May is Vet Nurse Awareness Month, and we couldn't be prouder of the team behind the care here at Orchard Vets. All month long, we'll be celebrating our 14 incredible vet nurses over on our Facebook and Instagram pages, so make sure you give us a follow to find out more about the team and the invaluable work they do behind the scenes
 
Did you know that vet nurses don’t just assist in appointments? In reality, they monitor anaesthesia, prep and recover surgical patients, run diagnostic tests, provide intensive nursing care, and so much more!
Whether they're comforting an anxious pet or supporting a worried owner, their calm and caring presence makes all the difference.
 
Becoming a qualified vet nurse requires a minimum of 3 years of training, thousands of hours of hands-on clinical training and RCVS registration. In addition, every registered vet nurse must complete 15 hours of extra study per year to ensure their knowledge base stays up to date. The nurses on our team have collectively accumulated decades of expertise. That’s a lot of knowledge, dedication and passion in one place!

Vet nurses are made of tough stuff. 

Vet nursing is a role that asks a lot emotionally. Our nurses are there for the happiest and the hardest moments. From new pets to the time it comes to say goodbye to your beloved companion, our vet nurses go through it all with you. The compassion required to get through the tougher days isn’t something that comes naturally to anyone. It’s safe to say that vet nurses are a special breed of people.
 
While emotional resilience is important, veterinary nursing is a demanding job that involves a wide range of medical and administrative tasks. From assisting in surgeries to monitoring anaesthesia, administering and calculating medications, and educating pet owners, the role is far more complex and varied than it might appear. Vet nurses need to have knowledge of biology and chemistry and possess strong communication skills. It’s a career that demands both head and heart in equal measure.
 
Among our team, you'll find founding members who helped build this practice from the ground up, nurses who have been with us for decades, newly qualified nurses who trained right here with us, specialist rehabilitation nurses, Cat Advocates and exotic enthusiasts. To find out more about each one of our incredible nurses, give us a follow on Facebook or Instagram.
 
Our nurses give everything to the animals and owners who walk through our doors, and without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to provide the level of care and service that has allowed us to still be here after nearly 50 years. This month, and every month, we are grateful to have them.