Pay disparaties in veterinary nursing

In a previous editorial, I discussed fair and generous pay, highlighting the chronic underpayment and underutilisation of veterinary nurses and its impact on both individuals and the workforce. Despite the profession's ongoing efforts to raise awareness of our critical role in animal healthcare, wages remain a contentious issue, complicated by various socio-cultural and economic factors. While this systemic challenge is not easily resolved, veterinary nurses can play a key role in advocating for greater awareness and sustained discussion around this important issue.

If we cannot afford to stay in the profession, we lose the opportunity to pursue advanced education, which is crucial for contributing to the scientific knowledge essential for our evolution. With few veterinary nursing scholars, our profession lacks a robust evidence base that underscores it as a science-based field. We need more scholars to explore our professional identity and support evidence-based practice. Our effectiveness as professionals centers on our capacity to grow and evolve—yet inadequate pay hinders this potential.