Vet Times

Tag: RVN

  • Openness and transparency

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    I recently discovered a veterinary practice in southern England that advertises the fact they have a glass wall looking into their prep room, as well as secure online access to their patient’s clinical records. This sounds like a brilliant idea for openness and transparency, as well as enhancing the access owners have to their pet’s…

  • Supportive feedback in work-based learning

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    As part of a course I’m studying, I have been looking at feedback in clinical education. This means feedback to students and qualified staff in educational institutions, as well as in the workplace. Surveying students (pre and post-qualification) finds the majority feel they have not had enough feedback, and what they have received has not been…

  • The VN status debate

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    I am currently stuck at home with a bad back, so I’ve had plenty of time to read a debate on Vet Nurse about the list for veterinary nurses being phased out in favour of the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses. It is an emotive topic and members of this forum seem to be showing…

  • Check out pad wounds thoroughly

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    Last Saturday I had a “walk in” – a very cute spaniel that was limping slightly and had a cut pad. The owner thought she might have trodden on something. A good palpation didn’t seem to suggest the presence of any foreign body and the dog was very stoical. My previous experiences suggest any foreign…

  • Dentistry: do you know all the options?

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    I have been teaching surgical nursing and during a recent oronasal session we covered dentistry. The class is varied, but most of the students have at least two years in practice at a variety of first opinion and referral practices – yet many were still surprised at the options clients and pets have for dental treatment. There was particular surprise that…

  • Communication and memory

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    I often see new graduate workshops and tutorials advertised where the seminar leaders address the problems of communication. Similar events are offered to older codgers, too. I’ve been to a couple; the Veterinary Defence Society points out the majority of complaints it handles involve some form of breakdown in communication. The speakers often lay the blame squarely…

  • Looking to the future: John Blackwell

    Looking to the future: John Blackwell

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    London Vet Show 2014 saw the launch of Vet Futures, a major new initiative that aims to help the veterinary profession prepare for and shape its own future. Jointly funded and led by the RCVS and the BVA, this project aims to help understand where the provision of veterinary services is currently heading, whether this…

  • The cases that stay with you

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    We are deep into a busy term of teaching and have veterinary care assistant students in centre, as well as nursing diploma and nursing degree groups. We are also supporting students in practice and ensuring nursing progress log (NPL) completion. It’s so important in teaching to relate theoretical and practical elements to cases. We can use standard cases…

  • Doctor?

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    Stuart Reid, current president of the RCVS, wants to revisit the old chestnut of using the title “Doctor” for UK-trained vets. Good luck to him. In the face of widespread protests, the Royal College recently reconsidered its decision to stop publishing additional postnominals a member may have where they aren’t directly relevant to his or…

  • The uncaring profession?

    The uncaring profession?

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    Outside my professional life I am a member of a dog walking group. However, as Hollie can’t actually walk that far, we usually meet fellow members and join in for about 20 minutes before retiring to a cafe to await their return. It’s a nice, mixed bunch, and we use social media to keep everyone…