We caught up with animal-lover Kay from Wolverhampton PDSA to find out what it’s like to work at PDSA (after 29 years!) and what she loves most about being part of the team.
How did you start training to become a Vet Nurse?
I wanted to work with animals from a young age; however, I knew how difficult it was to get a training position at a veterinary practice. So I began volunteering at a small local private practice when I was 16. My duties included cleaning consulting rooms and calling clients in when the vets were ready to see them. This is excellent grounding to anyone’s career, whether as a hopeful vet, vet nurse, or animal care auxiliary.
Being a vet or vet nurse is a highly desirable job, and it’s becoming even more popular. Places at colleges and universities are sought after; any experience gives you a great head start in your career!
Can you describe a typical day at PDSA?
Every day is different at PDSA, so there is no 'typical day'!
At 9am our appointments begin, and I start to see clients and pet patients. As well as face-to-face appointments, we have also been offering remote consultations to try and keep everyone as safe as possible during the pandemic.
Vet Nurses work closely with our Vets in every aspect of veterinary care. From checking in-patients on our ward rounds, reporting on their recovery, planning and implementing in-patient care and treatment options under the guidance of our vet, to making sure pets are getting the best care possible.
Nurses are vital ‘front of house’, from dispensing of medication to providing face to face consultations; taking blood samples, carrying out post-operative checks, removing sutures, checking wounds, doing bandage changes, amongst many others.
‘Out the back’, nurses have a key role in the smooth running of any veterinary practice. We administer medications, care for inpatients needing supportive treatment (such as fluid drips, taking blood, urine and skin samples), prepare for and take x-rays, monitor anaesthetics, assist in surgery or work in the laboratory, and test urine, skin or blood samples. We also monitor anaesthetics while our vets perform surgery. We ensure that the anaesthetic goes smoothly and safely, watching closely for any problems that should arise, constantly checking temperature, pulse, and respiration rates, so we immediately flag any areas of concern. We also monitor pet patients while recovering from surgery. We are responsible for the nursing care of any hospitalised pets, performing pain scores to help determine whether pets need additional pain relief during recovery.
Vet Nurses also have the important job of staying in touch with pets’ owners. We update owners on their pet’s progress, arrange times for owners, explain aftercare and medication, and book follow-up appointments to check pets’ recoveries.
In addition, my job also entails cleaning and sterilising equipment - an important part of infection control, replenishing stock (e.g. medication), unpacking orders, making sure equipment is safe, organising team meetings, arranging repair of equipment, and the list goes on!
What do you love most about your job?
I really love making a difference in pets and owners lives through vet care and education. PDSA is there for pets and people in need. Without our help, they wouldn’t have anywhere else to turn.
How important is the public's support and donations?
Every day we have calls coming into the Pet Hospital; the entire veterinary team are incredibly busy treating pets and staying in touch with owners. Multiple operations take place daily, medications are dispensed, and animals are nursed back to health. There is a huge demand for our services, and without public support and generous donations, we would not be here to help those that need us.