Creating pathways with positive changes

When I qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2002, I remember being over whelmed with excitement, confidence and passion for my new profession. I would like to hope, and believe, that veterinary nurses are seen a little bit differently now than they were back then, with respect to autonomy and with the changes in how the profession is regulated. If someone had told me at the time of receiving my badge and certificate: ‘you are now responsible for your nursing actions’ I think I would have been tempted to hand my badge straight back along with my certificate!

Slow gradual changes are needed in any profession to improve it, whether it be the introduction of a new protocol, new hours or simply the way that nursing care is delivered. I have experienced this numerous times during my many years as a veterinary nurse. I remember at the start thinking ‘just be a good nurse and caring towards the animals, and you will be fine’. I was so wrong, I have learned that in order to survive in the veterinary profession as a ‘good and caring nurse’, I need to be constantly updating my knowledge through continued professional development (CPD), research and reading evidence-based articles. Someone always seems to be changing the protocol for something. You only have to review the literature and history of CPCR to understand the degree of change over the years.