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.
The title of RN is protected and using it without a license to practice as a registered nurse is illegal
Weren't these protection laws created for the HUMAN public? I just don't see the point in caring if an animal caregiver calls herself a nurse or an RN. It's silly IMO (to call yourself an RN or a nurse) if you're not, but in the animal world I just don't see the harm. I fully support protecting the RN title (even just plain old "nurse") in the human world, but I can't see getting my feathers so ruffled with a vet tech. It's rather flattering if you think about it :) It makes RN's seem conceited or snobby to be so offended. It really seems to go beyond just being concerned about "title protection." Many people in this world envy you as an RN. I'm sure this particular vet tech isn't trying to pull a fast one on anyone.
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Yes, the laws were created for the protection of the public. And, the point is to use the title RN without the education and license to practice is a violation of these laws. It is not to be taken lightly.
Veterinary technology is a new field when compared to nursing. The first vet tech program was AVMA accredited in 1973. At that time technicians were called animal health technicians (AHT). In the '80' s the title changed to veterinary technician. In the mid '90's there was some talk of changing the title again to veterinary nurse. TALK ABOUT THE PROVERBIAL POOP HITTING THE FAN. The nursing association didn't want techs using the term nurse and the techs didn't want to be called nurses. This all had to do with job title. The nurses didn't want their job title further diluted. The techs felt that their jobs required more than just nursing duties. So the veterinary technician title stayed.
Sadly there are quite a few people out there calling themselves veterinary technicians that are not veterinary technicians. Unlike nurses, there is nothing that can be done about it because there are not many laws governing the use of the title. Some states, such as New York, have such laws in their practice acts concerning the use of the title. There are also these correspondence school programs that offer unaccredited coursework which is another monkey wrench into the works.
Right now the following is kind of recognized in the veterinary community.
Veterinary Assistant (VA)- on the job trained, no/little formal schooling. In some states scope of practice is limited, in other states anything goes
Veterinary Technician- can be on the job trained and/or have some formal education. Scope is the same as for assistant. (I for one really want to see this changed!)
Credentialed Veterinary Technician- graduated from an AVMA accredited program. 2-year program=technician 4-year program=technologist
Certified/Licensed/Registered Veterinary Technician (CVT), (LVT), (RVT)- graduated from an AVMA accredited program, passed the national (VTNE)/ state exam (if there is one), complies with state laws, code of ethics, etc. and completes yearly or bi-yearly CEU's to maintain credential. An RN would also have follow the above the become a C/L/RVT. Some states are still "grandfathering" which opens up another can of worms.
Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)-credentialed technician who has received additional training in a specialty. An exam must be passed in order to become a full member of the academy. Right now there are specialties in anesthesia, dentistry, and emergency and critical care.
Yes it was wrong for the "tech" working in the vet office to call herself a registered nurse which makes me wonder if she is really a credentialed tech. There are some vet corperations particularly Banfield (PetsMart) who call their techs (if they are credentialed at all) animal nurses. This is wrong!!! Vets who call their techs nurses need to be corrected. We are not nurses, we are technicians. The public needs to start demanding that their vets use credentialed techs and call them techs. The public needs to ask if the kennel kid is adminstering anesthesia or doing a dental on their pet or if a credentialed tech is doing it. I'll get off of my soapbox now.
I understand the point some have made about if she wants to do it at the animal office, why should we care. But what concerns me is if she can let it slide off her tongue so easily, then does she also do it outside of work?
One thing I think we all need to remember is that "nurse" is a noun and a verb. One can 'nurse' a loved one at home--no credential required, one can 'nurse' a beer, one can 'nurse' a baby---all mean the same--providing something that is required (or not in the case of the beer!!). Unfortunately, for us nurses, the verb became the noun and we are called what we do--much like a (not to be demeaning but it is too late for me to think of a better analogy) toaster toasts. Nurses provide nursing care. Doctors provide healthcare, paramedics provide pre-hospital care, mechanics fix cars--try to find another proffession that is called what it 'does' (well--teachers, teach. but....I bet the educators in the hospital have been called teachers--although most did not go to teacher's college---?and why did they not? (sorry new kettle of worms!)
Anyway, from this we have a problem....people that help take care of animals 'nurse' them--they are effectively 'animal nurses'.
Yes, it sucks--but we cannot change our proffessions name---we have way to much respect. Should we almost feel empowered that others want to use our 'title' to make their clients feel more comfortable? No, because we worked to damn hard to get it.
My sister is a certified Vet tech and she gets pissed with this too--she wants her profession to stand up and take credit for the work they do. As stated earlier though way to many unregulated people involved--my own vet hires and trains--claims cannot afford to pay vet tech prices.
Funny note though--my sister works in the ICU at a vet hospital in New York, and her husband (same credentials) works in radiation oncology. We talk the same talk. Although she runs her own labs, does her own x-rays, cleans all the equipment, much like nurses used to do in the hospital.
I like animals better then people------I cannot afford to work in that field though and still feed my animals!!!!!!!!!(and keep a roof over their heads)
sirI, MSN, APRN, NP
17 Articles; 45,868 Posts
I do hope the tech has her title on a name tag. And, RN should not be said title.