SPRING 2015 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
8
VETER INARY NURSE
All procedures carried out by an EVN are
under the direction of a veterinary surgeon
in line with legislation, however, qualified
EVN's are now eligible to apply to be
on the RCVS Register to become a
Registered Equine Veterinary Nurse (REVN).
By registering, an REVN is demonstrating
to employers and the general public that
they are keeping their skills up-to-date
accounting for their professional conduct.
An REVN is required to complete an
average of 45 hours of continuing
professional development (CPD) over a
three-year period and also follow the Guide
to Professional Conduct for Veterinary
Nurses. If things go wrong, an REVN would
undergo a disciplinary process, similar to
that for veterinary surgeons. REVN's work
under the direction, but not direct
supervision, of a veterinary surgeon. This
means that as long as the treatment in
question has been agreed by a veterinary
surgeon, the REVN can proceed
unsupervised in relation to tasks which they
are qualified to carry out. In this respect
REVN's are used extensively to free up
veterinary surgeons in equine hospitals.
REVN's can carry out procedures such as
x-rays, intravenous catheterisation and
bandage changes whilst the veterinary
surgeon is free to go and perform other
procedures. This makes the hospital/
practice more efficient.
There is a large organising role to
consider too, an REVN is often
responsible for running the operating
theatre and sometimes the pharmacy.
The most important role the REVN has
is monitoring and assessing the inpatients.
The main goal is to ensure that patients
recover as soon as possible. Veterinary
nurses as a whole take a holistic view of
patients which means the functioning of
all body systems is taken into account as
well as those that are compromised. The
patient's mental well-being will also be
considered, as a happy patient will
recover faster than a stressed patient. It is
essential for an REVN to have a working
knowledge of equine behaviour as this can
be adapted to enhance care given. The
REVN will provide plenty of necessary TLC
for patients, using techniques such as
grooming to mimic their natural behaviour
encouraging them to relax and feel at ease.
An REVN will monitor patients by regularly
recording clinical parameters e.g. heart
rate, temperature and respiratory rate.
As well as recording parameters an REVN
can identify abnormalities and instigate
action to amend inconsistencies and
improve patient welfare. This is where good
communication skills are required, as an
REVN must update the case veterinary
surgeon regularly regarding the progress
of their patients. As an REVN is mainly
based at the practice they are always in
close proximity to patients which makes
monitoring more efficient. Producing patient
care plans helps to guide holistic nursing
of patients and encourages the use of
evidence based medicine to improve
standards of inpatient care.
Role in the hospital
Role in education
REVN's are very much involved in client
education through procedures such as
admitting and discharging patients.
Formulation of patient care plans also
involves significant input from the client as
details of their horse’s normal behaviour
and eating habits are required. Both the
REVN and the client learn a lot during the
formulation and use of the care plan, and
this encourages the formation a nurse-client
bond. This helps increase public
awareness of the role of the veterinary
nurse in practice. REVN's are also involved
in client talks and courses at the practice,
as well as going out on visits. REVN's are
used to help educate veterinary students
that come to the practice as part of their
degree course as well as teaching them
how to perform TPR examinations, take
x-rays, administer medication and perform
bandage changes, and in doing so are
responsible for educating the veterinary
surgeons of the future. REVN's also train
and teach the veterinary nursing students
at the practice, guiding them through
their three year course by providing
practical and theoretical knowledge on
a daily basis.
Conclusion
There is no normal working day for an
REVN, you have to be versatile to work in
practice, out on yards and to educate your
colleagues, clients and veterinary students
at all times. Emergencies can arrive at any
time day or night and arranged procedures
can change on an hourly basis. The way to
survive is to adapt using professional
judgement and skills to assist and support
others in the veterinary team. Being an
REVN is challenging, inspiring and heart
breaking all at the same time however I still
believe it is the most rewarding career you
could ever choose.
As well as working in the hospital,
REVN's also have a role in ambulatory
practice too. REVN's will often go out
on visits with the vets to assist in taking
x-rays. Ambulatory x-rays are usually
required for laminitic patients or
suspected fractures. It is not ideal to
travel these patients to the hospital for
investigation. Sometimes REVN's will also
go out with the vet to assist with other
procedures such as ultrasound scans,
electrocardiograms (ECG's), endoscopy
examinations and bandage changes.
REVN's can also go out on their own to
teach owners how to use inhalers for a
condition known as Recurrent Airway
Obstruction (RAO). This condition
arises when the horse develops a
hypersensitivity to dust and fungal spores
in straw, shavings and hay. RAO causes
breathing difficulties and an inhaler is
often required to deliver medication
straight to the lungs, where it is most
effective. Being able to go out on visits is
good for REVN's as they get a change
of scenery and are exposed to first
opinion cases that they wouldn’t normally
see in the hospital. It is also really nice
to go out and meet new clients and
patients and get to know new yards.
From a client point of view it is good for
them to meet the REVN's on the yard as
then they will know who is looking after
their horse if he/she ever gets admitted
into the practice for treatment.
Role in ambulatory practice
