Profession Highlight : Vet Nurse

Working on the frontline doesn’t always mean working in the hospital. Sometimes, it can mean working in a different type of hospital with our favourite furry friends. Vet Nurses are healthcare heroes that work hard to look after the health of our pets and work ridiculously hard to take care of the mental well-being of themselves and the families whose pets are unwell.

It’s time to dive deep into the veterinary profession and what life as a vet nurse may look like.

First things first, what does being a vet nurse involve?

First off, there is a vast difference between a vet and a vet nurse. The Australian Veterinary Association provides the following definition of a vet nurse. ‘Veterinary nurses, under the direction, supervision and responsibility of veterinarians, provide nursing care to sick animals, and communicate with, and educate owners on the health care of their animals. The veterinary nurse also provides support to the veterinarian with technical work, surgical and peri-operative procedures, medical procedures, diagnostic testing and critical care.’

When it comes to vets and vet nurses, try to think about the difference between doctors and nurses in a normal hospital. A vet is an animal doctor who needs to complete a degree, a Doctor of Veterinary Science and register with their state’s Veterinarian Board.

On a day-to-day basis, vet nurses may vary the tasks they have to complete. The Australian College of Veterinary Nursing describes these tasks such as:

Restraining animals during procedures and examinations
Preparing animals for surgery
Assisting with surgery
Obtaining pathology samples and performing diagnostics tests
Monitoring patients under anaesthetic
Administering first aid to animals
Obtaining and recording vital signs

While this list is by no means comprehensive, it provides a sound snapshot of what future vet nurses can expect when looking into this career pathway.

What are some of the challenges involved in vet nursing?

At first glance, being a vet nurse may seem like the best profession (who wouldn’t want to cuddle animals all day?!) but there are certainly some challenges involved as a vet nurse. Between difficult fur-parents and long hours, let’s look at some of the challenges vet nurses face.

Difficult clients – Just like in any job, vet nurses face difficult clients. Vet nurse Alison Johnson* says, “customer service is a huge aspect of the role which can be really difficult. You get all kinds of clients and trying to manage them can be very challenging.’ Whether they are simply stressed or are just one of those clients who cause others grief, dealing with difficult clients is never a fun part of any job. Working in a high-pressure environment such as a veterinary clinic can be stressful - whether the client doesn’t agree with the medical treatment or even the bill, things can often get tense. In times of despair and desperation, some clients are fearful, angry, terrified for their pet, and in this state of high emotional distress act very irrationally, venting their fears onto – and even blaming – the professionals trying to help. Remember to take a deep breath and keep your cool – you’ve got this!

Financial troubles – Different animals need different treatments, and sometimes, treatments can be expensive, and require a large upfront payment. Unlike a restaurant where the prices are displayed on the menu, treatments can have different prices which vary based on the degree of the animal’s health. If you know a certain procedure or consultation is going to have a larger fee, it’s best to chat with the client before going ahead with it in case there needs to be another discussion around money. There is nothing worse than going ahead with treatment and charging a client, only for them to not be able to afford the bill which leaves you both in a tough situation.

Being the bearer of bad news – Probably the hardest part of being a vet is dealing with grieving families and being the one to break the bad news. Although it’s the vet’s decision on whether an animal needs to be euthanised, vet nurses may often find themselves the bearer of bad news to their families.

‘Usually, it’s the vet nurses who are tasked with telling the families the bad news’ vet nurse Sarah Thompson says, ‘it never gets any easier having those conversations.’ It can also be hard as an assistant in the euthanasia process – especially for vet nurses who have formed a bond with the animal. It can feel hard but trying not to let your emotions get the best of you is important when it comes to this part of your role. If it is something you find impacts your mental health in a big way, there are plenty of support services available to talk to. ‘We deal with this by talking to our colleagues and de-briefing about what’s happening’ says Sarah. ‘We usually take 5 minutes to reset and get back to it.’

Tips for new vet nurses

Starting a career as a vet nurse can be new and exciting. While it may seem like a fun job on a surface level, it is important to make sure you understand the ins and outs of the profession before you decide to pursue a career.

If you’re looking to become a vet nurse:

Do your research so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
Make sure you’re passionate about animals of all kinds as you will be surrounded by them every day.
When conducting your research, try to picture certain challenging scenarios in your head and how you would overcome them.
How’s your stomach? If you’re assisting the vet with surgery, you must be able to stomach seeing some gross things. Ask yourself if you’re ready to see that.
Be prepared to enter a demanding industry that is susceptible to burnout – don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Sarah’s advice for new nurses is, “stick with it because there’s a reason you wanted to be a vet nurse. It will be tough, there will be ups and downs but think about why you wanted to do it in the first place… you will look at yourself in a years’ time and think “I’ve done it”.’ Alison adds ‘research what you’re getting yourself into – it’s not a job to do for the money long-term, so it has to be something you do for the love of the role. Be prepared for anything, willing to learn, and be open-minded. It’s quite a physical job filled with not enough puppy cuddles. Ask questions constantly and don’t be afraid to get dirty and a bit smelly.’

Working as a vet nurse is a challenging yet rewarding career. While there are many difficulties involved, it also gives you the chance to work with animals and help to heal their sick family members. Oh, and you get to wear some pretty cool Biz Care scrubs too!

*Name has been changed for privacy reasons.