Veterinary Nurse

[enc123]

Hello allnurses I have a question for you all. What do you think about the term Veterinary nurse. I came across a user on social media using that term and stating that she was a veterinary nurse and it was told to her that the title of "nurse" was a protected term and the correct term was actually veterinary technician.

The nurse told the OP that she wasn't trying to be disrespectful but wanted to clarify due to there being so many myths and a great deal of miscommunication about the nursing profession. The person gave an excerpt of the nurse practice act where it states pretty much what the nurse stated and it discussed being licensed to use the title.

So what do you all think? Do you think it is okay for Veterinary technicians to call themselves vet nurses. I think it minimizes what we do and how hard we worked in school and for this profession. I actually went and looked up the definition of nurse and the definition falls under promotion and wellness of the human kind and I am paraphrasing. I agree with the OP that vet techs care mimics that of a nurse but only to animals but I disagree with her using the title nurse and I agree with the poster that corrected her.

The original poster stated that some states are going to start changing vet tech in its postings to vet nurse and I wonder how the ANA will feel about that. Will they actually stand up for us as the AMA would? I know that the AMA is a powerful organization but at the same time considering the majority of the US has nursing listed as protected in their practice act, it may not come to fruition.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

who cares, get a life!

[sevensonnets]

I am not at all bothered by the term veterinary nurse because that's a completely different profession. MA's calling themselves nurses, now that gets all over me.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

I wrote many letters/sent emails to PA legislators opposing Vet RN name....... PA State Nurses Assoc. was successful in 1999 in getting bill permitting Veterinary Nurse shelved.

Pennsylvania State Nurses Association Continues Patient Advocacy and Opposes Veterinary Medicine Bill Amendments

The title "registered nurse" has been protected by the State since the early 1900's, Pennsylvania

RN

's do not want the title misused to represent those who care for animals. The public recognizes and respects the title "nurse." The public also understands that the title "nurse" refers to those who administer to the basic care needs of our society. "House Bill 1418 also challenges the current Nurse Practice Act," added Dr. Rohner, "Nursing is defined by the Act as the practice of diagnosing and treating human responses." PSNA's opposition to House Bill 1418 does not imply that certified veterinary technicians are not qualified individuals. However, the title "nurse" has historically referred to the care of human patients not animals and holds emotional significance and meaning for

RN

's not only in Pennsylvania, but also throughout the country.

[Emergent, RN]

Times have changed, Karen. Our attitudes have shifted in regards to our pets. About half of dog owners sleep with their fur babies. Dogs and cats have become like humans to many of us.

I like to think of vet techs as vet nurses. (Even though my dogs aren't allowed on the bed)(the cats are, as long as they mind their manners)

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Vets are not "technically" doctors. They are doctors.

Amen. As well as having doctorates, they function as doctors, unlike certain DNPs who want to be addressed as such.

[chare]

Amen. As well as having doctorates, they function as doctors, unlike certain DNPs who want to be addressed as such.

What exactly are you suggesting?

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

What exactly are you suggesting?

...that I will gladly and respectfully refer to someone with a doctorate in medieval poetry, economics, nursing, etc. as "professor" if they're teaching, but not "doctor".

[AlmostANurse321]

Apparently pets have become children, so why not make vet techs into nurses.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

This is funny to me. "Vet nurse" is fine. Who cares???

Ha Ha Ha - I try not to let people rent space in my head - there's enough going on in there without outside help.

Hppy

[madricka, BSN, RN]

I have no problem with the term "nurse" being a little fluid. They are not running around calling themselves "nurse" & trying to capitalize on someone else's profession, but clarifying it with "VET nurse" so there really is no confusion or justification for getting hyper about it. The care they provide is extraordinary, I have been fortunate to have many looking after my fur babies over the years, and I would never be so snotty as to challenge the description of their work.

As for vets, they are indeed doctors. My uncle was one (he died in a trauma a few years ago). He had his BSc in biochem. Had to write the MCAT. Did related volunteer work with a farm vet. Went to do his DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine). Graduated and worked for several years. Went back to school to do veterinary research & earned his PhD in veterinary medicine. He eventually became an internal medicine specialist in small animals, wrote veterinary textbooks/chapters, and lectured all over the world. No one would dare challenge his "doctor" status. Similarly, the group of women veterinarians I bring my fur kids to now -- they perform surgery and prescribe/administer medications, I think that qualifies them as "doctors".

Same argument though when people say that dentists aren't real doctors. Or psychiatrists. They both are. We get so upset when someone dismisses all of our education, hard work, and earned status as nurses -- doctors of veterinary medicine, dentists, psychiatrists get just as frustrated, I am sure.

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

If you want to call yourself a nurse for animals, have at it.

[imenid37]

Vet techs have a similar education to nurses, an AS or BS degree and clinical practicums which provide time learning to provide direct care for their patients. I also live in PA. I support the term vet nurse. They provide nursing care to the animal patients and educate pet owners. This is similar to what nurses do for their human patients. One of my nurse friends' sister is a vet tech who vaccinated herds of livestock. It is almost t like public health nursing for the animal kingdom. This woman was very well versed in how important what she was doing impacted the herd, other animals, and the food supply for people. Ironically, the vet tech became an RN due to the difference in salary. (She now works as a vet tech again because she could not stand the social relationships among us human nurses in the workplace!) I think in the UK, this career is referred to as a vet nurse.

I agree with the person who mentioned MA's who call themselves nurses being out of line. They have far less education and clinical experience. My other peeve is nursing assistants who tell patients they are nurses. Again, a course of just a few weeks and sometimes just on the job training. In PA, we have no certification for acute care nursing assistants, just for LTC. Many do OTJ training only. Just think, some of those PCA's in the hospital who do IV's and Foley were working at WalMart a few months ago....scary!