Tag: RCVS

  • Reflection rebranded

    Reflection rebranded

    by

    Reflection. Yep, it’s the R word again. Now, don’t turn off, because I’m actually thinking we need a rebrand. Bear with me. As an idea, reflection seems to cause a whole heap of negativity in people. But, when you think about it, isn’t it just a process of reviewing new information and applying it to…

  • Professional conduct

    Professional conduct

    by

    “Profession” – here’s what the Oxford English Dictionary has to say about the subject: “[noun] A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.” And on “professional”, it says the following: “[adjective] Worthy of or appropriate to a professional person; competent, skilful, or assured.” That doesn’t cover all of it, of…

  • Green is not the only colour

    Green is not the only colour

    by

    I’m in a bit of a rut – I’ll apologise for that now. There’s a bit of a theme coming out in my current writing; it’s all about our identity, or lack thereof, as seen from different viewpoints. I started digging into this subject at the beginning of the year (Are vet nurses hidden in…

  • A defence of generalism

    A defence of generalism

    by

    Ahh, veterinary medicine. Look at it, stretching out over the horizon – so pretty. Look at all those referral centres. Of course, I remember back when it was all fields. Back in my day, you could be a proper mixed vet, expressing anal glands with the lingering scent of cowpat on your fingers, and an…

  • VN training contracts: do all sides know the deal?

    VN training contracts: do all sides know the deal?

    by

    As we face increasing the number of training practices (TPs) to get more student veterinary nurses through the system, it’s time to look at how the relationship between employer, practice and student works. The costs of being a TP are often cited as an issue to becoming one. In last month’s blog, I gave an…

  • CPD – why we do it

    CPD – why we do it

    by

    The door closes behind the client and you breathe a sigh of relief. The last three appointments are booked off, and even with this extra unexpected cat bite abscess, you’re going to finish in time; you might be there 10 minutes late, but you’ll make it. That’s when your receptionist pops his or her head…

  • Stitches

    Stitches

    by

    Legality within the veterinary profession can be a bit of a minefield, especially when it comes to things like drug licensing. This leaves many new graduates in fear of doing something against the law without even realising. However, while some veterinary legal principles are complicated but clear, others are genuinely vague, leaving us unsure on…

  • Student congress season

    Student congress season

    by

    The new year brought with it my last student congress season. It was the turn of Cambridge to host the Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) Congress this year, and I attended lectures covering a range of disciplines and species. These included: equine dentistry rabbit surgery pig disease epidemiology a TB panel However, my personal favourite…

  • Are vet nurses hidden in plain sight?

    Are vet nurses hidden in plain sight?

    by

    As a community, we vet nurses sometimes feel we are not noticed. We know the rest of the vet community sees us (we’ve had the RCVS petition to show support for protecting our title and now have the Schedule 3 working party to look at what we do every day) and people outside our community…

  • How to find a veterinary nurse

    How to find a veterinary nurse

    by

    I often get asked how do I find a vet nurse? Yes, a shortage of veterinary nurses exists. Yes, we are hard to find – but we do exist, and we may just be looking to get a new job. Yet many people report they can’t find any vet nurses to employ. Well, I just may have…