You Can't Be a Great Veterinary Nurse Without Loving Animals

A central component of a veterinary nurse's skills is his/her love of animals.  Through that love and compassion her learned skills are far more effective.  Without that central core of tenderness towards her patients a veterinarian or veterinary nurse will only ever be average.

Veterinary Nurse Anna Johansson. Photo: RVC.

I believe that this is the thinking behind the selection procedure for applicants to a university in Scotland who wish to participate in a vet tech course.  In the UK, vet techs are called veterinary nurses.

Applicants to Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, have to interact with a dog during interview and demonstrate to the interviewer that they are able to do so to the requisite standard.  In this way the selection panel are able to reassure themselves that the person not only has the requisite academic qualifications but also the right attitude towards patients.

I need not say anything more.  All medical personnel, and I'm thinking particularly of nurses working in hospitals treating people, should have a compassionate approach to their job.  It is a vocation and the same applies to veterinary nurses.