VetPartners empowers equine nurses to enhance patient care

VetPartners empowers equine nurses to enhance patient care

VETPARTNERS has launched an initiative to celebrate the skills and expertise of equine veterinary nurses (EVNs) and help them develop fulfilling and rewarding careers.

The veterinary group, which has nearly 40 of the UK’s most trusted equine veterinary practices and hospitals, is supporting EVNs who want to get more hands-on and do more to put their nursing skills into practice.

After receiving feedback from its nurses on how they would like their roles to evolve, VetPartners has launched Project NURSE, which stands for Nurturing and Utilising RVN Skills and Experience

The project was devised by the VetPartners Equine Nursing and Client Communication Special Interest Groups, with support from the Equine Clinical Board and Clinical Board Support Team. It has received approval from the RCVS ethics board.

The first stage of Project NURSE is to survey horse owners to find out what they understand about the role of registered EVNs and if they would be receptive to nurses visiting yards to carry out certain procedures, under the direction of a vet and within the scope of what is permissible by the RCVS.

Phillippa Pritchard, an EVN and training manager at Liphook Equine Hospital, one of VetPartners’ practices, has been awarded a £1,000 grant by MSD Animal Health to promote the survey and is helping lead Project NURSE on behalf of VetPartners.

Phillippa said: “EVNs have an important role to play in equine practices and hospitals, but many nurses would welcome the opportunity to be more involved in yard visits and put their skills to the best possible use.

“There are many procedures we are qualified to do, including changing wound dressings, taking blood samples and administering prescribed doses of sedation, and by making more use of these skills we feel we would be able to help our practices provide an even better service to patients and clients.

“I also believe that having more interaction with owners and their horses would have a positive impact on job retention because equine nurses would be more fulfilled in their role and feel they have opportunities to develop their careers.”

VetPartners equine director Julian Rishworth added: “Our central ethos revolves around practices being a great place to work and striving for clinical excellence. Equine veterinary nurses are such an integral part of practice teams and if we don’t allow them to fully use their skills and fulfil their potential we are failing the team, our clients, their horses and our own group aspirations.”

The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous, but you can choose to have your details entered into a prize draw to win £100 of Love2Shop vouchers.

To find out more and access the surveys visit https://vetpartners.co.uk/project-nurse-recognising-and-enabling-veterinary-nurses-skills/

For media enquiries, please contact Jo Browne, VetPartners PR and Communications manager, on 07908 739 605 or email jo.browne@vetpartners.co.uk