The challenges faced by a student equine veterinary nurse and how to overcome them
Abstract
Student nurses can train to become qualified veterinary nurses via a degree route, or by acquiring a diploma while employed in practice. The training period is exciting and rewarding but presents many challenges. Both routes are stringently assessed and require student nurses to work proactively to complete a wide range of tasks for their electronic logs, prepare cases to discuss in assignments and revise for exams. In order to overcome these challenges, students can adopt time-efficient study strategies, prepare for meetings in advance, keep track of paperwork for interesting cases as they arise, and implement a strategy for managing cases required for electronic logs. Students should also ensure that they are making time for exercise, hobbies, socialisation and rest to prevent burnout, make their time studying more enjoyable and increase the likelihood of success. If they are struggling, students can turn to sources of support such as Vet Life, who help with health, mental wellbeing and financial challenges.
The process of training to become a registered veterinary nurse (RVN) is an exciting time for equine veterinary nursing students. While the process is exceptionally rewarding, it presents several challenges. These challenges should be viewed as an opportunity to develop problem solving skills, flexibility and resilience, all of which are vital attributes within the veterinary industry. The knowledge and experience of qualified members of the nursing team who have already overcome such challenges is invaluable to helping student nurses.
There are different routes that prospective nurses can take in order to qualify as a veterinary nurse. One of the most popular routes is the vocational route, whereby student veterinary nurses (SVNs) study for a level 3 diploma in veterinary nursing over a 2-3 year period while employed in a practice that has been approved for training by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). They will typically attend college in person or online 1 day per week, or on a block release, while spending the rest of their time training on the job. This can be done as part of an apprenticeship or a privately funded course. There are many assessments that students undertaking this route will need to complete, including examinations, assignments and an electronic skills log which assesses the skills developed in practice. Once these are complete, student nurses need to pass their end point assessments (EPAs), which incorporate a professional discussion and a practical examination known as the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).
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