Fair and generous pay for veterinary professions

Veterinary nursing census data around the world reveal a common trend; we are underpaid compared with most other qualified occupations, and we are underutilised compared with the skills we gained in our professional qualifications. The implications of chronic low pay of veterinary professionals are extensive, reaching all aspects of the sector from operational efficiencies, and public service, to clinical effectiveness, and animal welfare. Despite the reasons and issues that need to be resolved, one thing is for certain, we need to pay our veterinary nurses fairly and in line with our level of professionalism, credentials, and responsibility.

There is extensive research looking at operational efficiencies in sectors that have low wages. Some trends in this research show dramatic consequences to wellbeing, performance, and creativity when people are underpaid. Mental and physical health suffers; cognitive functions are impacted, with decreased creativity, and efficiency. Evidence shows a 13 point drop in IQ when there is a daily struggle to make ends meet. Workers struggle to pay the bills, their health suffers, their performance declines, and consequently they don't get utilised, promoted, or empowered to take on advanced roles. The flow-on effects of this process to the workforce includes low productivity, decreased profits, decreased confidence in employees, poor organisational culture, and high staff turnover. Low wages are both a cause and effect of designing for mediocrity. It's a vicious cycle.