The Vital Role of the Veterinary Nurse

In the busy bustle of a modern veterinary practice there is an increasingly important role for the veterinary nurse. Teamwork is the key, and You & Your Vet asked Marian Everly to investigate. She invited Vet Nurse of the Year finalist Nicky Burridge to tell her more.

Veterinary nurse Nicky Burridge works for the Cromwell Veterinary Group in Cambridgeshire. Ten years ago, she switched from her position as head nurse of the group’s main Huntingdon practice to take charge of veterinary nursing duties at the smaller St Neots surgery. This branch closes at night, so Nicky works 9 to 5 weekdays. She remarks: ‘Having been employed for about nine years at Huntingdon, including ‘on-call’ and evening duties, I was offered the chance of doing daytime hours Monday to Friday. I think the vets had decided I deserved a bit of a break.’

At what age did you think about becoming a veterinary nurse?
I was around 15 years old, but I had always been interested in many kinds of creature. My earliest memories are of cats and dogs in the family. I did actually consider going into human nursing before realising that I preferred to work with animals.

Did you ever contemplate becoming a vet instead?
No. As a teenager it seemed to me like too many years of hard work in order to get into the profession.

Has your role as a veterinary nurse turned out exactly as you expected?
The job description with which I started, some 19 years ago, was very different to the work I do now. In the past, I was very much behind the scenes. Now I have a lot of involvement with the clients and their animals. That’s what I like. The more years I am a veterinary nurse, the better I enjoy it, because I am given greater responsibilities.

Do you have rules about the clothing you wear at the practice?
There is almost a ‘code of dress’. At the main surgery many in the team have uniforms, but because I am the sole nurse at this satellite branch, I just make sure I am smart, and I find it easier to work in trousers, as do most people in this type of job.

What opportunities are there for you to study veterinary developments in emerging techniques, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging?
The practice does encourage further education. We are lucky to be quite near to courses held at Cambridge Veterinary School and the Animal Health Trust.

Tell me about being a finalist for Vet Nurse of the Year 2003.
The first I knew of it was a phone call from the organisers, Petplan. I had been nominated by staff at the Huntingdon surgery. It was a lovely surprise to be told I had reached the final four. Unfortunately I was abroad at the time of the presentation ceremony, so a partner from our practice collected the award on my behalf.

Can you describe ways in which you are especially useful to the practice?
Getting everything organised and saving the vet’s time. That’s one of my main roles. It’s vital to be totally prepared, for instance, when surgical operations take place. I make sure that drugs are ordered, delivered and stored safely, so that vets aren’t searching around for them. We all work together as a team. Nurses, vets and receptionists are not isolated in their tasks, but support each other.

Teamwork is especially useful at busy times, when I am ready to do  anything required, from answering the phone to mopping the floor. I also interview visitors such as drug reps, which saves the vet’s time, and I can pass on the information when it’s more convenient for the vet.

What is your most demanding task?
It has to be euthanasia. I do find it difficult – being aware that the client is so upset and realising how much I will miss the owner and the animal coming into the surgery. Nevertheless, when a pet must be put to sleep, I accompany the vet on the house call. It’s helpful to everyone for a veterinary nurse to attend on such a visit. I often know the families well, and they are encouraged by seeing my familiar face. At this stressful time it’s comforting for the animal to be in its home surroundings, and better for the owners too.

Are some events very traumatic?
The worst case I have had to deal with was after a dog had been run over by a car. It seemed a sudden and unnecessary death. I endeavoured to help the owners to come to terms with feeling responsible for not having put a lead on their dog. The clients blamed themselves. When an animal is old or ill, the owners are usually semiprepared for the final outcome, but an unexpected death is quite a different experience.

Do you take special care when children are trying to cope with the loss of a pet?
Yes, even when dealing with a tiny creature such as a budgie or a gerbil, the youngsters might not really understand about death. It may be their first experience of losing a loved one. Parting with an animal is something we take seriously, whatever type of pet is involved.

Which are the more enjoyable parts of your work?
On a brighter note, there are many happy and challenging aspects. I particularly like dealing with behavioural problems in animals. I strongly feel that pets should provide pleasure. A dog or cat behaving inappropriately can make a relationship very difficult. About two years ago, I studied to gain a diploma in animal behaviour. This involved attending three separate weekend courses in Warwickshire plus doing a lot of reading and research as homework. I learnt plenty of useful theory, and the qualification has given me much more confidence when explaining various training methods to pet owners.

Tell me about your own pets.
I have two rabbits – Jenny and Forrest (named after the movie Forrest Gump). I love them both, but one of the reasons I acquired this pair was to learn more about the care they require, so I can pass on this first-hand knowledge to clients. Very many rabbits get a pretty poor deal. They can be delightful pets and need not become a neglected bunny in a hutch.

By looking after my pets I can better empathise with owners and give them the right information and guidance. For instance, the problem of mange in guinea pigs is a fairly common condition seen at this surgery. I have four pet guinea pigs and they help me understand the importance of correct feeding and good management.

Do you treat larger creatures at the Cromwell Group?
No. It is a small animal practice. In the mornings I help with veterinary procedures at the branch, such as neutering dogs and dental work. More complicated operations are performed at the main Huntingdon surgery.

In the afternoons, clients and their pets visit me by appointment for such treatments as nail clipping, emptying anal glands, giving worming tablets and clipping matted fur from older cats. I am sometimes approached when an owner is unsure whether a vet needs to be consulted. This might save the vet’s time, and can save money for a client if a further appointment is unnecessary.

Can you recall some unusual tasks you have been asked to deal with?
A dog arrived with a bone stuck between his teeth after he had stolen a meat chop out of a dustbin. Luckily I managed to flick out the bone with some forceps!

Another time, a cat had found an opened can of pet food, and her head had become stuck inside. She was carried into the surgery, miaowing loudly, which echoed through the can on her face, creating the most amazing sounds. Fortunately we eased the cat free without any cuts to her skin, and then handed her back to her very grateful owners.

Clients sometimes bring in their rabbits and guinea pigs to find out the sex of their pets. The owners may then discover they have chosen very inappropriate names for their furry friends. Ever heard of a female guinea pig called Batman, or a male rabbit known to his pals as Kylie?

What other pets do you own?
I have a nine-year-old Australian Shepherd Dog called Ivy. She has arthritic problems, which have been eased by a course of hydrotherapy sessions in a purpose-built pool at Buckden, not many miles from here. The water is heated and there are drying facilities, so there’s no need for a dog to be cold or wet on the journey home. Hydrotherapy can be used to help a variety of problems: hip dysplasia, obesity, mobility following orthopaedic operations, and also just for fun! Ivy’s mobility has improved a lot since these swimming sessions, and her medication has been reduced to less than half.

I also have a younger dog of the same breed, named Henna because of her red coat colour. She has been trained ready for obedience competitions. The hours I work are not compatible with having dogs at home alone, so I am lucky I still live with my parents who are retired, and they look after my pets extremely well while I am away.

Have you now mentioned all your pets?
No. Last but not least are my cats. I started with two semi-feral tabbies, Potion and Remedy, but a friend fell so in love with Remedy that the cat was rehomed to her. I also have a black and white cat, Bonaparte, nicknamed Bones for short because he likes to romp with my Aussies and he pretends to be a sheepdog! My other cat is a Persian type. I named him ‘Everywhere’ because he seems to appear everywhere – and his hair gets everywhere, too. He was brought to the surgery as a neglected kitten. The longhair breeds are beautiful, but they do need regular thorough grooming so shouldn’t be taken on by anyone unwilling to put in the hours of combing and brushing.

Do you go out into the community, for instance, to give veterinary talks at schools?
I don’t personally, but veterinary nurses from the main surgery do. However, I run puppy parties at the St Neots branch on Thursday evenings, comprising several weeks of training and socialisation classes. It is important for puppies to mix with others early, so we take enrolments at the time of the primary vaccination, around eight to nine weeks old. This means the youngsters come to classes at about 10 weeks of age. Owners are educated to housetrain the puppy and prevent biting. There is not enough floor space to do lead training but I explain the theory of it. Early lessons can prevent problems later. This augurs well for when the dogs visit the practice as adults, because they will be eager to come in and meet the staff.

Can you mention any aspect you would like to see improved for veterinary nurses?
Not for myself, but I have a suggestion on behalf of the younger nurses. Different arrangements for their working hours would be good. When starting their careers, nurses are on duty for incredibly long hours. Evening and night shifts do need to be undertaken, of course, but more set breaks and time off in lieu of extra duties would be very welcome.

How do you see the future for veterinary nursing?
The types of pet we treat at the surgery will change to some extent. For instance, we see fewer tortoises now than we used to, but there are a greater number of owners with ferrets.

I foresee further advances in training, technology and teamwork. There will be new opportunities for veterinary nurses to deal directly with clients, and to take on extra duties. Our vital role will be better understood, leading to increased awareness of what an added bonus it is to benefit from the help of a fully qualified veterinary nurse.

Other opportunities
There are many more areas in which veterinary nurses may choose to specialise. A particular interest in horses might lead to a career in equine veterinary nursing. Others may be keen to teach at college, or extend their knowledge and experience by working overseas.

The welfare of wildlife is also appealing. Claire Knights spent several years as a veterinary nurse at the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital in Kings Lynn until she left to raise a family. When her children are a little older, Claire is eager to return to a local veterinary practice on a part-time basis.

However, in the meantime, Claire certainly is not short of patients needing her help. At her home she looks after injured wild animals and orphaned birds. Claire says, ‘The aim is to rehabilitate these creatures and return them to their natural habitat. In most cases I am successful. I have helped blackbirds, jackdaws, thrushes, sparrows, bluetits and cygnets. Young animals I have reared include hedgehogs, rabbits, leverets and muntjac fawns.’

Looking after wildlife is time consuming and is generally best undertaken by specialists. Claire adds, ‘It’s great that my nursing experience allows me to help wildlife. My children have learnt a lot about the right way to treat animals, and, who knows, maybe in future years they too will enjoy a career in veterinary nursing.’

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