The Veterinary Nurse Eras: Practical Skills for RVNs

Kickstart the day with an overview of the program, highlighting how these sessions will address the distinct needs of RVNs and their patients in clinical practice.

Recognising and managing pain is one of the most important responsibilities of the veterinary nurse. However, identifying pain can be challenging, particularly across different species and clinical situations. This session explores how RVNs can confidently recognise and advocate for patients experiencing pain. We will discuss the differences between acute and chronic pain, how pain presents behaviourally and physiologically, and how pain scoring tools can support clinical decision making. We will also focus on the important advocacy role veterinary nurses play within the clinical team, highlighting when and how to escalate concerns to ensure patients receive appropriate analgesia and care.

Learning Outcomes

• Differentiate between acute and chronic pain and understand how each may present in clinical patients
• Recognise behavioural and physiological indicators of pain across different veterinary species
• Identify commonly used pain scoring tools and understand how they are applied in clinical practice
• Escalate concerns appropriately and advocate effectively for improved pain management

Cytology can feel intimidating, but veterinary nurses do not need to be “mini pathologists” to make a meaningful difference. This practical session focuses on what RVNs can confidently do to improve cytology sampling and diagnostic success. Delegates will explore how to select appropriate samples, prepare high quality slides, and recognise key cytological patterns that guide clinical decisions. The session will also discuss nurse led sampling where appropriate, slide preparation techniques that minimise artefact, and how to recognise patterns such as inflammation versus infection. The aim is to empower veterinary nurses to become more involved in diagnostic processes, producing better samples, clearer answers, and contributing actively to patient management.

Learning Outcomes

• Select appropriate cytology samples for common clinical scenarios and recognise when sampling may not be appropriate
• Prepare high quality cytology slides including FNAs and blood smears
• Identify common artefacts and understand how they can affect interpretation
• Recognise key cytological patterns without needing to identify every individual cell type
• Escalate findings appropriately to support clinical decision making

A key role of the registered veterinary nurse is that of patient advocate. RVNs are often the veterinary surgeon’s eyes and ears, noticing subtle changes in patient condition and raising concerns when something does not feel right. However, speaking up is not always easy. Nurses may sometimes feel uncertain about how to escalate concerns or worry that their observations will not be recognised. Drawing on real experiences from both clinical practice and leadership roles, this session explores the challenges RVNs face when advocating for their patients. We will discuss practical strategies for raising concerns effectively and how communication and workplace culture influence patient safety.

Learning Outcomes

• Recognise the importance of effective communication in maintaining patient safety
• Identify barriers that may prevent veterinary nurses from escalating concerns
• Apply practical strategies to escalate patient concerns clearly and effectively
• Understand how team culture and incivility can impact patient outcomes
• Describe ways to promote a positive safety culture within veterinary practices

Hypotension is one of the most common complications encountered during general anaesthesia, even in otherwise healthy patients, largely due to the cardiovascular effects of anaesthetic drugs which can cause vasodilation, reduced myocardial contractility, and decreased cardiac output. If not addressed promptly, persistent hypotension may lead to inadequate organ perfusion and potential complications affecting the kidneys, brain, and other vital organs. This session will explore the physiology of arterial blood pressure and why maintaining an adequate mean arterial pressure is essential during anaesthesia. Participants will review both invasive and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring techniques, including Doppler and oscillometric methods, and consider their advantages and limitations. A practical, step-by-step approach to recognising and managing hypotension will also be discussed, covering fluid therapy, adjustments to anaesthetic depth, MAC-sparing strategies, and the use of inotropes and vasopressors.

Learning Outcomes

• Define intraoperative hypotension and recognise its potential consequences
• Describe the physiological factors influencing arterial blood pressure
• Compare direct and indirect blood pressure monitoring techniques
• Identify common causes of hypotension during anaesthesia
• Apply a stepwise approach to managing hypotension

Ultrasound is increasingly used in veterinary practice, and veterinary nurses play a crucial role in ensuring imaging procedures run smoothly and efficiently. This session focuses on practical skills that help RVNs support diagnostic imaging, including patient preparation, positioning, probe handling, and image optimisation. Participants will also learn how to recognise when images are likely to be diagnostic and how nurses can contribute effectively to the diagnostic workflow during ultrasound procedures.

Learning Outcomes

• Prepare patients appropriately for ultrasound examinations
• Position patients safely to facilitate optimal imaging
• Understand basic probe handling and image optimisation techniques
• Recognise factors that affect image quality
• Support clinicians effectively during ultrasound procedures

Wound management can be straightforward in theory but far more challenging in practice. Delayed healing, infection, bandage complications, and patient factors can all influence outcomes. This session explores practical approaches to managing complex or slow healing wounds. Participants will review dressing selection, bandaging strategies, and how to recognise when a wound management plan needs to change. Through practical examples, the session will highlight how veterinary nurses can play a central role in wound assessment, monitoring, and decision making.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify factors that contribute to delayed wound healing
• Select appropriate dressings based on wound characteristics
• Apply bandaging techniques that optimise healing
• Recognise complications and adjust management strategies
• Escalate concerns when wounds are not progressing as expected

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency that requires rapid recognition and immediate intervention. Veterinary nurses play a critical role in triage, cooling, monitoring, and ongoing patient care. We will explore the pathophysiology of heat stroke and how early intervention can dramatically improve outcomes. Participants will review current evidence-based cooling protocols, monitoring strategies, and common complications associated with heat stroke. The session will also focus on the nursing priorities that support patients from initial presentation through to recovery.

Learning Outcomes

• Recognise early clinical signs of heat stroke
• Implement appropriate cooling strategies safely and effectively
• Monitor patients for complications during treatment and recovery
• Support patients through ongoing emergency and critical care management