References
Readers' Letters (1) (1)
We would like to thank Jennifer Hamlin (Editorial, Owning the title of veterinary nurse, September 2022) for her insightful, evidence-based account of the way forward for veterinary nursing as a profession. We strongly concur with Hamlin's statement that, ‘postgraduate qualifications are essential for advancing our profession and identity’. Hamlin's words were particularly pertinent to the Australian context where we now have four bachelor degrees which prepare graduates to work as veterinary nurses and technicians in clinical practice. Since the inception of the first bachelor degree programme more than 20 years ago, several graduates have completed postgraduate studies, from Honours through to doctoral level. Many graduates have, and continue to contribute to, the body of published knowledge on which to base veterinary nursing practice — a key characteristic of a profession.
Hamlin's comparisons with the history of human nursing need to be heard. In Australia, a review of the transition of human nursing into higher education highlighted that nurses undertaking study up to doctoral level were an opportunity to develop ‘the individual nurse, the profession and the health care system’ (Reid 1994, p. 34). Likewise, a subsequent 2002 review identified that nursing research and nursing researchers provided a framework for good policy decisions, improving clinical practice and education, and an evidence base for nursing practice (Heath, 2002). We believe this highlights the critical role of university-educated graduates in the broader community of veterinary nursing practice.
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