgical nursing care for animals. They usually work with domestic pets such as dogs, cats and rabbits. In some jobs, they care for the health of farm and zoo animals or horses.
Their job is extremely varied, but their main work involves nursing duties such as:
holding animals and keeping them calm while the vet examines and treats them
giving injections and drugs (under supervision)
collecting blood, urine and other samples
maintaining levels of anaesthetic and handing instruments to the vet during operations.
Veterinary nurses work between 35 to 40 hours a week. This includes weekend and on-call duties. They usually work indoors, in all parts of the practice, including reception, consulting rooms, the operating theatre, radiography department and hospital kennels.
Veterinary nurses start on around £10,000, while senior veterinary nurses can earn from £18,000 upwards.
A veterinary nurse should:
have a strong but unsentimental interest in animals
be physically fit and free from allergies to animals
be interested in sciences, particularly biology.
There are around 5,300 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) qualified veterinary nurses in the UK. Most work with vets in general practice. Veterinary nurses also work in veterinary hospitals and university veterinary schools. A smaller number work in equine (horse) care clinics, research centres and zoos.
Veterinary nurses usually train through the RCVS Veterinary Nurse Training Scheme. To enrol on the scheme they need at least five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), one in English language, and two in science subjects, one of which can be maths, or equivalent qualifications. Applicants must also either have full-time paid employment at an RCVS-approved Training Practice or be enrolled on a higher education-based veterinary nursing course.
There are no fixed upper age limits. Many people start in this work after gaining other kinds of experience of working with animals. They are generally required to meet the same entry qualifications as above.
In general practice, veterinary nurses can become head nurses or practice managers.
Guess what they are nurses with our precious animals and I am glad they are not techs. I know my two little children (kittens) are safe in the hands of them and they know how to help them.
It is a label, they do not take care of humans at all. Please we should pick and chose the coorect battle to fight in. Too bad you do not write to your peers and tell them to chose a nursing association to be involve in. So, we can fight for our rights in health care and received recognition and the correct salary. Instead of being cheesy ove a vet tech. Therefore, place your angry on the subject of joining nursing associations and begin the march on washington, DC.
Is there a specific designation for a veternary nurse? Is there, say, a standard designation of Registered Nurse of Veternary Medicine? Just wondering. If there is such a title one can use as a trained vet nurse/tech, I can see why the tech/animal nurse would use the title RN as a shortened version of the title. I'm willing to bet that not many people outside of 'human' nursing know that the title is a legal one designated only for human registered nurses (at least in the U.S.) I don't think it's fair to automatically assume that the person is consciously being disrespectful or intentionally misrepresenting herself. It could be pure ignorance on her part, and maybe if it were tactfully explained to her, she'd quit using the title. JMHO.
The OP is not saying she's just calling herself a nurse. She's calling herself an RN which is illegal in this country unless you have passed the NCLEX-RN exam. Period.
I have referred to the vet techs at my vet's office as animal nurses. They are. But they do not have the title of RN.
Oh, and not all vet techs have a college education. Some are trained on the job. They may have less responsibilities in the vet's office, but I don't think so since I know one who administers anesthesia to animals and did not go to school for this.
And before anyone says it, yes, animals lives are important. My furry family is very important to me. But I think almost everyone here would agree that the responsibilities of a vet tech or an LPN/RN are vast. If you doubt it, take a look at your child/spouse/mother/father, then look at your pet. If push came to shove, whose life is more valuable to you?
A little OT, but vets are not human doctors first as posted above... they go to veterinary school for four years post-bachelor's degree... and receive a D.V.M. They are never human doctors, at least in this country and I am thinking other places too? Just wanted to clarify, as I have a relative in vet school and have a (very) little knowledge on the subject.
My vet has started calling all the LVT's nurses. Not registered, just nurses. I don't have a problem with that. When I was a receptionist at an animal emergency clinic, it was part of my job to give basic first aid telephone advise and fill prescriptions. (Lots of training involved) I wasn't even a tech but the clients still called me nurse. I corrected them but it makes sense people frame it this way. A vet is a doctor so the tech must be the nurse. Its no big deal IMHO.
Up here a trained, certified vet. tech is a full time college diploma, that takes at least two years. So they are "registered" nurses for animals.
Get over yourself, she didn't claim to be a RN for humans and apply at the local human hospital, just like I wouldn't apply to work for my vet. I am just too amazed at the animal body and where they could find all the parts. I mean when my girl had surgery the other month, I watched over her like a mum and had to get out my animal health book just to check her pulse and figure out where the pulses where. Can you imagine being able to do that on dogs, cats, birds, reptiles. Hell, I even took a hamster to the vets once and the tech there knew what to do to him. I mean the little guy was in hypoglycemic shock and she knew how to treat him, how much glucose to give, etc., the tech practically ran a code on a hamster!
I value animal nurses and yup in some countries they are referred to as nurses! I couldn't do her/his job.
She introduced herself as RN. That is illegal. Period.
"Oh, and not all vet techs have a college education. Some are trained on the job. They may have less responsibilities in the vet's office, but I don't think so since I know one who administers anesthesia to animals and did not go to school for this."
All people who call themselves "veterinary technicians", "animal health technicians" and the like have gone to school. They are certified by a governing body and have to do updating hours to keep their certification.
Everyone else is a "veterinary assistant", and should not call themselves a technician. This is slowly changing as veterinary medicine becomes more established as a profession, but cases like cyberkat mentioned do still happen out there.
The Veterinary registered nurse has to go to college and take a test to become certified. Do a google search let me do the honors of the colleges in the united states that offer it.
Wow University of Penn in Philadelphia offers a degree in Veterinary Nursing. Hmm I would love to see you take the University of Penn...my money is on Penn.
current Issue of Bellwether
The George D. Widener Hospital
New Bolton Center Veterinary Nursing
Promotional Scale
The Widener Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has a promotion scale in place for veterinary nurses. The scale is based on skills and varies depending on department. Placement of external applicants within the scale depends on past experience and skills. The hiring officer will evaluate past experience that is not comparable to a university setting and the individual will be placed in the appropriate level. Employees who reclassify will be eligible for a salary increase.
Vet Tech A – Entry level, no prior experience in veterinary medicine, certified or graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program and eligible for certification
Vet Tech B- 1 yr experience, certified
Vet Tech C- 3 yrs experience, certified
Vet Tech D- 5 yrs experience, certified, successful completion of exam for entrance to a NAVTA approved academy (if applicable in department).
Vet Tech E - 7 yrs experience, certified
In addition to regular full time salaries, nurses who work evening shift receive a 20% shift differential, and nurses who work midnight shift earn 30% shift differential.
this is the veterinary national exmanation booklet. The nurse is working with a vet docor of animals.
please let it go cause the label of nurseis is an umbrella term. Othe counrties have been using for years. In addition, i donotwant you to think only nurses can use the title cause itis not True.
The Veterinary registered nurse has to go to college and take a test to become certified. Do a google search let me do the honors of the colleges in the united states that offer it.
Wow University of Penn in Philadelphia offers a degree in Veterinary Nursing. Hmm I would love to see you take the University of Penn...my money is on Penn.
current Issue of Bellwether
The George D. Widener Hospital
New Bolton Center Veterinary Nursing
Promotional Scale
The Widener Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has a promotion scale in place for veterinary nurses. The scale is based on skills and varies depending on department. Placement of external applicants within the scale depends on past experience and skills. The hiring officer will evaluate past experience that is not comparable to a university setting and the individual will be placed in the appropriate level. Employees who reclassify will be eligible for a salary increase.
Vet Tech A - Entry level, no prior experience in veterinary medicine, certified or graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program and eligible for certification
Vet Tech B- 1 yr experience, certified
Vet Tech C- 3 yrs experience, certified
Vet Tech D- 5 yrs experience, certified, successful completion of exam for entrance to a NAVTA approved academy (if applicable in department).
Vet Tech E - 7 yrs experience, certified
In addition to regular full time salaries, nurses who work evening shift receive a 20% shift differential, and nurses who work midnight shift earn 30% shift differential.
this is the veterinary national exmanation booklet. The nurse is working with a vet docor of animals.
please let it go cause the label of nurseis is an umbrella term. Othe counrties have been using for years. In addition, i donotwant you to think only nurses can use the title cause itis not True.
The Veterinary registered nurse has to go to college and take a test to become certified. Do a google search let me do the honors of the colleges in the united states that offer it.
Wow University of Penn in Philadelphia offers a degree in Veterinary Nursing. Hmm I would love to see you take the University of Penn...my money is on Penn.
current Issue of Bellwether
The George D. Widener Hospital
New Bolton Center Veterinary Nursing
Promotional Scale
The Widener Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has a promotion scale in place for veterinary nurses. The scale is based on skills and varies depending on department. Placement of external applicants within the scale depends on past experience and skills. The hiring officer will evaluate past experience that is not comparable to a university setting and the individual will be placed in the appropriate level. Employees who reclassify will be eligible for a salary increase.
Vet Tech A - Entry level, no prior experience in veterinary medicine, certified or graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program and eligible for certification
Vet Tech B- 1 yr experience, certified
Vet Tech C- 3 yrs experience, certified
Vet Tech D- 5 yrs experience, certified, successful completion of exam for entrance to a NAVTA approved academy (if applicable in department).
Vet Tech E - 7 yrs experience, certified
In addition to regular full time salaries, nurses who work evening shift receive a 20% shift differential, and nurses who work midnight shift earn 30% shift differential.
this is the veterinary national exmanation booklet. The nurse is working with a vet docor of animals.
please let it go cause the label of nurseis is an umbrella term. Othe counrties have been using for years. In addition, i donotwant you to think only nurses can use the title cause itis not True.
It is not the label of "nurse" that has everyone, including me, upset. It is the fact that the vet tech introduced herself as an "RN", a legallly protected title. The only way she can legally do that is by taking, and passing, the NCLEX-RN. I constantly correct people who think I am an RN instead of the correct title of LPN. I am finishing up my last year of school right now and will take my NCLEX-RN in June. Only after I pass will I call myself an RN.
It seems that the crux of this thread is the term nurse versus RN. In the US, RN is a legal title. It is simple misrepresentation to say you are an RN, when you haven't passed the NCLEX-RN. However, the term "nurse" is generic and could be used for vet techs or nurses.
Keeping to the subject will help guide this thread in the right direction. Thanks everyone.
button2cute
233 Posts
Hello, All
I do not know why everyone is so upset about other professions that use the name Nurses. Do you know the vet Dr.s are real human drs first and then go on to learn about animals? I do not see the physicians in the uproar of it. Nevertheless, going to write a letter to the Vet's office and communication the improperness of a vet tech calling themselves nurses. Get over there because paramedics believe they are better than nurses. It is a lable that describe what they do with the animals. I foud out in ohio there is a vet nursing school for equinas. Wow, I am excitted to know that this is a true concept. Oh here is something I found on the internet:
Job Article: Veterinary Nurse
Job Family: Environment, Animals and Plants
Further Details
Veterinary nurses work with veterinary surgeons to provide medical and surgical nursing care for animals. They usually work with domestic pets such as dogs, cats and rabbits. In some jobs, they care for the health of farm and zoo animals or horses.
Their job is extremely varied, but their main work involves nursing duties such as:
holding animals and keeping them calm while the vet examines and treats them
giving injections and drugs (under supervision)
collecting blood, urine and other samples
maintaining levels of anaesthetic and handing instruments to the vet during operations.
Veterinary nurses work between 35 to 40 hours a week. This includes weekend and on-call duties. They usually work indoors, in all parts of the practice, including reception, consulting rooms, the operating theatre, radiography department and hospital kennels.
Veterinary nurses start on around £10,000, while senior veterinary nurses can earn from £18,000 upwards.
A veterinary nurse should:
have a strong but unsentimental interest in animals
be physically fit and free from allergies to animals
be interested in sciences, particularly biology.
There are around 5,300 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) qualified veterinary nurses in the UK. Most work with vets in general practice. Veterinary nurses also work in veterinary hospitals and university veterinary schools. A smaller number work in equine (horse) care clinics, research centres and zoos.
Veterinary nurses usually train through the RCVS Veterinary Nurse Training Scheme. To enrol on the scheme they need at least five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), one in English language, and two in science subjects, one of which can be maths, or equivalent qualifications. Applicants must also either have full-time paid employment at an RCVS-approved Training Practice or be enrolled on a higher education-based veterinary nursing course.
There are no fixed upper age limits. Many people start in this work after gaining other kinds of experience of working with animals. They are generally required to meet the same entry qualifications as above.
In general practice, veterinary nurses can become head nurses or practice managers.
http://www.connexions-direct.com (I am not going to write the rest too long, you will be able to find like I did)
Guess what they are nurses with our precious animals and I am glad they are not techs. I know my two little children (kittens) are safe in the hands of them and they know how to help them.
It is a label, they do not take care of humans at all. Please we should pick and chose the coorect battle to fight in. Too bad you do not write to your peers and tell them to chose a nursing association to be involve in. So, we can fight for our rights in health care and received recognition and the correct salary. Instead of being cheesy ove a vet tech. Therefore, place your angry on the subject of joining nursing associations and begin the march on washington, DC.
My two cents.
Have a great evening.