References
Evaluation of the nursing care plan in a thyroidectomy surgical case

Abstract
Veterinary nurses work closely with their patients to deliver a high quality of care. This care is implemented using nursing care plans (NCPs). This article aims to evaluate the use of a nursing care plan and its value in practice as well as enhancing nurses' understanding of them. Within this article the author will be discussing the actual and potential problems and implementing the nursing interventions in a nursing care plan pre, post surgery and at discharge in a thyroidectomy case. Veterinary nurses play an important role in making sure the NCP is successful and patients receive the best quality of care. This article evaluates the benefits and disadvantages of NCPs to determine whether they are useful for nursing care of surgical cases.
Advances in the veterinary field are driving changes taking place within the nursing curriculum. As a result the role of the registered veterinary nurse (RVN) has changed to meet the needs of this advancing profession. There are now an abundance of specialised areas in which the veterinary nurse can study. A nurse's job involves anything from advocating for their patients, counselling the owners, data analysis, anaesthesia, radiography to most importantly caring for their patients in a systemic and holistic manner (Barrett et al, 2009). The role of a specialised surgical nurse involves caring for their patient before, during and after surgical procedures. This is a huge responsibility and all aspects of the patient's care should be taken into consideration when planning the treatment. It is part of the nurse's role to evolve the care given, as the patient's needs change throughout the procedure (Carpenito-Moyet, 2009). This also emphasises the importance of the surgical nurse's knowledge in a wide range of surgical procedures.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting The Veterinary Nurse and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.