It has been a damaged penis wave with animals in the last 2 shifts we have had 3 dogs with badly damaged penis 2 were sewn back on as not totally ripped off. The last was put down due to damage, it was totally ripped off and age of the patient.
The other thing we are having is the "diabetic" month. Last shift we had 2 unstable diabetics in last night was 5 unstable diabetics. Not sure why we seem to have these plateaus of certain cases. In the diabetic cases it isn't Christmas indulgence, all the owners are used to dealing with diabetic pets and very strict.
It seems to happen in waves, we will have a mass kidney failure wave or a liver problem wave or ....something wave.
Works been really slow coming in lately. Usually l am at the emergency clinic so don't notice but at the moment not many folks taking time off so no work.
The locum agency's say this dead patch at this time of the year is normal. There is a lot of long term maternity cover out there but 1)It is far away and 2)I only like short term it means you are not tied in and end up having to ask for time off or mess the practice about when you take pre arranged time off.
I was offered a couple of jobs at places l had been and while said l may consider them they thankfully came to nothing, l doubt l could have stomached the places.
Still l am ok for now and taking advantage of the break. I worked last night and by the time 23:00 came l was so exhausted l could barely make it to the car and drive home. For the first time in ages l got 6hrs uninterrupted sleep as opposed to a couple of hours 4 max and very interrupted.
Showing posts with label Veterinary Nursing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Veterinary Nursing. Show all posts
Monday, 17 January 2011
Saturday, 8 January 2011
End of 2010
I have not really stopped for the last few months. Work at my normal place went quiet and l enjoyed getting out and about and seeing how the other half lives. Last night was the first night l have slept in my own bed for over a month. The time l was home over Christmas and wasn't working it was too cold to sleep upstairs l huddled under duvets on the sofa with heating on and doors shut.
I went to stay with a friend for 3 days down London but then the first lot of snow hit and l was stuck there for a week. Finally got home at just gone midnight of the Friday missed 3 nights work and felt awful for having let them down even though there was nothing l could do and they were fine knowing l would never let them down on purpose.
Work has carried me down to the south of England where l stayed with a friend of ours in Hastings Brian was his surrogate Dad.
I drove to work up in Sussex and Kent and back each day and worked at l think it was 5 different practices in 2 weeks but have lost track. The round trip was about 140mile each day, but l would rather stay with a friend so l didn't care. What l hated was the bit of M25 l had to drive on OMG the thought of doing that daily would drive me nuts.
His crazy dog, a Labrador, need l say more ate the bag of double pink poppy seeds l took down for him to plant in Brian's memory. However poppies will grow all over the small woods l am sure as Rosie was dashing around off a lead in the undergrowth!
I met a friend of his who has become a fantastic new friend to me, he has driven me to distraction at times, although good friends do that.
Kev was the only one l would allow to come with me to Brian's inquest. By that l mean anyone was welcome to go but l didn't want to sit with them. Kev isn't a skydiver he is is a fireman who teaches BA and has never met Brian.
I felt that Brian's death had hurt so many not just myself but skydivers, l knew l would find the inquest hard and couldn't l suppose the word would be "carry" more hurt from his friends mine was enough to cope with that day.
A lot offered and l couldn't explain easily so if they read this l hope they understand why l said "no thanks l want to be alone, but you are welcome to go just not with me". It was not them it was how much l felt l could carry.
I have already put a small bit in about the inquest in an earlier blog. It is over it was the expected verdict, and it changed nothing in that Brian is still dead so there really is nothing to add.
I worked at a place in a town with a weird name won't say where as l really disliked the practice, although the locum vet (only the 2 of us there) was lovely. The up side was l was placed in a nice huge pub for B & B.
Down to the Fenland's of Cambridgeshire, 3 different practices and staying in 2 different towns to the practices that was yet more driving. My sat nav broke on me. Thankfully he came back on but l had a nasty shock. Luckily l managed to remember part of my route and then it came on again, no tom and l go into meltdown.
My final practice for 2 weeks before Christmas them Christmas week off and worked over new year was one in Bristol. Which l enjoyed it was all night work but they were very quiet.
I decided to treat myself to a new sat nav as tom has played up a couple of times, he is nearly 4 years old and as stated my sense of direction is abysmal.
I am now the proud owner of the Tom Tom live 1000 not all the functions are working yet but they are coming on line. It guides me round traffic jams, at junctions splits into lane view so l can work out what road to go on. Tells me street numbers and names all sorts of nice things I did look at the 1005 it has a 5" screen as opposed to 4 3/4 but decided the present one fits in my little case and l would need to pay a fortune for another one.
Health wise end of year sort of crammed it in. Washing machine died on me so l have another coming have had to change delivery date 2xs due to family and work.
I got multiple chomps on the hand from a dog, luckily smallish dog but still left a few deep holes which l decided to get antibiotics for as being run down l knew sods law would get infected a 3 hour wait at an empty NHS walk in did not do my temper any good.
I had to go to the emergency dentist while l was away due to a cavity, he put me on anti B for an infection, took an x-ray and talked garbage telling me that the bone was fine. WTF l didn't expect it not to be, he told me off for putting in temp filler from the chemist. I don't like BS and wasted money but l was in too much pain to argue.
My dentist went nuts at other dentist (didn't ring him but was tempted)& said l didn't need anti B l needed it filled and my temp. fill was why the pain died away, the nerve that was exposed and swollen and got a rest.
I had a huge build up of my allergy. Have never discovered to what exactly just general chemicals seem to affect me, think being all over and the different washing powders etc triggered it. I was dosing myself with antihistamines 3xs a day to try hold the itching off. I finally caved in and had to get some stronger ones from my idiot Dr. 3 weeks later l am finally less purple on my legs and not scratching myself raw.
The worst one was the leptospirosis (weils disease) scare. This is one of the few notifiable diseases in humans. In fact in October 10 it killed an Olympic rower.
I was intense nursing a dog and asked a couple of vets about lepto but was told no way, then he died and life moved on.
I went back over the new year to be told "we were trying to decide if we should tell you sammi died of lepto, but l decided to tell you as l don't think any one else was going to bother to."
I was furious, one of the minor side effects can be death or any or all of the following liver, kidney, heart failure. It is a very painful disease having seen dogs with it and knowing a vetnurse that caught it.
It can manifest as severe headaches something l had been having but figured was the tooth due to nerve problems to be sure l rang the OOH Dr who agreed but we had a pleasant chat, then she commented about the cold like symptoms.
I burst out laughing at this point and told her it was either going to be swine flu or lepto so there was no point in worrying. Thankfully l was ok but l was not a happy puppy.
Had we not known fine but to know and try to decide whether to "bother" telling someone is another thing entirely.
So now we are into 2011. No proper work on the horizon but to be honest l need a bit of a break. I recon Brian is behind this work bottleneck to force me to rest, work will come in when he unblocks the log jam l have no doubt.
I went to stay with a friend for 3 days down London but then the first lot of snow hit and l was stuck there for a week. Finally got home at just gone midnight of the Friday missed 3 nights work and felt awful for having let them down even though there was nothing l could do and they were fine knowing l would never let them down on purpose.
Work has carried me down to the south of England where l stayed with a friend of ours in Hastings Brian was his surrogate Dad.
I drove to work up in Sussex and Kent and back each day and worked at l think it was 5 different practices in 2 weeks but have lost track. The round trip was about 140mile each day, but l would rather stay with a friend so l didn't care. What l hated was the bit of M25 l had to drive on OMG the thought of doing that daily would drive me nuts.
His crazy dog, a Labrador, need l say more ate the bag of double pink poppy seeds l took down for him to plant in Brian's memory. However poppies will grow all over the small woods l am sure as Rosie was dashing around off a lead in the undergrowth!
I met a friend of his who has become a fantastic new friend to me, he has driven me to distraction at times, although good friends do that.
Kev was the only one l would allow to come with me to Brian's inquest. By that l mean anyone was welcome to go but l didn't want to sit with them. Kev isn't a skydiver he is is a fireman who teaches BA and has never met Brian.
I felt that Brian's death had hurt so many not just myself but skydivers, l knew l would find the inquest hard and couldn't l suppose the word would be "carry" more hurt from his friends mine was enough to cope with that day.
A lot offered and l couldn't explain easily so if they read this l hope they understand why l said "no thanks l want to be alone, but you are welcome to go just not with me". It was not them it was how much l felt l could carry.
I have already put a small bit in about the inquest in an earlier blog. It is over it was the expected verdict, and it changed nothing in that Brian is still dead so there really is nothing to add.
I worked at a place in a town with a weird name won't say where as l really disliked the practice, although the locum vet (only the 2 of us there) was lovely. The up side was l was placed in a nice huge pub for B & B.
Down to the Fenland's of Cambridgeshire, 3 different practices and staying in 2 different towns to the practices that was yet more driving. My sat nav broke on me. Thankfully he came back on but l had a nasty shock. Luckily l managed to remember part of my route and then it came on again, no tom and l go into meltdown.
My final practice for 2 weeks before Christmas them Christmas week off and worked over new year was one in Bristol. Which l enjoyed it was all night work but they were very quiet.
I decided to treat myself to a new sat nav as tom has played up a couple of times, he is nearly 4 years old and as stated my sense of direction is abysmal.
I am now the proud owner of the Tom Tom live 1000 not all the functions are working yet but they are coming on line. It guides me round traffic jams, at junctions splits into lane view so l can work out what road to go on. Tells me street numbers and names all sorts of nice things I did look at the 1005 it has a 5" screen as opposed to 4 3/4 but decided the present one fits in my little case and l would need to pay a fortune for another one.
Health wise end of year sort of crammed it in. Washing machine died on me so l have another coming have had to change delivery date 2xs due to family and work.
I got multiple chomps on the hand from a dog, luckily smallish dog but still left a few deep holes which l decided to get antibiotics for as being run down l knew sods law would get infected a 3 hour wait at an empty NHS walk in did not do my temper any good.
I had to go to the emergency dentist while l was away due to a cavity, he put me on anti B for an infection, took an x-ray and talked garbage telling me that the bone was fine. WTF l didn't expect it not to be, he told me off for putting in temp filler from the chemist. I don't like BS and wasted money but l was in too much pain to argue.
My dentist went nuts at other dentist (didn't ring him but was tempted)& said l didn't need anti B l needed it filled and my temp. fill was why the pain died away, the nerve that was exposed and swollen and got a rest.
I had a huge build up of my allergy. Have never discovered to what exactly just general chemicals seem to affect me, think being all over and the different washing powders etc triggered it. I was dosing myself with antihistamines 3xs a day to try hold the itching off. I finally caved in and had to get some stronger ones from my idiot Dr. 3 weeks later l am finally less purple on my legs and not scratching myself raw.
The worst one was the leptospirosis (weils disease) scare. This is one of the few notifiable diseases in humans. In fact in October 10 it killed an Olympic rower.
I was intense nursing a dog and asked a couple of vets about lepto but was told no way, then he died and life moved on.
I went back over the new year to be told "we were trying to decide if we should tell you sammi died of lepto, but l decided to tell you as l don't think any one else was going to bother to."
I was furious, one of the minor side effects can be death or any or all of the following liver, kidney, heart failure. It is a very painful disease having seen dogs with it and knowing a vetnurse that caught it.
It can manifest as severe headaches something l had been having but figured was the tooth due to nerve problems to be sure l rang the OOH Dr who agreed but we had a pleasant chat, then she commented about the cold like symptoms.
I burst out laughing at this point and told her it was either going to be swine flu or lepto so there was no point in worrying. Thankfully l was ok but l was not a happy puppy.
Had we not known fine but to know and try to decide whether to "bother" telling someone is another thing entirely.
So now we are into 2011. No proper work on the horizon but to be honest l need a bit of a break. I recon Brian is behind this work bottleneck to force me to rest, work will come in when he unblocks the log jam l have no doubt.
Monday, 25 October 2010
Out & About
Well it has been a very novel month or so for me. All l have done is day shifts pretty much the whole time. All round the country from Cambridgeshire to Surrey or Sussex to my favourite practice in Kenilworth Martin Heart Referrals.
Vets are in general quite quiet at the moment but often have seasonal lulls so not sure if this is one of those or as a result of the recession.
Mike has done out op theatre WOW mind blowing. All panelled in plastic, dead easy to clean, every thing in new cupboards and draws, new flooring. Has been threatening to do something with the "old" for years but finally took the plunge, and wishes he had done it years ago.
Had a case of extreme shock as Mike J swore he just doesn't swear. Of course l got the blame from the others they said l was the bad influence..l told them to bog off!.
My reading of ultra sound has improved since l started to locum there but l still find it heard to equate a flat picture of the heart with the different colours put on to what l am looking at on the screen. They have colour and when that section is switched on confuses me even more due to movement but it is still fascinating.
It was thanks to the 2 Mikes that Wibble had her treatment and it allowed her a few more months of happy life until she had another sever thrombus towards the end of last year.
One place l locumed at l can see why they have a permanent advert in the vn press for nurses. It was not friendly, l chatted to one person in 2 days other than professional questions.. where is.. have you got a ...
The other practices were all pleasant enough though and it is nice to get out and about and see how the other half lives.
My present locum means l am finally sleeping in my own bed but rotas have become a joke there. So far have had 6 rota changes in a week of shifts has become a rather hysterical joke and HN struggled to keep a straight face when she asked me to swap my monday shift with her. Just as well l am flexible with things. Actually l didn't mind this last swap for today as l am on the shift l like.
Still doing the emergency practice but been there quite a bit on days and usually short notice call in for the weekend. But l did get a text at 22:30 couple of weeks ago asking ifd l could do the 22:00-08:00 shift there had been some swaps and due to an almighty mess up there was no nurse. As l was down at Mikes l couldn't help out.
I have become involved in trying to arrange a mass tandem jump. It started off as for veterinary staff but we have widened it out to friends, family and anyone we can drag it.
The idea was as a thank you to the owner of the vetnurse site l belong to and raise some money for charity. He chose Muir Maxwell Trust as his little daughter has uncontrolled epilepsy and the trust has helped them.
The other plan is to raise awareness about protecting the title veterinary nurse. At the moment anyone can call themselves a vn.
The reason l agreed to help is that it will be done at Langar Parachute Centre It is where Brian passed and spent all his time. They have been fantastic and l couldn't have got by without the people from there and have become my friends as well now. l look at Langar as a second home.
So if you want to do a jump then let me know l will add you onto the list and get forms to you. We have people from all round the country. So place you are coming from is not a hindrance. (shameless plug)
And before you ask no l am not jumping this is not about me it is about others.
The financial ombudsman has the paperwork for the camper, barclays has refused to reply to my last letter, they won't speak to me on the phone so the only way round it is to get a mediator. I just hope they come down on my side and get clydesdale (barclays) to take the motorhome.
My sleep pattern is still up the creek.I fell asleep on the settee in the evening, woke up at midnight and not been able to sleep since, it is going to be a long day. as now 6am. Think l will go get a bath and have a nice hot soak.
Vets are in general quite quiet at the moment but often have seasonal lulls so not sure if this is one of those or as a result of the recession.
Mike has done out op theatre WOW mind blowing. All panelled in plastic, dead easy to clean, every thing in new cupboards and draws, new flooring. Has been threatening to do something with the "old" for years but finally took the plunge, and wishes he had done it years ago.
Had a case of extreme shock as Mike J swore he just doesn't swear. Of course l got the blame from the others they said l was the bad influence..l told them to bog off!.
My reading of ultra sound has improved since l started to locum there but l still find it heard to equate a flat picture of the heart with the different colours put on to what l am looking at on the screen. They have colour and when that section is switched on confuses me even more due to movement but it is still fascinating.
It was thanks to the 2 Mikes that Wibble had her treatment and it allowed her a few more months of happy life until she had another sever thrombus towards the end of last year.
One place l locumed at l can see why they have a permanent advert in the vn press for nurses. It was not friendly, l chatted to one person in 2 days other than professional questions.. where is.. have you got a ...
The other practices were all pleasant enough though and it is nice to get out and about and see how the other half lives.
My present locum means l am finally sleeping in my own bed but rotas have become a joke there. So far have had 6 rota changes in a week of shifts has become a rather hysterical joke and HN struggled to keep a straight face when she asked me to swap my monday shift with her. Just as well l am flexible with things. Actually l didn't mind this last swap for today as l am on the shift l like.
Still doing the emergency practice but been there quite a bit on days and usually short notice call in for the weekend. But l did get a text at 22:30 couple of weeks ago asking ifd l could do the 22:00-08:00 shift there had been some swaps and due to an almighty mess up there was no nurse. As l was down at Mikes l couldn't help out.
I have become involved in trying to arrange a mass tandem jump. It started off as for veterinary staff but we have widened it out to friends, family and anyone we can drag it.
The idea was as a thank you to the owner of the vetnurse site l belong to and raise some money for charity. He chose Muir Maxwell Trust as his little daughter has uncontrolled epilepsy and the trust has helped them.
The other plan is to raise awareness about protecting the title veterinary nurse. At the moment anyone can call themselves a vn.
The reason l agreed to help is that it will be done at Langar Parachute Centre It is where Brian passed and spent all his time. They have been fantastic and l couldn't have got by without the people from there and have become my friends as well now. l look at Langar as a second home.
So if you want to do a jump then let me know l will add you onto the list and get forms to you. We have people from all round the country. So place you are coming from is not a hindrance. (shameless plug)
And before you ask no l am not jumping this is not about me it is about others.
The financial ombudsman has the paperwork for the camper, barclays has refused to reply to my last letter, they won't speak to me on the phone so the only way round it is to get a mediator. I just hope they come down on my side and get clydesdale (barclays) to take the motorhome.
My sleep pattern is still up the creek.I fell asleep on the settee in the evening, woke up at midnight and not been able to sleep since, it is going to be a long day. as now 6am. Think l will go get a bath and have a nice hot soak.
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Bittter Sweet
We had a 7year old Labrador brought in with end stage heart failure and end stage pregnancy. Mum had less than a week to go and the pups should survive although it was doubtful if she would.
The idea was to stabilise her and then see about a caesarian the vet gave the owners very low to negative odds of her surviving. She was placed on oxygen and given medication.
The theatre was set up for an emergency caesarian and l also set up the medical prep for an emergency “cut and grab” if the bitch crashed. If she crashed before the operation then there would be no attempt at saving her she would not come off the table alive all efforts would go to saving the puppies the correct assumption being to save her they would die in the time it took to revive her and the odds of her pulling through revival attempts with pups in her were non existent, they placed to much stress on her body.
After about 1.5 hours there was no visible signs of improvement and her stats, were slightly worse. The vet called me over and said that when he finished his present consult we would go ahead. He would give her propofol(to induce anaesthesia)and l would tube her (a tube placed into the trachea to maintain the airway and provide 02 and anesthetic gas and remove said used). We would place her straight onto her back no clipping or cleaning just go straight in and get the pups out and she may survive via crash kit and luck.
I was giving a last check to see that everything was right in theatre. Kit open, crash kit open and ready, tube to hand all plugged in ready to roll when the auxiliary called the bitch had crashed in her kennel.
We shot through. The other vn and l grabbed her and placed her upside down on the medical prep table. She was starting to chain stoke which is dying gasps. We did not tube her the vet gave a “now” and l put the propofol into her. If she was still alive she would feel nothing.
The vet made a long slice midline and pulled open her abdomen. Blood flowed out as arteries and veins were left unclamped pooled then ran and dripped off the table. The vets hands gripped and rolled out the slippery uterus and he sliced through horn one. Fluid now joined the blood the table and floor became a red green slippery pool and the golden body of the mum became red green merging with the table.
The vet pulled out neonate pup’s and started to shove them into waiting hands. I pulled up a syringe full of euthatol. A long slice through horn 2 and those neonates pulled out and passed over.
By now the prep area was awash with blood and fluid. Apart from the pool on and under the table it was up the walls from flip back pulling out the neonates, and feet were walking through the pool to and from table 2 where neonates were taken a few paces for reviving, cleaning, drying and checking (cleft palette and anus present) table 2 also had discarded placentas thrown onto the floor mingling with dirty towels from drying the neonates.
As the vet was about to get the last one l was told get ready and as he pulled the last pup out l injected the euthatol. Mum had probably already gone by this stage but we were not taking any chances.
It had only taken minutes for the procedure; from the original “crash” call to euthatol was about 5minutes.
There was 6 live pups all strong and screaming no deaths there. The vet went back to his interrupted consult and the other vn sewed up the mums abdomen while l did a quick tidy up of the area. As soon as mum was sewn up l placed the pups back onto her dead body to try and see if they could get any colostrum out of her. They got some out but as usual with newborns it took time for the idea of suckling to sink into their little brains and the time meant that it was drying up fast within their dead mum.
An hour later the pups went home, it was a bitter sweet moment we saved 6 lost 1. By the time the pups left the building medical prep was shining and clean. No signs of the life gained and lost that had happened such a short time before.
The idea was to stabilise her and then see about a caesarian the vet gave the owners very low to negative odds of her surviving. She was placed on oxygen and given medication.
The theatre was set up for an emergency caesarian and l also set up the medical prep for an emergency “cut and grab” if the bitch crashed. If she crashed before the operation then there would be no attempt at saving her she would not come off the table alive all efforts would go to saving the puppies the correct assumption being to save her they would die in the time it took to revive her and the odds of her pulling through revival attempts with pups in her were non existent, they placed to much stress on her body.
After about 1.5 hours there was no visible signs of improvement and her stats, were slightly worse. The vet called me over and said that when he finished his present consult we would go ahead. He would give her propofol(to induce anaesthesia)and l would tube her (a tube placed into the trachea to maintain the airway and provide 02 and anesthetic gas and remove said used). We would place her straight onto her back no clipping or cleaning just go straight in and get the pups out and she may survive via crash kit and luck.
I was giving a last check to see that everything was right in theatre. Kit open, crash kit open and ready, tube to hand all plugged in ready to roll when the auxiliary called the bitch had crashed in her kennel.
We shot through. The other vn and l grabbed her and placed her upside down on the medical prep table. She was starting to chain stoke which is dying gasps. We did not tube her the vet gave a “now” and l put the propofol into her. If she was still alive she would feel nothing.
The vet made a long slice midline and pulled open her abdomen. Blood flowed out as arteries and veins were left unclamped pooled then ran and dripped off the table. The vets hands gripped and rolled out the slippery uterus and he sliced through horn one. Fluid now joined the blood the table and floor became a red green slippery pool and the golden body of the mum became red green merging with the table.
The vet pulled out neonate pup’s and started to shove them into waiting hands. I pulled up a syringe full of euthatol. A long slice through horn 2 and those neonates pulled out and passed over.
By now the prep area was awash with blood and fluid. Apart from the pool on and under the table it was up the walls from flip back pulling out the neonates, and feet were walking through the pool to and from table 2 where neonates were taken a few paces for reviving, cleaning, drying and checking (cleft palette and anus present) table 2 also had discarded placentas thrown onto the floor mingling with dirty towels from drying the neonates.
As the vet was about to get the last one l was told get ready and as he pulled the last pup out l injected the euthatol. Mum had probably already gone by this stage but we were not taking any chances.
It had only taken minutes for the procedure; from the original “crash” call to euthatol was about 5minutes.
There was 6 live pups all strong and screaming no deaths there. The vet went back to his interrupted consult and the other vn sewed up the mums abdomen while l did a quick tidy up of the area. As soon as mum was sewn up l placed the pups back onto her dead body to try and see if they could get any colostrum out of her. They got some out but as usual with newborns it took time for the idea of suckling to sink into their little brains and the time meant that it was drying up fast within their dead mum.
An hour later the pups went home, it was a bitter sweet moment we saved 6 lost 1. By the time the pups left the building medical prep was shining and clean. No signs of the life gained and lost that had happened such a short time before.
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Life up to Date
Garr fighting off another bought of bad throat and high temperature. Thank goodness for throat lozanges. My idiot Dr who, after a lot of abuse from friends and family l visited about 3 weeks ago as l was getting over last 2 month session, said in one breath. "Well it could be a low grade virus you can not shake due to stress. (You don't say!) BUT as you tested negative for a hiatus hernia 10 years ago l am going to treat you for acid reflux here is a script for omipramizole (strong antacids)
I have come to the conclusion my idiot Dr thinks "If it looks like a horse, and sounds like a horse, it must be a lion eating a tomato"
I am looking for a new Dr l can not handle the total cretin l have any more. He and his partner are worse than useless.
On the subject of medicals l have the meeting re scheduled for 17th May with the local nhs over the complaint for my dads discharge in January. They cancelled the last one as some head of nursing who "Just has to be there" was ill.
We had a letter through asking if we wanted to opt out of all our data going onto the nhs computer. I thought that the computer had been cancelled? Anyhow l filled in the don't put us on it part.
I was getting excited as up to now we have had no paper work through the door about the election but nulab spoiled it yesterday when l got home. There was a "thing" through the door. All the more reason not to vote for them they spoilt my no info yet boast.
Anyway l can not see who is worth voting for they are all as corrupt and scummy as each other so l will vote because of the suffragettes, but l will spoil my paper as A) This area is so solidly labour over 3/4 of the residents who normally vote would need to fail to turn out to make a difference B) I hate all politicians as being corrupt, insipid, self serving clones made out of some spoiled dough. I was hoping that a hung parliament means 300+ politicians hanging by their throats from parliament rafters. I am assured though it doesn't mean that, still l can but dream.
I have a long stretch of nights from Friday 8x 22:00-08:00 on the trot. I am hoping that they are fairly quiet.
I did 2x 17:30-03:30 over the weekend and the nights were manic. It felt like every animal in the area seemed to decide to become ill, get hit by a car or get bitten by another one.
Had a dog in with a tracheotomy tube. What a sweetie to treat, he would sit and lift his head to have his tube cleaned and suctioned every 2hours, l wish more patients were as cooperative.
One of the regular night vets is on holiday so a day vet covered. He has a worse memory than l do which was great as l am usually the bad memory person. He is having a "Come dine with me" night with the staff l was going to go, but, l think as it will be my first night off after my 8 night marathon, l won't make it.
Have been on days yesterday and today at a different vets. One of my semi regulars. It is novel working the whole shift in daylight and ending at 19:00 like regular vet staff. Going to be busy today though as we have a load of ops, l am sole nurse from midday and apart from ops and cleaning post op (theatre, kits, general prep area)and putting away the order l also have quite a few nurse appointments to do as well as all the discharges as patients recover.
Just hope the purified water gets there this morning for the autoclave or several ops will be cancelled. Someone forgot to order any last week but l think l got the phone order through in time to the supplier. If it all goes "tits up" it won't be my problem thought. The joys of being a locum cover, we have to have some perks.
Hub has been away since thursday last week. Langer have had a big skydiving meeting. He lead the SOS (Skydivers Over Sixty) attempt on a UK record over the weekend. They managed a quick 9 way but did not declare it as no one was happy with it. For goodness sake l give up. They got a 9 way, they got a UK record, every jumper was a brit and well over 60 but nope.. they weren't happy. I think the SOS stands for Senile Old Sods or Stupid Old Sods. Later on the Saturday they tried for an 11 way but it wasn't to be.
He is home tonight to do paperwork and l have made the big decision to go into town tomorrow and get an iphone 3gs. I have been dithering since February over that or Blackberry Bold but decision made (l think)
Oh well off to work this getting up in the morning for work is a very novel feeling. I can stand it occasionally but not regular.
I have come to the conclusion my idiot Dr thinks "If it looks like a horse, and sounds like a horse, it must be a lion eating a tomato"
I am looking for a new Dr l can not handle the total cretin l have any more. He and his partner are worse than useless.
On the subject of medicals l have the meeting re scheduled for 17th May with the local nhs over the complaint for my dads discharge in January. They cancelled the last one as some head of nursing who "Just has to be there" was ill.
We had a letter through asking if we wanted to opt out of all our data going onto the nhs computer. I thought that the computer had been cancelled? Anyhow l filled in the don't put us on it part.
I was getting excited as up to now we have had no paper work through the door about the election but nulab spoiled it yesterday when l got home. There was a "thing" through the door. All the more reason not to vote for them they spoilt my no info yet boast.
Anyway l can not see who is worth voting for they are all as corrupt and scummy as each other so l will vote because of the suffragettes, but l will spoil my paper as A) This area is so solidly labour over 3/4 of the residents who normally vote would need to fail to turn out to make a difference B) I hate all politicians as being corrupt, insipid, self serving clones made out of some spoiled dough. I was hoping that a hung parliament means 300+ politicians hanging by their throats from parliament rafters. I am assured though it doesn't mean that, still l can but dream.
I have a long stretch of nights from Friday 8x 22:00-08:00 on the trot. I am hoping that they are fairly quiet.
I did 2x 17:30-03:30 over the weekend and the nights were manic. It felt like every animal in the area seemed to decide to become ill, get hit by a car or get bitten by another one.
Had a dog in with a tracheotomy tube. What a sweetie to treat, he would sit and lift his head to have his tube cleaned and suctioned every 2hours, l wish more patients were as cooperative.
One of the regular night vets is on holiday so a day vet covered. He has a worse memory than l do which was great as l am usually the bad memory person. He is having a "Come dine with me" night with the staff l was going to go, but, l think as it will be my first night off after my 8 night marathon, l won't make it.
Have been on days yesterday and today at a different vets. One of my semi regulars. It is novel working the whole shift in daylight and ending at 19:00 like regular vet staff. Going to be busy today though as we have a load of ops, l am sole nurse from midday and apart from ops and cleaning post op (theatre, kits, general prep area)and putting away the order l also have quite a few nurse appointments to do as well as all the discharges as patients recover.
Just hope the purified water gets there this morning for the autoclave or several ops will be cancelled. Someone forgot to order any last week but l think l got the phone order through in time to the supplier. If it all goes "tits up" it won't be my problem thought. The joys of being a locum cover, we have to have some perks.
Hub has been away since thursday last week. Langer have had a big skydiving meeting. He lead the SOS (Skydivers Over Sixty) attempt on a UK record over the weekend. They managed a quick 9 way but did not declare it as no one was happy with it. For goodness sake l give up. They got a 9 way, they got a UK record, every jumper was a brit and well over 60 but nope.. they weren't happy. I think the SOS stands for Senile Old Sods or Stupid Old Sods. Later on the Saturday they tried for an 11 way but it wasn't to be.
He is home tonight to do paperwork and l have made the big decision to go into town tomorrow and get an iphone 3gs. I have been dithering since February over that or Blackberry Bold but decision made (l think)
Oh well off to work this getting up in the morning for work is a very novel feeling. I can stand it occasionally but not regular.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Fire
We were discussing the best way to deal with the large dog recovering in critical care, he was to big to fit comfortably in the kennel and should we put him on the mattress when he had a reputation for a bit of a bad temper when the fire alarm went off.
I mumbled “Who is making toast can’t they do it without burning it”
An auxiliary said nervously it isn’t Wednesday test day what’s happening. True to form we all ignored it. The phone went, for a change someone was free enough to answer it instead of all of us swearing at it. They put the phone down and said "It isn’t a drill we have a fire in reception we have to evacuate…and leave the animals bags and everything".
This was what everyone who works with animals dreads. In human hospitals they evacuate patients in animal ones they leave them. Small surgeries maybe they could grab the patients as they often only have a couple but we have to many. If we started to collect them we would get side tracked and it could end up a disaster. I grabbed my bag which was on the side. A vet ran into dog kennels and brought out her dog and we all walked out. Praying like hell that it wouldn’t spread, the fire doors would hold long enough if it did and that the fire brigade would get the hell there FAST. The building is huge and with luck it would be confined to the reception.
I was one of the last out and as l came out some one said “oh you will know”
I looked up. “huh?”
The question was continued “Who was on duty are we all out?”
“How the hell should l know we are mid change over some have gone all l know is we have no new ones in as we are heading to evening shift”
I looked at the door worrying and made a decision. Walking over to the head vet l said.
“The oxygen is turned on if it spreads and hits those pipes it will feed it l am going back in to turn the oxygen off at the taps is that ok”
“Yes ok” Had l been told no l would have hesitated but l was given a green light.
So l broke every rule in the book and hoped that l would not risk some fireman’s life if it went sour but l was worried about those oxygen lines.
I went back in the lights were out and the oxygen room was black a pitch. I turned all 4 cylinders off and then got the hell out of there. Smoke was filling the space and my heart rate went up by about 300 however l just walked calmly out and back to the car park.
Once out there l stood with the others a couple of minutes then realised we still had the cars parked in the way. Mine was by the building, l got mine calling to folks to get them shifted as they would need the space for the tenders. A couple couldn’t be moved as keys were still inside the building.
Some people were turning up for appointments but were stopped. A couple of owners had turned up and were understandably upset about the animals being left in, it was not what we wanted either.
What we really needed was the fire brigade. I know time stretches but they were taking a hell of a long time. Pops and bangs and flashes were coming out of reception and fuse boxes and smoke was snaking up through the roof. Occasional sirens could be heard but none that sounded like they were getting closer and heading to help us they just faded away.
Finally the long awaited sound reached us and grew steadily. Number 1 engine arrived followed closely by number 2. Anyone who says the police take a long time has not waited outside a burning vet’s with animals inside waiting for the fire brigade it is not just a long time it is eons.
The guys headed into the building and as they seemed to be relaxed about everything l decided that things were under control and l wanted some photos. I moved closer to them snapping.
The rabble (workmates) were worried and yelling at me about what was l doing and to get back. As usual l ignored them and just moved closer. If l was a problem l had no doubt the men in helmets would let me know. The rabble behind could chorus all they wanted. Knowing me of old the shouts died down to mutterings. I ended up leaning against the entrance railing it was obvious it was safe there.
The fire alarm was still screaming away and l ended up having to nip across the car park at a helmeted men’s request to get the bosses to find someone who knew the code. Bloody thing was giving everyone a head ache.
As it all seemed to be under control after about 15 minutes l asked if l could get back in to check animals. This was granted; at this point the vet with the recovering big dog came over and asked if he could go back in as well. We borrowed a flashlight from the helmeted men and went into the building while they continued checking all over the 2 floors for anything that had spread. I assume as we were allowed back in though they were not too concerned. I think everyone else was held back though.
The electric was out and emergency generator had not cut in so it was pitch black as there are no windows. We went to critical care ward the recovering dog was lying by the door and like an elephant to shift, he just couldn’t see any reason to shift just cause we wanted him to but eventually got the message. I shone the torch round and we did a check on the patients then l left the vet in critical ward in the dark and did a round of all other patients, most were having a sleep and no animals were stressed by the smell of smoke.
After about 10minutes the emergency lights came on and the rest of the staff filtered in. Kennels with cats and some critical animals were pushed out of the building. Other cats were placed in cat carriers. Larger dogs were walked out by firemen who were briefed on how to walk a dog while holding a drip bag.
I wish l had got the picture of the day. A big fireman carrying a small bulldog puppy out like a baby looking down and cooing to him, the bulldog looking up at him wondering who the heck had the cheek to wake him up even if it was for a nice cuddle. He had been fast asleep when l checked him oblivious of the drama going on around him.
Once all the animals were out we started to collect all we would need to decamp for an unknown time to a branch surgery. A couple of owners collected their pets that were discharged in the car park. The collection van ferried those inpatients that were to stay in to the branch. It also ran equipment, drugs, drips, kits, bedding, animal food and anything else we could think of.
By 19:00 we were settling into a cramped space in the new building and the patients who were staying in were settled into new kennels. Several new emergencies arrived they needed minor ops and these were done asap and collected the same night to keep kennels and rooms free for major emergencies as we were so limited. 2 Consult rooms had to be pressed into use as walk in kennels for big dogs.
One charity client who was rang to collect their dog said “We’ll do it tomorrow we are holding a party” and turned their phone off. This left us fuming as the op had been done with agreement they would come as soon as called, that was the only unpleasant marring though.
We spent 2 nights at the branch. On the Friday l went over to the main surgery as we were sick of sending requests and getting a bit of what we wanted. I rolled in to a picnic taking place. ¾ of the staff were there tiding the building up and taking advantage to give it all a deep clean. My mission went on hold while l ate 2 HUGE pieces of pizza and felt ill l never learn eyes and stomach!!
The electricians managed to get us a big generator and patched through so we could move “home”. The main incoming cable needs replacing and the fuse board has been rebuilt. So for the foreseeable future it is generator goodness knows when UU will get their act in gear to get the main incoming supply sorted but l understand it is a fairly major job.
Work got us a choice of a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates as a thank you. It may not seem like a lot but it was great that we had been remembered, the old boss (now retired) would not have done anything as a thank you.
I mumbled “Who is making toast can’t they do it without burning it”
An auxiliary said nervously it isn’t Wednesday test day what’s happening. True to form we all ignored it. The phone went, for a change someone was free enough to answer it instead of all of us swearing at it. They put the phone down and said "It isn’t a drill we have a fire in reception we have to evacuate…and leave the animals bags and everything".
This was what everyone who works with animals dreads. In human hospitals they evacuate patients in animal ones they leave them. Small surgeries maybe they could grab the patients as they often only have a couple but we have to many. If we started to collect them we would get side tracked and it could end up a disaster. I grabbed my bag which was on the side. A vet ran into dog kennels and brought out her dog and we all walked out. Praying like hell that it wouldn’t spread, the fire doors would hold long enough if it did and that the fire brigade would get the hell there FAST. The building is huge and with luck it would be confined to the reception.
I was one of the last out and as l came out some one said “oh you will know”
I looked up. “huh?”
The question was continued “Who was on duty are we all out?”
“How the hell should l know we are mid change over some have gone all l know is we have no new ones in as we are heading to evening shift”
I looked at the door worrying and made a decision. Walking over to the head vet l said.
“The oxygen is turned on if it spreads and hits those pipes it will feed it l am going back in to turn the oxygen off at the taps is that ok”
“Yes ok” Had l been told no l would have hesitated but l was given a green light.
So l broke every rule in the book and hoped that l would not risk some fireman’s life if it went sour but l was worried about those oxygen lines.
I went back in the lights were out and the oxygen room was black a pitch. I turned all 4 cylinders off and then got the hell out of there. Smoke was filling the space and my heart rate went up by about 300 however l just walked calmly out and back to the car park.
Once out there l stood with the others a couple of minutes then realised we still had the cars parked in the way. Mine was by the building, l got mine calling to folks to get them shifted as they would need the space for the tenders. A couple couldn’t be moved as keys were still inside the building.
Some people were turning up for appointments but were stopped. A couple of owners had turned up and were understandably upset about the animals being left in, it was not what we wanted either.
What we really needed was the fire brigade. I know time stretches but they were taking a hell of a long time. Pops and bangs and flashes were coming out of reception and fuse boxes and smoke was snaking up through the roof. Occasional sirens could be heard but none that sounded like they were getting closer and heading to help us they just faded away.
Finally the long awaited sound reached us and grew steadily. Number 1 engine arrived followed closely by number 2. Anyone who says the police take a long time has not waited outside a burning vet’s with animals inside waiting for the fire brigade it is not just a long time it is eons.
The guys headed into the building and as they seemed to be relaxed about everything l decided that things were under control and l wanted some photos. I moved closer to them snapping.
The rabble (workmates) were worried and yelling at me about what was l doing and to get back. As usual l ignored them and just moved closer. If l was a problem l had no doubt the men in helmets would let me know. The rabble behind could chorus all they wanted. Knowing me of old the shouts died down to mutterings. I ended up leaning against the entrance railing it was obvious it was safe there.
The fire alarm was still screaming away and l ended up having to nip across the car park at a helmeted men’s request to get the bosses to find someone who knew the code. Bloody thing was giving everyone a head ache.
As it all seemed to be under control after about 15 minutes l asked if l could get back in to check animals. This was granted; at this point the vet with the recovering big dog came over and asked if he could go back in as well. We borrowed a flashlight from the helmeted men and went into the building while they continued checking all over the 2 floors for anything that had spread. I assume as we were allowed back in though they were not too concerned. I think everyone else was held back though.
The electric was out and emergency generator had not cut in so it was pitch black as there are no windows. We went to critical care ward the recovering dog was lying by the door and like an elephant to shift, he just couldn’t see any reason to shift just cause we wanted him to but eventually got the message. I shone the torch round and we did a check on the patients then l left the vet in critical ward in the dark and did a round of all other patients, most were having a sleep and no animals were stressed by the smell of smoke.
After about 10minutes the emergency lights came on and the rest of the staff filtered in. Kennels with cats and some critical animals were pushed out of the building. Other cats were placed in cat carriers. Larger dogs were walked out by firemen who were briefed on how to walk a dog while holding a drip bag.
I wish l had got the picture of the day. A big fireman carrying a small bulldog puppy out like a baby looking down and cooing to him, the bulldog looking up at him wondering who the heck had the cheek to wake him up even if it was for a nice cuddle. He had been fast asleep when l checked him oblivious of the drama going on around him.
Once all the animals were out we started to collect all we would need to decamp for an unknown time to a branch surgery. A couple of owners collected their pets that were discharged in the car park. The collection van ferried those inpatients that were to stay in to the branch. It also ran equipment, drugs, drips, kits, bedding, animal food and anything else we could think of.
By 19:00 we were settling into a cramped space in the new building and the patients who were staying in were settled into new kennels. Several new emergencies arrived they needed minor ops and these were done asap and collected the same night to keep kennels and rooms free for major emergencies as we were so limited. 2 Consult rooms had to be pressed into use as walk in kennels for big dogs.
One charity client who was rang to collect their dog said “We’ll do it tomorrow we are holding a party” and turned their phone off. This left us fuming as the op had been done with agreement they would come as soon as called, that was the only unpleasant marring though.
We spent 2 nights at the branch. On the Friday l went over to the main surgery as we were sick of sending requests and getting a bit of what we wanted. I rolled in to a picnic taking place. ¾ of the staff were there tiding the building up and taking advantage to give it all a deep clean. My mission went on hold while l ate 2 HUGE pieces of pizza and felt ill l never learn eyes and stomach!!
The electricians managed to get us a big generator and patched through so we could move “home”. The main incoming cable needs replacing and the fuse board has been rebuilt. So for the foreseeable future it is generator goodness knows when UU will get their act in gear to get the main incoming supply sorted but l understand it is a fairly major job.
Work got us a choice of a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates as a thank you. It may not seem like a lot but it was great that we had been remembered, the old boss (now retired) would not have done anything as a thank you.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Re-evaluate Relationships
At times it helps to re-evaluate relationships so here are 3 re-evaluations l have been involved in lately:
*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*
The other night the vet who l had always thought was a friend said.
“You know if you are still coughing as badly tomorrow night l am going to give you a jab of Convenia (long term antibiotic)”
“Ohh will it help me stop coughing and sort me out”
“Nope it give me a chance to hurt you as much as your coughing has hurt my ears”
WHHHHaaaaa and here is me thinking he is a friend. I aimed a kick at a tender part of his anatomy but he was ready and jumped back.
“What’s up” was his reply “l could have said l would use stingulox (Synulox) on a daily basis”…at this point he ran up the passage while l plotted revenge.
*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*
Dealing with a 50kg English Bull Mastiff who was lying in the walk in kennel on her doubled over duvet. She was to comfy to stand up and pulling just got her snuggling down harder so l was lying down trying to listen to her heart with my scope. Forget feeling pulses she was to fat.
As l was counting the beats a deep rumbling growl started in her belly and rose up her chest. I lifted my eyes slowly to her face which was lifting a lip up some very very big teeth, well they looked big when l was lying on the floor. My brain worked at 900miles an hour to work out how to grab her mouth shut, pin her down and get out of the deep pile of dodo l was in.
Thankfully she was staring intently at the door crack and a dog that was being walked past the door and not looking at me. I slowly moved my hand to her neck to push down and moved back. Once the dog passed out of her sight she settled down and went back to being a softy.
My heart took some time to settle back into something resembling calm and collected.
*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*
I am not a shar-pei person, placing them with a lot of breeds that should not be allowed. Leaving aside temperament (awful) they are a walking health hazard and l object to animals being bred with health problems that cause them a life of pain because people ‘like’ the breed. If they liked it they wouldn’t allow it to be bred with the problems it has.
However we have had a young one about 5months old in at work. She is very sweet. Not enough for me to like the breed overall but enough that she is getting to be a pest if l walk past and do not stop to give her a cuddle every time.
*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*
The other night the vet who l had always thought was a friend said.
“You know if you are still coughing as badly tomorrow night l am going to give you a jab of Convenia (long term antibiotic)”
“Ohh will it help me stop coughing and sort me out”
“Nope it give me a chance to hurt you as much as your coughing has hurt my ears”
WHHHHaaaaa and here is me thinking he is a friend. I aimed a kick at a tender part of his anatomy but he was ready and jumped back.
“What’s up” was his reply “l could have said l would use stingulox (Synulox) on a daily basis”…at this point he ran up the passage while l plotted revenge.
*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*
Dealing with a 50kg English Bull Mastiff who was lying in the walk in kennel on her doubled over duvet. She was to comfy to stand up and pulling just got her snuggling down harder so l was lying down trying to listen to her heart with my scope. Forget feeling pulses she was to fat.
As l was counting the beats a deep rumbling growl started in her belly and rose up her chest. I lifted my eyes slowly to her face which was lifting a lip up some very very big teeth, well they looked big when l was lying on the floor. My brain worked at 900miles an hour to work out how to grab her mouth shut, pin her down and get out of the deep pile of dodo l was in.
Thankfully she was staring intently at the door crack and a dog that was being walked past the door and not looking at me. I slowly moved my hand to her neck to push down and moved back. Once the dog passed out of her sight she settled down and went back to being a softy.
My heart took some time to settle back into something resembling calm and collected.
*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*
I am not a shar-pei person, placing them with a lot of breeds that should not be allowed. Leaving aside temperament (awful) they are a walking health hazard and l object to animals being bred with health problems that cause them a life of pain because people ‘like’ the breed. If they liked it they wouldn’t allow it to be bred with the problems it has.
However we have had a young one about 5months old in at work. She is very sweet. Not enough for me to like the breed overall but enough that she is getting to be a pest if l walk past and do not stop to give her a cuddle every time.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Life's Ripples
I thought it about time l return to bloger land. Update everyone about things and get reading all the blogs l enjoy but have let lapse over the last 2 or 3 months.
My dad’s funeral was on Friday and l have to say the funeral home made it go very smoothly and have been excellent. It turns out they have a tie in to the co-op group. We get free legal aid but when the legal department rang me l had done all that was needed so far. A big relief l now know l have done the correct things just a few jobs left l asked about but those were also confirmed as right. Thank fully because all was in joint names l do not need probate, that was so far my biggest worry.
It was nice to see the family and some of their youngsters who l haven’t seen for years. Boy the small “kids” have grown!.
I gave a eulogy at the funeral and managed to hold it together although l nearly broke down a couple of times. Thankfully there was a mic there I have yet another bad cough and lost/husky voice, a flare up of my before xmas problem.
2 Days after my dad passed another special friend Adrian died. It was to be his 65th birthday on the Saturday and he was a very special person. He had a massive heart attack. Speaking to his wife he also had a horrendous time in hospital. I am not sure if she will take or further.
I have had a letter back from the hospital in sympathy for my dads passing and if l prefer to have the complaints results in writing they understand. If l want a meeting with some deputy head of nursing let them know. I want the meeting and have told them l will let them have some dates.
Work was hard going during January and February l was on the 22-08 shift while a new nurse was found and employed. I was only getting 2 to 3 hours sleep day or night l think through stress. That let this blasted cough hammer me again. I have been doing 13:-23 shifts last week, problem was l did not have a meal all week just a sandwich and bag of crisps each night instead which didn’t help my on board reserves so am feeling even more drained.
I am doing nights this weekend and then a week off and then 13:-23 shifts for the foreseeable future while another new nurse is found. The present one is off to the “dark side” as we call nhs nursing.
It has been a mixed bag at work. The normal amount of dangerous dogs spending the night before going off to kennels, some very sweet others totally evil. The usual misconception that big is nasty and breed specific, when all too often the small and/or other breeds can be just as bad.
The government are on in lala land trying to make everyone have insurance for their dogs. Get the animals, neutered, get trained dogs AND owners and then worry about insurance.
Problems come in batches and we seem to have had lots of epileptic dogs in the last couple of weeks. Before that we have had the diabetic animal batch. And as always the RTA cats come in. Petplan estimated that a cat was hit in the UK by a car every 2minutes. Judging by the amount we have in via one small corner of UK that may not be a high enough figure.
Nearly got myself clawed badly by a cat on Thursday, l was holding for the heart referral specialist to scan. The cat came out of his sedation unbeknown to us as the lights were off…ok and we were chatting which was interesting as both of us have bad coughs and throats. All was well until l stretched my one arm in the air, the arm that had not even been holding the blasted cat.
The cat decided to go nuts on a ketamine bender. I managed to pin it so that MH could get more sedation in it’s iv catheter before the cat ate us both. Of course this happened 5 minutes before we finished so the cat slept another 40 mins more than it needed to had it just stayed relaxed.
Cat’s own fault he had to wait an extra couple of hours for his chicken. Something he loves and was already angry at having missed a couple of good meals of during the day as we k new he would be sedated.
I organised the night staff “post xmas” bash, after a complaint was put in that turning down night staff for a 4.99/head xmas meal was tight to say the least considering it is a dedicated night staff who only work unsocial hours a change of heart was had. As l live down the road from the pub l said l would do it. Was not to bad 16 managed to arrange to come. The one that h/o cancelled before xmas had 21 but a couple of staff had left and others were unable to come for various reasons.
I have worked at a couple of other “normal” day vets which has been nice, seeing life during the day, doing nurse clinics and home sensible hours. Having said that l still enjoy the locum work and do not want to go back to set shifts, asking for time off and the general dog eat dog work of a set routine. No matter how much l may moan about work.
I went mad and bought 14 books off Amazon ¾ of a series of books l have been reading. Not ordered books off Amazon before and was pleasantly surprised all arrived even the ones from Germany and US, they got to me quicker than the uk ones.
I held off getting the books in the l have read will get those soon and a couple are just out so still very expensive. Brilliant writer she writes a lot of different supernatural books. These are sort of vampire based the series called the Dark series by Christine Feehan
Her one book Dark Celebration is set at Christmas and as a treat has 40pages of chocolate deserts at the end of it that people have sent in. I wish l could cook instead l sit and drool looking at them.
My dad’s funeral was on Friday and l have to say the funeral home made it go very smoothly and have been excellent. It turns out they have a tie in to the co-op group. We get free legal aid but when the legal department rang me l had done all that was needed so far. A big relief l now know l have done the correct things just a few jobs left l asked about but those were also confirmed as right. Thank fully because all was in joint names l do not need probate, that was so far my biggest worry.
It was nice to see the family and some of their youngsters who l haven’t seen for years. Boy the small “kids” have grown!.
I gave a eulogy at the funeral and managed to hold it together although l nearly broke down a couple of times. Thankfully there was a mic there I have yet another bad cough and lost/husky voice, a flare up of my before xmas problem.
2 Days after my dad passed another special friend Adrian died. It was to be his 65th birthday on the Saturday and he was a very special person. He had a massive heart attack. Speaking to his wife he also had a horrendous time in hospital. I am not sure if she will take or further.
I have had a letter back from the hospital in sympathy for my dads passing and if l prefer to have the complaints results in writing they understand. If l want a meeting with some deputy head of nursing let them know. I want the meeting and have told them l will let them have some dates.
Work was hard going during January and February l was on the 22-08 shift while a new nurse was found and employed. I was only getting 2 to 3 hours sleep day or night l think through stress. That let this blasted cough hammer me again. I have been doing 13:-23 shifts last week, problem was l did not have a meal all week just a sandwich and bag of crisps each night instead which didn’t help my on board reserves so am feeling even more drained.
I am doing nights this weekend and then a week off and then 13:-23 shifts for the foreseeable future while another new nurse is found. The present one is off to the “dark side” as we call nhs nursing.
It has been a mixed bag at work. The normal amount of dangerous dogs spending the night before going off to kennels, some very sweet others totally evil. The usual misconception that big is nasty and breed specific, when all too often the small and/or other breeds can be just as bad.
The government are on in lala land trying to make everyone have insurance for their dogs. Get the animals, neutered, get trained dogs AND owners and then worry about insurance.
Problems come in batches and we seem to have had lots of epileptic dogs in the last couple of weeks. Before that we have had the diabetic animal batch. And as always the RTA cats come in. Petplan estimated that a cat was hit in the UK by a car every 2minutes. Judging by the amount we have in via one small corner of UK that may not be a high enough figure.
Nearly got myself clawed badly by a cat on Thursday, l was holding for the heart referral specialist to scan. The cat came out of his sedation unbeknown to us as the lights were off…ok and we were chatting which was interesting as both of us have bad coughs and throats. All was well until l stretched my one arm in the air, the arm that had not even been holding the blasted cat.
The cat decided to go nuts on a ketamine bender. I managed to pin it so that MH could get more sedation in it’s iv catheter before the cat ate us both. Of course this happened 5 minutes before we finished so the cat slept another 40 mins more than it needed to had it just stayed relaxed.
Cat’s own fault he had to wait an extra couple of hours for his chicken. Something he loves and was already angry at having missed a couple of good meals of during the day as we k new he would be sedated.
I organised the night staff “post xmas” bash, after a complaint was put in that turning down night staff for a 4.99/head xmas meal was tight to say the least considering it is a dedicated night staff who only work unsocial hours a change of heart was had. As l live down the road from the pub l said l would do it. Was not to bad 16 managed to arrange to come. The one that h/o cancelled before xmas had 21 but a couple of staff had left and others were unable to come for various reasons.
I have worked at a couple of other “normal” day vets which has been nice, seeing life during the day, doing nurse clinics and home sensible hours. Having said that l still enjoy the locum work and do not want to go back to set shifts, asking for time off and the general dog eat dog work of a set routine. No matter how much l may moan about work.
I went mad and bought 14 books off Amazon ¾ of a series of books l have been reading. Not ordered books off Amazon before and was pleasantly surprised all arrived even the ones from Germany and US, they got to me quicker than the uk ones.
I held off getting the books in the l have read will get those soon and a couple are just out so still very expensive. Brilliant writer she writes a lot of different supernatural books. These are sort of vampire based the series called the Dark series by Christine Feehan
Her one book Dark Celebration is set at Christmas and as a treat has 40pages of chocolate deserts at the end of it that people have sent in. I wish l could cook instead l sit and drool looking at them.
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Grumble
I know l have grumbled on this before but especially in the run up to Christmas and just after the following calls increase 10 fold.
Ringing up and telling me that you have bought 1, 2 3 or 4+ pedigree puppies or kittens (or even non pedigrees) and want them vaccinated is fine and sounds responsible. The vaccination part, not the fact you have multiple animals.
Telling me that you are on benefits and expect to have everything done cheap or free will get you a polite reply (because l have to be polite) but it will not get you free or reduced rates. I will go to very formal tell you to go and call a charity not a private practice. If you start whining on about how much money vets make out of poor people who have nothing, or that it is not convenient to go all the way to the charity practice l will put the phone down on you.
With all your benefits you are often making more than a lot of student veterinary nurses and some qualified nurses.
You want a pet then you pay for it, do not expect everyone else to. Quite frankly if that is your attitude then the chances are the animal is better off being put down because when it needs a vet because it is ill you will avoid paying for it unless it is free and it is likely to become another cruelty statistic.
Telling me that your dog/cat needs a booster, you have become unemployed, are disabled or something has gone genuinely wrong with your life. I will do my best to help you out.
Genuine cases l am only to happy to help but scroungers beware, everyone is sick to death of you "gimme gimme" take take take behaviour.
I said it before and l will say it again:
A Human does not have the right to an animal, but an animal has a right to a responsible human.
(Sorry am now off my soapbox)
Ringing up and telling me that you have bought 1, 2 3 or 4+ pedigree puppies or kittens (or even non pedigrees) and want them vaccinated is fine and sounds responsible. The vaccination part, not the fact you have multiple animals.
Telling me that you are on benefits and expect to have everything done cheap or free will get you a polite reply (because l have to be polite) but it will not get you free or reduced rates. I will go to very formal tell you to go and call a charity not a private practice. If you start whining on about how much money vets make out of poor people who have nothing, or that it is not convenient to go all the way to the charity practice l will put the phone down on you.
With all your benefits you are often making more than a lot of student veterinary nurses and some qualified nurses.
You want a pet then you pay for it, do not expect everyone else to. Quite frankly if that is your attitude then the chances are the animal is better off being put down because when it needs a vet because it is ill you will avoid paying for it unless it is free and it is likely to become another cruelty statistic.
Telling me that your dog/cat needs a booster, you have become unemployed, are disabled or something has gone genuinely wrong with your life. I will do my best to help you out.
Genuine cases l am only to happy to help but scroungers beware, everyone is sick to death of you "gimme gimme" take take take behaviour.
I said it before and l will say it again:
A Human does not have the right to an animal, but an animal has a right to a responsible human.
(Sorry am now off my soapbox)
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Trouble comes in 3s
Another week another practice. Actually l am at this one for a few weeks with side trips for nights to my old emergency work and a prebooked couple of days at Christmas at a different vets. Love it here for the friendliness. The vets make coffee, something that's very rare. And the SVN is always shoving a plate of cheese, ham pineapple toasties or sweets or something into everyone's hands. And the others bring in all sorts of titbits.
Friday l walked into prep sniffing burning. The other nurse was pulling the door open on the tumble dryer coughing and l went to help her try work out what was wrong (other than the fact the tumble dryer wanted to go terminal). While l emptied the fluff catcher she found a load under it that had fallen through.
A good clean and l went off to finish setting up op theatre while she restarted the dryer. I walked back into prep a couple of minutes later to find it somewhat transformed. It was now a swirling fog of smoke. Coughing l yanked the plug out of the wall, the tumble dryer door had already been opened.
We stared at the machine mindful of the old saying.. there is no smoke without fire. Thankfully this situation disproved the saying.
Upshot is that they will need to get a new tumble dryer and the radiators are doing sterling work.
Yesterday l unpacked the drugs order and having lent my scissors out had to use my biro to rip open the tape on the boxes. It worked fine, l had about 3 boxes and it was just tape. I am sure everyone has done the same at some point.
Half an hour later a wet, blue flash on my arm caught my eye. The nib had fallen off and my pocket was flooded. And ever time l moved l was being covered. I carefully surgical spirited my arm to remove the blue and went on the look out for something to put on so my tunic could go in the wash.
Last week l had thought about putting some scrubs in the car "just in case" note the term thought about.
All l could find in the practice for me was a blue scrub top (Nurses wear green and vets blue) tough it would do. Apart from the fact l was squeezed tight and had to be careful about movements as l think it would have ripped if l moved to fast.
General hilarity at my new fashion mode greeted me.
Problem 3 was more disgusting. I have every so often the last few days had the odd bad whiff around my handbag. I should clarify l have a haversack not a standard handbag. I had a look inside but could see nothing. With my work l figure some cat or dog anal glands had misfired and some had zapped it, hazards of the job.
I was at work early today and sat in the car waiting for the other 8am nurse to turn up as she has the keys. I decided to clean my bag out. The base in the main section wouldn't go flat and l lifted it up.
At some point in the last couple of weeks l had a dim memory of buying a ham and mushroom pastie. This had somehow got shoved under the base and forgotten about. Needless to say my "handbag" has been scrubbed with hot water and various washing substances (fairy liquid, washing powder, hibiscrub) and is now drying at work. My temporary handbag is a plastic bag.
The others find it hysterical and l have faced a barrage of hysteria and comments all day.
Friday l walked into prep sniffing burning. The other nurse was pulling the door open on the tumble dryer coughing and l went to help her try work out what was wrong (other than the fact the tumble dryer wanted to go terminal). While l emptied the fluff catcher she found a load under it that had fallen through.
A good clean and l went off to finish setting up op theatre while she restarted the dryer. I walked back into prep a couple of minutes later to find it somewhat transformed. It was now a swirling fog of smoke. Coughing l yanked the plug out of the wall, the tumble dryer door had already been opened.
We stared at the machine mindful of the old saying.. there is no smoke without fire. Thankfully this situation disproved the saying.
Upshot is that they will need to get a new tumble dryer and the radiators are doing sterling work.
Yesterday l unpacked the drugs order and having lent my scissors out had to use my biro to rip open the tape on the boxes. It worked fine, l had about 3 boxes and it was just tape. I am sure everyone has done the same at some point.
Half an hour later a wet, blue flash on my arm caught my eye. The nib had fallen off and my pocket was flooded. And ever time l moved l was being covered. I carefully surgical spirited my arm to remove the blue and went on the look out for something to put on so my tunic could go in the wash.
Last week l had thought about putting some scrubs in the car "just in case" note the term thought about.
All l could find in the practice for me was a blue scrub top (Nurses wear green and vets blue) tough it would do. Apart from the fact l was squeezed tight and had to be careful about movements as l think it would have ripped if l moved to fast.
General hilarity at my new fashion mode greeted me.
Problem 3 was more disgusting. I have every so often the last few days had the odd bad whiff around my handbag. I should clarify l have a haversack not a standard handbag. I had a look inside but could see nothing. With my work l figure some cat or dog anal glands had misfired and some had zapped it, hazards of the job.
I was at work early today and sat in the car waiting for the other 8am nurse to turn up as she has the keys. I decided to clean my bag out. The base in the main section wouldn't go flat and l lifted it up.
At some point in the last couple of weeks l had a dim memory of buying a ham and mushroom pastie. This had somehow got shoved under the base and forgotten about. Needless to say my "handbag" has been scrubbed with hot water and various washing substances (fairy liquid, washing powder, hibiscrub) and is now drying at work. My temporary handbag is a plastic bag.
The others find it hysterical and l have faced a barrage of hysteria and comments all day.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
New SVN Training (under consultation)
Well it is coming up to all change for the veterinary nursing profession and for the worst. I was going to stay out of it even though on the vetnurse site l go on we were being asked to input our thoughts.
I did ever so well until 22:45 on the 31st of October, consultations closed on 1st Nov. Then l let loose with both barrels. I did say that l doubted they would read my mail as l was sending insults with my comments as l was so angry.
Back towards the end of the 90’s they got rid of what was called the little green book. This training book was thin and easy to use. Had certain tasks that had to be done and no proof of seeing it other than a signature was required.
Then l ended up on the nvq system, on the first lot through l hated it as we all did. It was so badly organised that even the tutors at college did not know what we needed to do. External verifiers changed faster than someone could spit out chewed up bubble gum and all had different ideas. So what one allowed the next wouldn't and that meant more rewrites. With logs and reports and proof about everything.
This has been refined over the years to an over-heavy bit of paperwork and very expensive to run for the practices and has meant a lot of training practices have stopped doing training. The present system needs slimming down, more training practices need to be opened but not like suggested.
Apparently some government funding is ending so now they are throwing baby out with the bathwater and dumbing the whole system down. Of course it is all “consultation stage” yea right and you believe that, most of us (VN's) believe it is a done deal.
I do know that anyone from colleges l have spoken to or who has posted on it on the vet nursing forum l belong to is furious about the changes.
So the new deal will be open to 16year olds, great they are for the most part still very immature and not suitable, certainly for veterinary work.
At the moment students spend time at the practice while they find out if the person is suitable for veterinary nursing. Like all jobs many do not like the reality but even more so in vet nursing.
It has great moments that can make up for the bad for a short time. Over all though is a dirty sad and demanding job. You do a lot of cleaning, you see and help a lot of animals you also help a lot of them die or watch them die as nothing can be done to save them, often for something simple like a new puppy is preferred not the older dog, cruelty to animals is faced daily when you see all the misery that breeders have bred into the species let alone inflicted by bad owners or just random people, bad wages are a big bug, bullying is rife.
The bull on the consultation paper makes out that practices can have new "interns" every year, great you just get someone almost sorted so they can do something and then send them off and a new lot come though.
That practices can have their pick of students. Well actually they can have that now so nothing new there.
That practices won't have to pay students much not even the minimum wage, just a "training allowance". Well that will go down well with some bosses but overall, no pay no reliability or commitment. Wages may be bad now but at least students, are getting something.
At the moment you need to do a minimum number of hours/year in a veterinary practice before you can qualify as a VN that is now being scrapped.
And the really good one. The present system is being scrapped by 2010, the new one needs to be in place by September 2010 intake of students so colleges need to decide how to teach a new not yet designed system in 11 months. Well minus the time to decide what they system will be so call that ohh 4 or 5 months to arrange training.
New deal:
Year 1 - "full time" at college (2 days a week!!) with 25 days in placement made up from 5 days in TP, 5 days in non TP, 5 days in equine practice, 5 days in large animal practice and 5 days in animal based industry such as a pet shop.
I do not know what the difference between a small animal and general is, no one l have asked vet or nurse knows. Then there is the fact that vn’s have nothing to do with large animals generally. Even those that work at a large animal practice very rarely go out with the vets. Many small animal nurses have horses but many more have no contact and have no wish to, they prefer to work in small animal work. As to pet shops, WTF are we meant to learn there?
In 5 days you will only be allowed to mop floors and make coffees. Practices won’t allow untrained people, for the most part kids to do anything else, especially in this day and age when suing is rife.
Year 2 - full time as an employed student at any practice - could be TP or "auxillary" TP. The portfolio will be abolished and the student will have to fill in an online folio, no-one has mentioned if this folio is checked by anyone or if the student does it themselves. There will be no need for assessors or IVs - just mentors and moderators.
Link to the new guidelines
As to rcvs reading my comments, apparently they have sent thank you emails out to people that replied.. Funnily enough l never received one. I am of course devastated at this turn of events, l chose my words so carefully.
I did ever so well until 22:45 on the 31st of October, consultations closed on 1st Nov. Then l let loose with both barrels. I did say that l doubted they would read my mail as l was sending insults with my comments as l was so angry.
Back towards the end of the 90’s they got rid of what was called the little green book. This training book was thin and easy to use. Had certain tasks that had to be done and no proof of seeing it other than a signature was required.
Then l ended up on the nvq system, on the first lot through l hated it as we all did. It was so badly organised that even the tutors at college did not know what we needed to do. External verifiers changed faster than someone could spit out chewed up bubble gum and all had different ideas. So what one allowed the next wouldn't and that meant more rewrites. With logs and reports and proof about everything.
This has been refined over the years to an over-heavy bit of paperwork and very expensive to run for the practices and has meant a lot of training practices have stopped doing training. The present system needs slimming down, more training practices need to be opened but not like suggested.
Apparently some government funding is ending so now they are throwing baby out with the bathwater and dumbing the whole system down. Of course it is all “consultation stage” yea right and you believe that, most of us (VN's) believe it is a done deal.
I do know that anyone from colleges l have spoken to or who has posted on it on the vet nursing forum l belong to is furious about the changes.
So the new deal will be open to 16year olds, great they are for the most part still very immature and not suitable, certainly for veterinary work.
At the moment students spend time at the practice while they find out if the person is suitable for veterinary nursing. Like all jobs many do not like the reality but even more so in vet nursing.
It has great moments that can make up for the bad for a short time. Over all though is a dirty sad and demanding job. You do a lot of cleaning, you see and help a lot of animals you also help a lot of them die or watch them die as nothing can be done to save them, often for something simple like a new puppy is preferred not the older dog, cruelty to animals is faced daily when you see all the misery that breeders have bred into the species let alone inflicted by bad owners or just random people, bad wages are a big bug, bullying is rife.
The bull on the consultation paper makes out that practices can have new "interns" every year, great you just get someone almost sorted so they can do something and then send them off and a new lot come though.
That practices can have their pick of students. Well actually they can have that now so nothing new there.
That practices won't have to pay students much not even the minimum wage, just a "training allowance". Well that will go down well with some bosses but overall, no pay no reliability or commitment. Wages may be bad now but at least students, are getting something.
At the moment you need to do a minimum number of hours/year in a veterinary practice before you can qualify as a VN that is now being scrapped.
And the really good one. The present system is being scrapped by 2010, the new one needs to be in place by September 2010 intake of students so colleges need to decide how to teach a new not yet designed system in 11 months. Well minus the time to decide what they system will be so call that ohh 4 or 5 months to arrange training.
New deal:
Year 1 - "full time" at college (2 days a week!!) with 25 days in placement made up from 5 days in TP, 5 days in non TP, 5 days in equine practice, 5 days in large animal practice and 5 days in animal based industry such as a pet shop.
I do not know what the difference between a small animal and general is, no one l have asked vet or nurse knows. Then there is the fact that vn’s have nothing to do with large animals generally. Even those that work at a large animal practice very rarely go out with the vets. Many small animal nurses have horses but many more have no contact and have no wish to, they prefer to work in small animal work. As to pet shops, WTF are we meant to learn there?
In 5 days you will only be allowed to mop floors and make coffees. Practices won’t allow untrained people, for the most part kids to do anything else, especially in this day and age when suing is rife.
Year 2 - full time as an employed student at any practice - could be TP or "auxillary" TP. The portfolio will be abolished and the student will have to fill in an online folio, no-one has mentioned if this folio is checked by anyone or if the student does it themselves. There will be no need for assessors or IVs - just mentors and moderators.
Link to the new guidelines
As to rcvs reading my comments, apparently they have sent thank you emails out to people that replied.. Funnily enough l never received one. I am of course devastated at this turn of events, l chose my words so carefully.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
I'm Gonna Die!!!!
Siamese, although generally nice cats tend to be neurotic. If they get ill then they know they are going to die. Whether it is a life threatening case or a sore toe. They are full of eastern mysticism and "know" things. This can make them noisy and frustrating as they make sure you know how they are suffering. They are vocal whether lying pathetically on their bed or stalking around the kennel.
The following is a typical but shortened conversation with one. They tend to never shut up.
Siamese ... yowll grrr mmmrrp mrrrppp... (I am going to die)
Me...No you are not, you are just a bit ill.
Siamese (shaking drip leg in air)... Yowwwll grmph yooooowl (I am a siamese l KNOW l am going to die, you are going to embalm me)
Me...No you are not eating and a bit dehydrated that's what the drip is for. (passing a bit of warmed chicken over)
Siamese (muffled as mouth full of chicken)...yowwwlll mpmmph grrrrrmph (You don't know what you are talking about)
Me... If you are going to die you are going on a full belly then
Siamese...mphph (swallow) yowwwllllll yoelll yowll grrr mmmrrp mrrrppp (I tell you l know l am going to die)
Me... Well is it worth wasting food on you if you are going to die?
Siamese (Glaring at food bowl)... Yowwwlllll (Gimme!)
Me... Only if you shut up for 5 min. so l can do your pulse and respiration.
The above Siamese went home the next day, as do so many despite their "I'm gonna die" conviction.
The following is a typical but shortened conversation with one. They tend to never shut up.
Siamese ... yowll grrr mmmrrp mrrrppp... (I am going to die)
Me...No you are not, you are just a bit ill.
Siamese (shaking drip leg in air)... Yowwwll grmph yooooowl (I am a siamese l KNOW l am going to die, you are going to embalm me)
Me...No you are not eating and a bit dehydrated that's what the drip is for. (passing a bit of warmed chicken over)
Siamese (muffled as mouth full of chicken)...yowwwlll mpmmph grrrrrmph (You don't know what you are talking about)
Me... If you are going to die you are going on a full belly then
Siamese...mphph (swallow) yowwwllllll yoelll yowll grrr mmmrrp mrrrppp (I tell you l know l am going to die)
Me... Well is it worth wasting food on you if you are going to die?
Siamese (Glaring at food bowl)... Yowwwlllll (Gimme!)
Me... Only if you shut up for 5 min. so l can do your pulse and respiration.
The above Siamese went home the next day, as do so many despite their "I'm gonna die" conviction.
Friday, 30 October 2009
Sound Bites
I have been at a small practice this week but it is busy. They do a lot of nurse clinics which is great to have the interaction. Generally people are there as they want to listen and ask questions. To many places just have the odd one usually a post op check and it doesn't utilise nurses skills properly.
Where l have been nurses do micro chipping, health checks (dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs hamster, birds), post op checks, geriatric clinics, nail clipping (all above species)2nd(primary) vaccinations, basic behaviour clinics, more complicated they are sent to specialist behaviourists and several other clinics.
It has been my week for injuries though:
Have had both arms attacked with teeth and nails by cats .
Inside of one arm scratched by psycho rabbit.
Back of my hands scratched by nervous guinea pig.
And the best was a retriever that chomped my finger when l reached to its lead to get it out the kennel. There was no warning the teeth just snapped like a shark, my reflexes were a bit slow and it got the base of my finger. Pulling the hand out scored the teeth upwards to the tip. The HN had to under sign my remarks about what happened in the accident book and l said to put down... "Heard nurse swearing loudly about **&%^*& bitch" This was vetoed to just verbally.
Where l have been nurses do micro chipping, health checks (dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs hamster, birds), post op checks, geriatric clinics, nail clipping (all above species)2nd(primary) vaccinations, basic behaviour clinics, more complicated they are sent to specialist behaviourists and several other clinics.
It has been my week for injuries though:
Have had both arms attacked with teeth and nails by cats .
Inside of one arm scratched by psycho rabbit.
Back of my hands scratched by nervous guinea pig.
And the best was a retriever that chomped my finger when l reached to its lead to get it out the kennel. There was no warning the teeth just snapped like a shark, my reflexes were a bit slow and it got the base of my finger. Pulling the hand out scored the teeth upwards to the tip. The HN had to under sign my remarks about what happened in the accident book and l said to put down... "Heard nurse swearing loudly about **&%^*& bitch" This was vetoed to just verbally.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Computers and Chocolate Biscuits
Well l have spent the last 2 weeks at a small practice and we have been wondering if the world, or the town we are in more precisely has gone mad. Every pet in the area seems to have had a need to come in and several times we have had to make appointments with one of the other branches to handle overflow.
Thankfully l was up to speed on the computers as l have been on late’s which end at 19:00 which means once ops and cleaning up is done l am on reception.
Monday l finally have an early finish as l was on mids which was a 9am start.
One of the reception computers was pulled out and looked like a computer version of rip. it had been playing up last week and looks like it finally died over the weekend.
I barely sat down on reception when l had to take the first payment of the day, l was unable to get the cash till open to get change. The computer/till system is meant to work independently so if one dies you do not have this problem, great start to the day. The client said just pop his change (pence only) into the charity box.
I had a word with the head nurse (hn) who was snarling at the back computer while trying to add histories for patients that had been to the emergency vets over the weekend. For payments l suggested we send invoices or ask for cards. She was past caring; l had enough computer problems without caring what was going on with hers.
This left me with a fist full of cash so l shoved it in an empty draw and hoped l would remember which office draw it was, the room is a bit of a tip.
Next minute the vet appears and tells me that her computer won’t print labels; quick test showed no computers would print labels. This meant hand writing labels. Money wise the clients were happy to card it or pop back to pay bills.
A practice rang up and wanted a history for a client that was leaving the area. Guess what won’t print. I read the very short history over the phone and tell them l will send the history at some point in several light years time if any of us survive the day.
The hn stomped through and rang head office told them that the reception computer seemed to have fully died after spending last week crashing all the time, this had caused overall chaos. HO said to ring the computer people they promised they would dial in and fix things. The hn and l did not query how they would do that when one of the computers was turned off at the wall. Life had enough for us to do without caring about some mythical dial in.
Finally the receptionist came in she was on late’s the hn and l fell on her like starving wolves telling of all our woes. The reply was as she knows nothing about computers except what she does what were we telling her for. Miffed and rebuffed the hn and l did what any sensible person would. Ran away down the back and got op’s ready for the vet’s, leaving the receptionist to sort the mess down the front.
Part way through the standard ops of spaying and castration the receptionist came through and said that she had sorted the computers; we must be incompetent as with no knowledge she had them all working.
I pulled the short straw with the dental. I have mentioned before one of the reasons l like nights is we do not have dentals. First get the dental machine working, these are designed by experts who do not use them. The vet cussed her way through tooth extraction, she used to do mixed work (farm animal and small pets). She hated dentals and would always swop a dental with a vet that preferred dentals to farm work and they were both happy.
Anyway the dog had lots of teeth out on both sides and a stitch a gum flap, this was needed to help extract one of the large molars.
At this point the receptionist came through again to dental/prep room. She had coffees and chocolate biscuits. I know l am trying to stop chocolate but l had to have a couple of biscuits as a stress aid. Apparently the vet from one of the other branches that was in charge of the computers was round and sorting things, l never got a chance to ask why? As she said she had fixed them.
Recovering post munch of biscuit and quick coffee hit, l took over again from the vet who was glaring at the dogs mouth, daring anything else to be wrong as she felt her part was finished and keeping an eye on the patient. The vet went to get her recovery aid and write the patient up.
I started to clean the teeth and the tooth scaler died. Water bottle full… check. Machine switched on… check. All knobs seem to be in right place…check. Dental machine kicked hard… check, nothing so look for hn. She is new and not used to the machine so repeats what l did to same effect. Then she had an idea and said hang on there is 2 bottles try and fill the other one. I did and it worked. Now what is the use of having a back up water bottle if both of them have to be full to work but the machine only takes water from one bottle at a time. To the normal mind when one bottle is empty you flick to the other and when that is empty THEN the machine stops. No not this devil you need both full even though one is back up and not in use.
Turn patient over and start to scale that side. “Errrrrmm” clear my throat trying to think how not to make the vet want to run away. Vet looks at my face and you can see her heart sinking, then perk up “Have you done something wrong”.
“Gee thanks for that, no but you need to do something with this canine”. Her face fell. I continued “I can feel a depression in the upper canine under the gum”
She came over and felt it. “No no that is fine no….” and with a deep sigh asked me to go and get M (the other vet) and more experienced at dentals so she can check see if it needs to come out. Although she knows it does, she is hoping it is one of those cases where there may be a lifeline. M comes through and has a feel, no words needed.
Canines are difficult to get out because they have such a deep root. So more gum flap incision and a new trick taught by M to extract canines involving drilling into the base of the tooth, a nice big hole in the gum for more stitching and 2 happy vets and vetnurse.
Patient back in recover and trotting through to get Wib’s so she could go out for a pee break l walked past a strange male scowling at a computer muttering in Irish under his breath. I assumed he was the vet/computer expert. Hope he was enjoying himself because anyone that wants to fix the stupid things must have a screw loose them selves.
He was still in the same position when we came back a few minutes later and l tied Wib’s back up in reception.
Back to clean up kits, theatre and prep/dental areas. Lunch by now a distant memory, not unusual with me, I seem to miss out on lots of breaks. I must start putting my foot down as most people do and insist on taking them. Except l can not be bothered to l just grab what l can when l can, l hate starting again after l have unwound.
At least on late consults we had all the computers working and 2 vets, which was just as well because it was a busy surgery, fit in patients kept coming through the doors. I ran out the door at 17:30 relieved to let someone else play with the computers.
Tuesday l was on early l was there but no one else so l couldn’t get in. 15minutes after hanging around l rang one of the local branches as they are friendly with the staff from my place and go out partying etc so l figured they would have phone numbers, except they were still on answer machine till 08:30. So l had to ring head office asking what was going on was anyone ill. Finally at 8:30 the missing student turned up using rude language about school run and traffic.
We were as busy as Monday but thankfully the computers all worked. And l escaped as afternoon consults were starting.
Only this week there then off to another practice next week. Wonder what surprises life will treat me to there. That is the beauty of locum work. So many new routines, computer systems and staff to learn then rush off onto the next one just as you get the hang of things. I love it.
Thankfully l was up to speed on the computers as l have been on late’s which end at 19:00 which means once ops and cleaning up is done l am on reception.
Monday l finally have an early finish as l was on mids which was a 9am start.
One of the reception computers was pulled out and looked like a computer version of rip. it had been playing up last week and looks like it finally died over the weekend.
I barely sat down on reception when l had to take the first payment of the day, l was unable to get the cash till open to get change. The computer/till system is meant to work independently so if one dies you do not have this problem, great start to the day. The client said just pop his change (pence only) into the charity box.
I had a word with the head nurse (hn) who was snarling at the back computer while trying to add histories for patients that had been to the emergency vets over the weekend. For payments l suggested we send invoices or ask for cards. She was past caring; l had enough computer problems without caring what was going on with hers.
This left me with a fist full of cash so l shoved it in an empty draw and hoped l would remember which office draw it was, the room is a bit of a tip.
Next minute the vet appears and tells me that her computer won’t print labels; quick test showed no computers would print labels. This meant hand writing labels. Money wise the clients were happy to card it or pop back to pay bills.
A practice rang up and wanted a history for a client that was leaving the area. Guess what won’t print. I read the very short history over the phone and tell them l will send the history at some point in several light years time if any of us survive the day.
The hn stomped through and rang head office told them that the reception computer seemed to have fully died after spending last week crashing all the time, this had caused overall chaos. HO said to ring the computer people they promised they would dial in and fix things. The hn and l did not query how they would do that when one of the computers was turned off at the wall. Life had enough for us to do without caring about some mythical dial in.
Finally the receptionist came in she was on late’s the hn and l fell on her like starving wolves telling of all our woes. The reply was as she knows nothing about computers except what she does what were we telling her for. Miffed and rebuffed the hn and l did what any sensible person would. Ran away down the back and got op’s ready for the vet’s, leaving the receptionist to sort the mess down the front.
Part way through the standard ops of spaying and castration the receptionist came through and said that she had sorted the computers; we must be incompetent as with no knowledge she had them all working.
I pulled the short straw with the dental. I have mentioned before one of the reasons l like nights is we do not have dentals. First get the dental machine working, these are designed by experts who do not use them. The vet cussed her way through tooth extraction, she used to do mixed work (farm animal and small pets). She hated dentals and would always swop a dental with a vet that preferred dentals to farm work and they were both happy.
Anyway the dog had lots of teeth out on both sides and a stitch a gum flap, this was needed to help extract one of the large molars.
At this point the receptionist came through again to dental/prep room. She had coffees and chocolate biscuits. I know l am trying to stop chocolate but l had to have a couple of biscuits as a stress aid. Apparently the vet from one of the other branches that was in charge of the computers was round and sorting things, l never got a chance to ask why? As she said she had fixed them.
Recovering post munch of biscuit and quick coffee hit, l took over again from the vet who was glaring at the dogs mouth, daring anything else to be wrong as she felt her part was finished and keeping an eye on the patient. The vet went to get her recovery aid and write the patient up.
I started to clean the teeth and the tooth scaler died. Water bottle full… check. Machine switched on… check. All knobs seem to be in right place…check. Dental machine kicked hard… check, nothing so look for hn. She is new and not used to the machine so repeats what l did to same effect. Then she had an idea and said hang on there is 2 bottles try and fill the other one. I did and it worked. Now what is the use of having a back up water bottle if both of them have to be full to work but the machine only takes water from one bottle at a time. To the normal mind when one bottle is empty you flick to the other and when that is empty THEN the machine stops. No not this devil you need both full even though one is back up and not in use.
Turn patient over and start to scale that side. “Errrrrmm” clear my throat trying to think how not to make the vet want to run away. Vet looks at my face and you can see her heart sinking, then perk up “Have you done something wrong”.
“Gee thanks for that, no but you need to do something with this canine”. Her face fell. I continued “I can feel a depression in the upper canine under the gum”
She came over and felt it. “No no that is fine no….” and with a deep sigh asked me to go and get M (the other vet) and more experienced at dentals so she can check see if it needs to come out. Although she knows it does, she is hoping it is one of those cases where there may be a lifeline. M comes through and has a feel, no words needed.
Canines are difficult to get out because they have such a deep root. So more gum flap incision and a new trick taught by M to extract canines involving drilling into the base of the tooth, a nice big hole in the gum for more stitching and 2 happy vets and vetnurse.
Patient back in recover and trotting through to get Wib’s so she could go out for a pee break l walked past a strange male scowling at a computer muttering in Irish under his breath. I assumed he was the vet/computer expert. Hope he was enjoying himself because anyone that wants to fix the stupid things must have a screw loose them selves.
He was still in the same position when we came back a few minutes later and l tied Wib’s back up in reception.
Back to clean up kits, theatre and prep/dental areas. Lunch by now a distant memory, not unusual with me, I seem to miss out on lots of breaks. I must start putting my foot down as most people do and insist on taking them. Except l can not be bothered to l just grab what l can when l can, l hate starting again after l have unwound.
At least on late consults we had all the computers working and 2 vets, which was just as well because it was a busy surgery, fit in patients kept coming through the doors. I ran out the door at 17:30 relieved to let someone else play with the computers.
Tuesday l was on early l was there but no one else so l couldn’t get in. 15minutes after hanging around l rang one of the local branches as they are friendly with the staff from my place and go out partying etc so l figured they would have phone numbers, except they were still on answer machine till 08:30. So l had to ring head office asking what was going on was anyone ill. Finally at 8:30 the missing student turned up using rude language about school run and traffic.
We were as busy as Monday but thankfully the computers all worked. And l escaped as afternoon consults were starting.
Only this week there then off to another practice next week. Wonder what surprises life will treat me to there. That is the beauty of locum work. So many new routines, computer systems and staff to learn then rush off onto the next one just as you get the hang of things. I love it.
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Head Dressing's
Wibble is very good natured and often used for student practice of various bandaging techniques, much better than a doll. I managed to get some photos of her in "model mode". Bandaging is generally done by nurses vets tends to mess up they are always in a rush.
First fold the ear over the head and pad it, making sure your wound is covered by melolin or whatever dressing you want.
Then apply the first layer make sure it is not to tight especailly under the throat.
Then your next layer anchored nicely round the other ear
Finally your last layer
Now get a pen and write do not cut and a shape of the ear. Ears have been removed by people cutting through what they thought was just bandages.
Check the tightness at every stage so the patient can breath then step back and admire your work... and write in that warning!!!
First fold the ear over the head and pad it, making sure your wound is covered by melolin or whatever dressing you want.
Then apply the first layer make sure it is not to tight especailly under the throat.
Then your next layer anchored nicely round the other ear
Finally your last layer
Now get a pen and write do not cut and a shape of the ear. Ears have been removed by people cutting through what they thought was just bandages.
Check the tightness at every stage so the patient can breath then step back and admire your work... and write in that warning!!!
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
The Real VN's
In UK there is a great misconception about qualified veterinary nurses and student veterinary nurse’s that does tend to grate on us. On average it is thought we cuddle animals all day and clean up after them. I have put up some of the going on to clear up the misconception but decided to put up a bit more information on exams, wages and life.
Well we do a lot of cleaning up but as to cuddling animals all day. We do have contact with them but “spending the day cuddling animals” is not on the cards if you want to care for them properly.
Inpatients need temperatures, pulses, respirations checked, kennel’s cleaned, body functions monitored, medications given, walked or physiotherapy carried out.
Surgical interventions to assist with or carry out, veterinary nurses often do radiography, some qualified and vn's are able to do basic surgery so long as no body cavity is entered. Often nurses are in charge of wound care, the vets sorting medication but the nurses doing the cleaning and dressing, vets are generally useless at bandaging.
VN’s do dental scaling but unless the tooth is hanging out are not permitted to extract.
Veterinary nurses are the anaesthetists for the vet and at times scrub in as assistants usually to hold pull or do whatever is required by the vet. We carry out lab work, and basic vein puncture for various tests or to place iv catheters.
If we are on nurse clinics that means wound checks and redresses, discharges, post op checks, pre op admits, dental, diabetic, renal, geriatric, general animal care for many species, diet clinics, anal gland express, nail clips on and on.
Add to that in smaller veterinary practices we are also cleaners and receptionists. Being a qualified or student vn is not a role to be taken lightly.
For this the average wage for a qualified veterinary nurse is £12-16k/year. Some referral practices offer up to about £20k but that is very rare.
Nights and weekends are often worked and only tiny retainers paid. One practice l have heard of pays their nurses £1.50/night to be on call, that is only if work is carried out. They have to live in over the practice to check patients overnight and be available for the vets if called to assist and are expected to work a full day after a night shift. The night shift covers a full week. This is not unusual in the veterinary world, hence the value of emergency clinics staff are dedicated to that shift not exhausted. Not counting the fact that someone is observing the animals full time not popping down every so often.
There are several routes to becoming a qualified veterinary nurse the newest is the degree route via a university. There is also EVN (Equine Veterinary Nurse) qualifications for those who want to specialise in horses.
The standard EVN and VN course is in house training with either day or block release to a collage. The certificate is a bog standard NVQ 2 and 3 which is quite frankly a joke and a very sore point with l think all of us.
Veterinary nursing is the ONLY NVQ that is only passed based on written and practical exams. Work and learning far exceeds what is involved in any other NVQ exams.
Below is a summary of the present syllabus there are also sections on dealing with exotics in all the sections below not just cats and dogs but rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, birds etc.
Year one is written exams 2 papers in the morning and 2 in the afternoon over a day covering the year’s course:
Relationships and accountability in veterinary nursing practice
Health and Safety in veterinary nursing practice
Applied functional anatomy
Maintaining animal health
Essential veterinary nursing skills
Nursing support in the provision of veterinary services
Year two is a day of written exams 2 papers in the morning and 2 in the afternoon and a further half day of practical exams.
Application of veterinary nursing care
Practice and principles of diagnostics
Laboratory practice
Diagnostic imaging
Pharmacology and pharmacy support
Surgical theatre practice
Anaesthesia
If in more than 2 of practicals the sets are failed then a total re-sit is required. If you fail less then you can re-sit the failed practices. Failed written exams mean resitting the failed papers. Only 3 re-sits are allowed and then special dispensation is required.
We also have a portfolio of cases to be produced. On all areas, surgical, medical, behavioural, exotics, h and s, client care etc. I was unlucky enough to be in the first year of the new portfolio setup back in ‘98 time. Before that it was a little green book that got sigend every so often… bliss! And l had to go and miss it.
Since we did the first portfolio they have cut the portfolio by about 40% as apparently it was to complex and to much work when working full time, we managed it!
One of the huge points of anger is that we go through all that yet anyone stacking shelves in the supermarket one day can go and do any of those jobs and with only a brief update from someone in the practice and they and vets call them veterinary nurses.
In other words your pet goes in for even a routine operation and the person doing the anaesthetic can be first day on the job.
The "powers that be" say that the vet is in charge and keeping an eye on things, but as the vet is nose deep inside the pet they are not monitoring the patient.
All the work we do any untrained person is allowed to do and again call themselves a veterinary nurse. No matter what information they are giving out no one has monitored it to know if it is right or not.
This is all permitted as it is said there is not enough qualified vet nurses, but due to all to often appalling wages and often bad treatment from employers many do not stay long and there is a high turnover. Those that are good employers generally keep their staff for years.
You should always check who will be doing your pets anaesthesia and care or gives you advice. Are they fully qualified and listed or just auxiliaries the practice or they call “veterinary nurses”. These are often very experienced people but all too many are not, more importantly though they have no formal training.
There is a move to make qualified veterinary nurses into registered RVN. The idea is that you are then responsible for your mistakes, as a qualified listed vn the vet carries the can.
If someone qualified after 2003 then it is automatic and no choice to get an r. Those of use who qualified before 2003 have a choice of listed or rvn. I have told rcvs that l have no intention of becoming an rvn because l do not trust a vet not to try and shaft me over his mistakes and l know that l will be a scapegoat and do not believe l will get a fair hearing. Many vets are great and l trust them implicitly, but I had a vet try and shaft me several years ago hence my distrust after being burned once.
A registered vn is also meant to have a min of 45hrs CPD over 3 years. Some practices pay towards this many do not and for us locums we pay our own. A day’s cpd averages £150+ so on our wages this is not that simple. There is some cheaper evening or now as rare as hens teeth free cpd.
Well we do a lot of cleaning up but as to cuddling animals all day. We do have contact with them but “spending the day cuddling animals” is not on the cards if you want to care for them properly.
Inpatients need temperatures, pulses, respirations checked, kennel’s cleaned, body functions monitored, medications given, walked or physiotherapy carried out.
Surgical interventions to assist with or carry out, veterinary nurses often do radiography, some qualified and vn's are able to do basic surgery so long as no body cavity is entered. Often nurses are in charge of wound care, the vets sorting medication but the nurses doing the cleaning and dressing, vets are generally useless at bandaging.
VN’s do dental scaling but unless the tooth is hanging out are not permitted to extract.
Veterinary nurses are the anaesthetists for the vet and at times scrub in as assistants usually to hold pull or do whatever is required by the vet. We carry out lab work, and basic vein puncture for various tests or to place iv catheters.
If we are on nurse clinics that means wound checks and redresses, discharges, post op checks, pre op admits, dental, diabetic, renal, geriatric, general animal care for many species, diet clinics, anal gland express, nail clips on and on.
Add to that in smaller veterinary practices we are also cleaners and receptionists. Being a qualified or student vn is not a role to be taken lightly.
For this the average wage for a qualified veterinary nurse is £12-16k/year. Some referral practices offer up to about £20k but that is very rare.
Nights and weekends are often worked and only tiny retainers paid. One practice l have heard of pays their nurses £1.50/night to be on call, that is only if work is carried out. They have to live in over the practice to check patients overnight and be available for the vets if called to assist and are expected to work a full day after a night shift. The night shift covers a full week. This is not unusual in the veterinary world, hence the value of emergency clinics staff are dedicated to that shift not exhausted. Not counting the fact that someone is observing the animals full time not popping down every so often.
There are several routes to becoming a qualified veterinary nurse the newest is the degree route via a university. There is also EVN (Equine Veterinary Nurse) qualifications for those who want to specialise in horses.
The standard EVN and VN course is in house training with either day or block release to a collage. The certificate is a bog standard NVQ 2 and 3 which is quite frankly a joke and a very sore point with l think all of us.
Veterinary nursing is the ONLY NVQ that is only passed based on written and practical exams. Work and learning far exceeds what is involved in any other NVQ exams.
Below is a summary of the present syllabus there are also sections on dealing with exotics in all the sections below not just cats and dogs but rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, birds etc.
Year one is written exams 2 papers in the morning and 2 in the afternoon over a day covering the year’s course:
Relationships and accountability in veterinary nursing practice
Health and Safety in veterinary nursing practice
Applied functional anatomy
Maintaining animal health
Essential veterinary nursing skills
Nursing support in the provision of veterinary services
Year two is a day of written exams 2 papers in the morning and 2 in the afternoon and a further half day of practical exams.
Application of veterinary nursing care
Practice and principles of diagnostics
Laboratory practice
Diagnostic imaging
Pharmacology and pharmacy support
Surgical theatre practice
Anaesthesia
If in more than 2 of practicals the sets are failed then a total re-sit is required. If you fail less then you can re-sit the failed practices. Failed written exams mean resitting the failed papers. Only 3 re-sits are allowed and then special dispensation is required.
We also have a portfolio of cases to be produced. On all areas, surgical, medical, behavioural, exotics, h and s, client care etc. I was unlucky enough to be in the first year of the new portfolio setup back in ‘98 time. Before that it was a little green book that got sigend every so often… bliss! And l had to go and miss it.
Since we did the first portfolio they have cut the portfolio by about 40% as apparently it was to complex and to much work when working full time, we managed it!
One of the huge points of anger is that we go through all that yet anyone stacking shelves in the supermarket one day can go and do any of those jobs and with only a brief update from someone in the practice and they and vets call them veterinary nurses.
In other words your pet goes in for even a routine operation and the person doing the anaesthetic can be first day on the job.
The "powers that be" say that the vet is in charge and keeping an eye on things, but as the vet is nose deep inside the pet they are not monitoring the patient.
All the work we do any untrained person is allowed to do and again call themselves a veterinary nurse. No matter what information they are giving out no one has monitored it to know if it is right or not.
This is all permitted as it is said there is not enough qualified vet nurses, but due to all to often appalling wages and often bad treatment from employers many do not stay long and there is a high turnover. Those that are good employers generally keep their staff for years.
You should always check who will be doing your pets anaesthesia and care or gives you advice. Are they fully qualified and listed or just auxiliaries the practice or they call “veterinary nurses”. These are often very experienced people but all too many are not, more importantly though they have no formal training.
There is a move to make qualified veterinary nurses into registered RVN. The idea is that you are then responsible for your mistakes, as a qualified listed vn the vet carries the can.
If someone qualified after 2003 then it is automatic and no choice to get an r. Those of use who qualified before 2003 have a choice of listed or rvn. I have told rcvs that l have no intention of becoming an rvn because l do not trust a vet not to try and shaft me over his mistakes and l know that l will be a scapegoat and do not believe l will get a fair hearing. Many vets are great and l trust them implicitly, but I had a vet try and shaft me several years ago hence my distrust after being burned once.
A registered vn is also meant to have a min of 45hrs CPD over 3 years. Some practices pay towards this many do not and for us locums we pay our own. A day’s cpd averages £150+ so on our wages this is not that simple. There is some cheaper evening or now as rare as hens teeth free cpd.
Monday, 22 June 2009
Attacks on Veterinary Staff
Having a peruse of a veterinary nursing site l go on l was shocked to read about a student veterinary nurse, getting assaulted at work. I do not know what practice or where in the UK it is only that it is apparently a small branch surgery. That narrows it down to a few thousand places then.
A client who has mental health issues flung her into a door as a result she is on pain medication, very sore and scared and her state of mind is so demoralised she will be heading for depression and has no work support at all.
It is one thing to get assaulted at work, quite another when your boss not only doesn’t stick up for you but starts to make noises that they feel she may need to leave if she doesn’t feel safe working at that particular branch she obviously “isn’t up to the job”, she has a day or so to decide if she will “behave” and “feel safe”.
Her co-worker is furious that she is pressing charges as the woman is mentally disturbed and should be cut some slack, obviously the woman should be allowed to bash people around.
Apparently the client has a history of verbal abuse and “behaving strangely” but no one had put any warnings on her record and they sent the new student VN (been there a few days) out to deal with her and did not warn her verbally about possible danger despite the other staff knowing the client.
The customer has been back in to threaten the student VN and the student’s co-worker sent the student out the back and spoke to the woman. She assured the woman all charges would be dropped. I understand the student when informed afterwards said no way.
The student is scared, emotionally wrecked and physically painful but determined to make a go of it. Training places are like hens teeth they have her over a barrel, if she leaves it will probably be a long time before she can get into another training practice in her area. Added to that in this age of job losses she can not guarantee getting any job anywhere.
On the thread of sympathy to the student and anger and outrage towards whoever her practice manager/owner is that to the student’s knowledge nothing had gone into the accident book or been reported to RIDDOR. As you can guess both of those were high priorities for her to help cover her back. It turns out that until she asked for it to go into the accident book thanks to many site members advising her there was no accident book.
There are not many physical assaults on veterinary staff but there is a lot of verbal abuse towards us. Us being veterinary nurses, receptionists, students etc. Not so much verbal abuse to vets.
The attitude from the management in the post above regarding staff security is not untypical in the veterinary world though where all too often staff are seen as expendable and not worth protecting.
A client who has mental health issues flung her into a door as a result she is on pain medication, very sore and scared and her state of mind is so demoralised she will be heading for depression and has no work support at all.
It is one thing to get assaulted at work, quite another when your boss not only doesn’t stick up for you but starts to make noises that they feel she may need to leave if she doesn’t feel safe working at that particular branch she obviously “isn’t up to the job”, she has a day or so to decide if she will “behave” and “feel safe”.
Her co-worker is furious that she is pressing charges as the woman is mentally disturbed and should be cut some slack, obviously the woman should be allowed to bash people around.
Apparently the client has a history of verbal abuse and “behaving strangely” but no one had put any warnings on her record and they sent the new student VN (been there a few days) out to deal with her and did not warn her verbally about possible danger despite the other staff knowing the client.
The customer has been back in to threaten the student VN and the student’s co-worker sent the student out the back and spoke to the woman. She assured the woman all charges would be dropped. I understand the student when informed afterwards said no way.
The student is scared, emotionally wrecked and physically painful but determined to make a go of it. Training places are like hens teeth they have her over a barrel, if she leaves it will probably be a long time before she can get into another training practice in her area. Added to that in this age of job losses she can not guarantee getting any job anywhere.
On the thread of sympathy to the student and anger and outrage towards whoever her practice manager/owner is that to the student’s knowledge nothing had gone into the accident book or been reported to RIDDOR. As you can guess both of those were high priorities for her to help cover her back. It turns out that until she asked for it to go into the accident book thanks to many site members advising her there was no accident book.
There are not many physical assaults on veterinary staff but there is a lot of verbal abuse towards us. Us being veterinary nurses, receptionists, students etc. Not so much verbal abuse to vets.
The attitude from the management in the post above regarding staff security is not untypical in the veterinary world though where all too often staff are seen as expendable and not worth protecting.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Meet the rcvs Day
I spent yesterday in London on a Meet the rcvs day. I learnt a lot about what rcvs (royal college of veterinary surgeons) do and had a nice lunch. I do not know if it is good or bad that I was not what Jill (president of the rcvs) was expecting. I said “what you expected me more gobby and less tatty”, Jill just grinned.
I swear us Africans are coming out the woodwork. The waiter at rcvs was a shy lad and was from my home town of Bulawayo. There was a lady from SA on the bus.
I really do not like London, it is dirty and has no dustbins, l am not a bomber l wanted to dispose of rubbish. London is costly, my 92p dr pepper from the north was in London 1.59 l managed to get one for 1.39.
The statues and artwork are amazing and while the buildings have some wonderful architecture and carvings in stone and bronze they have a cold feeling heart. It is like all those years of scheming inside have stained their souls. I was looking at the church commissioners building opposite parliament when this thought struck me about the difference between their shells and souls. Having said that l do not like cities in general.
The South African lady on the bus told me where to jump off as she was getting off at the same stop. She was a chartered accountant over at the Dept. of transport. Just about opposite the rcvs, as you can guess we chatted about the state of Africa.
I was in London very early and went for a walk along to the houses of parliament in the sun which was nice. I was toying, till l saw the que, of mooching about inside Westminster abbey.
I went instead into Lady Margaret church next to it, a lovely little gem that only a few people were in. The plaques were fascinating with their stories of the long gone and olde writing.
One small statue vignettes on the wall fascinated me. It is in memory of someone but the man kneeling on a cushion has had his legs, arm and head off. The woman facing him and 2 children behind her are perfect. I do not know who it is of he was not mentioned, l assumed the woman was a queen but do not know. Everywhere else even damaged work was not overly damaged. Yet this seemed very deliberate, unfortunately no one was around to ask about it. If anyone knows l would love to hear the reason.
At the rcvs we were split into 2 small groups. l asked a lot of questions, every time the comment any questions popped up... everyone's eyes swivelled towards me. I got the impression that several people were on tender hooks for me to start a blazing row. Actually l see no point in doing that. Some questions were answered in general conversations other answers were incomplete due to time but at least in part were answered, even though it did open others unasked. It is up to me to decide if l really care enough at the moment to know the answers or leave it till such a time as l decide l want to know.
At one point the other group marched off to the waterproof basement (rcvs seem very proud of the waterproof basement, it was mentioned a lot) apparently the person showing them round is desperate to find out the history of a flag that rcvs store down there. I asked Jill why they had not taken a photo of the flag and sent it to the museums. They have enough to cover every subject in London. I got such a look of total astonishment l thought l had grown an extra head and had to feel for it. Apparently no one had thought of such a simple solution.
l have a better idea of what rcvs did and didn’t do which was a good starting point as like 99% of veterinary staff l had no idea and what l thought was about 90% wrong.
rcvs do the following:
1) Sort curriculum for vet and vn education and see that whoever supplies it stays suitable and current as do those practising.
2) Information storage and grants for veterinary research and other projects education travel etc.
3) Talk with the politicians etc over various animal related issues –although not convinced they seem to do any good again answers were vague, l kept being told to read the literature and no hard facts were given to my questions, l was not impressed.
4) Disciplinary if it brought the profession into public disrepute – The example given was, if a vet stole another persons spouse that didn’t matter.(except to the other spouse) If someone lied about work they had done that did.
5) Fees for registration to practice which are meant to help with the various things they do 1-4 above.
6) bvna are there to support nurses and bva to support vets, rcvs is the paperwork wagon that rolls along in between.
On the 2 veterinary registers - this is people legally able to call themselves and practice veterinary work: there are 8232 qualified vet nurses and 23445 vet surgeons in the UK
On the trip home there was some shrill voiced possibly arab female (l never looked even when getting off the phone my head ached to much to care) on the phone behind me she talked non stop for over 2 hours and when l got off the train at my stop she was still shrieking down the phone in a godawful monotone shrill. ... Ahh well at least l had a lovely lunch and an informative day.
*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*
I missed the programme last night on vet's but have been reading about it, as usual the tv did not give an honest balanced view. I understand that vet staff are having a hard time today due to this. Animals in need of tests are being refused the tests by the owners as they say vets are ripping them off. As animals can not talk the basic blood tests are invaluable to diagnosis and treatment.
Tempers are frayed when they are told that a prescription will cost x and need regular check ups every few months by the vet.
Thank goodness l am off for a few days hopefully by then things will have died down.
I swear us Africans are coming out the woodwork. The waiter at rcvs was a shy lad and was from my home town of Bulawayo. There was a lady from SA on the bus.
I really do not like London, it is dirty and has no dustbins, l am not a bomber l wanted to dispose of rubbish. London is costly, my 92p dr pepper from the north was in London 1.59 l managed to get one for 1.39.
The statues and artwork are amazing and while the buildings have some wonderful architecture and carvings in stone and bronze they have a cold feeling heart. It is like all those years of scheming inside have stained their souls. I was looking at the church commissioners building opposite parliament when this thought struck me about the difference between their shells and souls. Having said that l do not like cities in general.
The South African lady on the bus told me where to jump off as she was getting off at the same stop. She was a chartered accountant over at the Dept. of transport. Just about opposite the rcvs, as you can guess we chatted about the state of Africa.
I was in London very early and went for a walk along to the houses of parliament in the sun which was nice. I was toying, till l saw the que, of mooching about inside Westminster abbey.
I went instead into Lady Margaret church next to it, a lovely little gem that only a few people were in. The plaques were fascinating with their stories of the long gone and olde writing.
One small statue vignettes on the wall fascinated me. It is in memory of someone but the man kneeling on a cushion has had his legs, arm and head off. The woman facing him and 2 children behind her are perfect. I do not know who it is of he was not mentioned, l assumed the woman was a queen but do not know. Everywhere else even damaged work was not overly damaged. Yet this seemed very deliberate, unfortunately no one was around to ask about it. If anyone knows l would love to hear the reason.
At the rcvs we were split into 2 small groups. l asked a lot of questions, every time the comment any questions popped up... everyone's eyes swivelled towards me. I got the impression that several people were on tender hooks for me to start a blazing row. Actually l see no point in doing that. Some questions were answered in general conversations other answers were incomplete due to time but at least in part were answered, even though it did open others unasked. It is up to me to decide if l really care enough at the moment to know the answers or leave it till such a time as l decide l want to know.
At one point the other group marched off to the waterproof basement (rcvs seem very proud of the waterproof basement, it was mentioned a lot) apparently the person showing them round is desperate to find out the history of a flag that rcvs store down there. I asked Jill why they had not taken a photo of the flag and sent it to the museums. They have enough to cover every subject in London. I got such a look of total astonishment l thought l had grown an extra head and had to feel for it. Apparently no one had thought of such a simple solution.
l have a better idea of what rcvs did and didn’t do which was a good starting point as like 99% of veterinary staff l had no idea and what l thought was about 90% wrong.
rcvs do the following:
1) Sort curriculum for vet and vn education and see that whoever supplies it stays suitable and current as do those practising.
2) Information storage and grants for veterinary research and other projects education travel etc.
3) Talk with the politicians etc over various animal related issues –although not convinced they seem to do any good again answers were vague, l kept being told to read the literature and no hard facts were given to my questions, l was not impressed.
4) Disciplinary if it brought the profession into public disrepute – The example given was, if a vet stole another persons spouse that didn’t matter.(except to the other spouse) If someone lied about work they had done that did.
5) Fees for registration to practice which are meant to help with the various things they do 1-4 above.
6) bvna are there to support nurses and bva to support vets, rcvs is the paperwork wagon that rolls along in between.
On the 2 veterinary registers - this is people legally able to call themselves and practice veterinary work: there are 8232 qualified vet nurses and 23445 vet surgeons in the UK
On the trip home there was some shrill voiced possibly arab female (l never looked even when getting off the phone my head ached to much to care) on the phone behind me she talked non stop for over 2 hours and when l got off the train at my stop she was still shrieking down the phone in a godawful monotone shrill. ... Ahh well at least l had a lovely lunch and an informative day.
*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*
I missed the programme last night on vet's but have been reading about it, as usual the tv did not give an honest balanced view. I understand that vet staff are having a hard time today due to this. Animals in need of tests are being refused the tests by the owners as they say vets are ripping them off. As animals can not talk the basic blood tests are invaluable to diagnosis and treatment.
Tempers are frayed when they are told that a prescription will cost x and need regular check ups every few months by the vet.
Thank goodness l am off for a few days hopefully by then things will have died down.
Monday, 6 October 2008
Veterinary Nurse Training
I thought, as this is early days on the blog l would do an early days training story. I shall call the vet who owned the practice Mr Orange or O after Agent Orange as to my mind they have a lot in common.
I would also like to say that this is just one story faced daily by us his staff, it made no difference if clients, or other visitors were present or not.
I had been at the practice about 3 weeks to a month. This was spent out the front on reception learning the computer. In this practice nurses and trainees manned reception as part of their shifts, alongside reception staff.
I would zip into the back at every opportunity to try and learn that side as well. I tend to learn computer systems fairly fast so l was in the back about 3 weeks quicker than normal.
In Tenerife, running the K9 rescue kennels l had a lot of vet type work to do, that is not done here. I decided on treatment (antibiotics and what sort, set up and placed drips, PTS etc) when l needed help Tony Boardman a UK vet was only a phone call away and l trusted his veterinary skills not the local vets. I had heard and seen to much. Things have changed a lot over the years though and now there is good vets there.
Tony would come out every so often and do all the surgical work we and other rescue groups needed doing.
He finally moved out to Tenerife and set up permanently. Unfortunately for the animals of Tenerife he passed on within a few years.
My maths has never been great and l had worked out my own system to calculate drug doses. So long as l had a calculator l was ok. Tony had always confirmed whenever l asked him on doses that l was right so l had no worries about it working.
Back to the present. Mr Orange told me to give a premed to a patient. Bear in mind l had not been there long, and although it was called a training practice, none was given, we had to rely on other qualified or student nurses, or the one other vet who was a gem to help us if they had time. I walked off and began to work out the drug dose. It had been made clear by him, with biting sarcasm when l asked about such things, that we were expected to know how to do this.
Suddenly the calculator was grabbed out of my hand and smashed against the wall.
I was under a barrage of screaming and abuse and dragged into the autoclave room where the screaming abuse continued for about 45minuites on how useless l was, l was a disgrace to the nursing let alone the veterinary profession.....on and on it went.
My sin was using a calculator.
After this l was so shattered the head nurse sent me home. I decided to go on training at the practice.
1) Because no *&$$%^&* was going to ruin my life.
2) VN training places are like hens teeth, and l was not going to run as l probably would not get another.
The net result was that it totally destroyed my confidence in working out anything maths wise. I was able to do it for the exam but even now l still worry if told to give so and so a drug, l double check with the vet on amounts.
I used to try and hide the worry as l was ashamed at my myself. Not now, now l tell any vet l work with at the start and things are always fine. In fact vet's are always using calculators, and more than one has asked how did Agent O know he wasn't under or overdosing?.
I will never allow anyone to treat me like that again. After that Agent Orange and l used to tear into each other but he never sacked me, l don't knows why. I told him to often enough, l wasn't for running away. One day l may learn to turn the other cheek.
Because of what l witnessed and went through under "Agent O" l did my NLP training (Neuro Linguistic Programming)with Andy Smith at Coaching Leaders (see links) NLP is used for helping people with psychological problems. I think it is a lot better than CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) but l guess l am biased.
I now help adults who have been abused in the workplace , usually only via email, but some face to face. The statistics on abuse in the workplace worldwide are frightening and are the hidden side of the adult workplace.
A couple of years ago l was invited on the open forum panel held on bullying at the BVNA VN congress. Unfortunatly Mr Orange is not an isolated case.
So in the end l guess l have a lot to thank Mr Orange for. Despite all. I qualified as a veterinary nurse. I have done NLP and am able to help others, and l have walked a path l would never have dreamed of.
I would also like to say that this is just one story faced daily by us his staff, it made no difference if clients, or other visitors were present or not.
I had been at the practice about 3 weeks to a month. This was spent out the front on reception learning the computer. In this practice nurses and trainees manned reception as part of their shifts, alongside reception staff.
I would zip into the back at every opportunity to try and learn that side as well. I tend to learn computer systems fairly fast so l was in the back about 3 weeks quicker than normal.
In Tenerife, running the K9 rescue kennels l had a lot of vet type work to do, that is not done here. I decided on treatment (antibiotics and what sort, set up and placed drips, PTS etc) when l needed help Tony Boardman a UK vet was only a phone call away and l trusted his veterinary skills not the local vets. I had heard and seen to much. Things have changed a lot over the years though and now there is good vets there.
Tony would come out every so often and do all the surgical work we and other rescue groups needed doing.
He finally moved out to Tenerife and set up permanently. Unfortunately for the animals of Tenerife he passed on within a few years.
My maths has never been great and l had worked out my own system to calculate drug doses. So long as l had a calculator l was ok. Tony had always confirmed whenever l asked him on doses that l was right so l had no worries about it working.
Back to the present. Mr Orange told me to give a premed to a patient. Bear in mind l had not been there long, and although it was called a training practice, none was given, we had to rely on other qualified or student nurses, or the one other vet who was a gem to help us if they had time. I walked off and began to work out the drug dose. It had been made clear by him, with biting sarcasm when l asked about such things, that we were expected to know how to do this.
Suddenly the calculator was grabbed out of my hand and smashed against the wall.
I was under a barrage of screaming and abuse and dragged into the autoclave room where the screaming abuse continued for about 45minuites on how useless l was, l was a disgrace to the nursing let alone the veterinary profession.....on and on it went.
My sin was using a calculator.
After this l was so shattered the head nurse sent me home. I decided to go on training at the practice.
1) Because no *&$$%^&* was going to ruin my life.
2) VN training places are like hens teeth, and l was not going to run as l probably would not get another.
The net result was that it totally destroyed my confidence in working out anything maths wise. I was able to do it for the exam but even now l still worry if told to give so and so a drug, l double check with the vet on amounts.
I used to try and hide the worry as l was ashamed at my myself. Not now, now l tell any vet l work with at the start and things are always fine. In fact vet's are always using calculators, and more than one has asked how did Agent O know he wasn't under or overdosing?.
I will never allow anyone to treat me like that again. After that Agent Orange and l used to tear into each other but he never sacked me, l don't knows why. I told him to often enough, l wasn't for running away. One day l may learn to turn the other cheek.
Because of what l witnessed and went through under "Agent O" l did my NLP training (Neuro Linguistic Programming)with Andy Smith at Coaching Leaders (see links) NLP is used for helping people with psychological problems. I think it is a lot better than CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) but l guess l am biased.
I now help adults who have been abused in the workplace , usually only via email, but some face to face. The statistics on abuse in the workplace worldwide are frightening and are the hidden side of the adult workplace.
A couple of years ago l was invited on the open forum panel held on bullying at the BVNA VN congress. Unfortunatly Mr Orange is not an isolated case.
So in the end l guess l have a lot to thank Mr Orange for. Despite all. I qualified as a veterinary nurse. I have done NLP and am able to help others, and l have walked a path l would never have dreamed of.
Friday, 26 September 2008
Veterinary Nursing UK
I felt that veterinary nursing needed a bit more of an explanation, in general, and on a daily basis than is available. It is neither all cute animals nor all horror stories. To be a qualified VN needs a dedication to a lifestyle that you will become disillusioned with yet addicted to.
I generally work with small animals, not large although l have worked with horses. So my ravings will mainly be based on the small animal sector, unless l am locuming at a large animal practice and get to do any work with said beasts.
The wages go from bad to acceptable and usually sit in the not great bracket. Training if done via NVQ is a minimum of 2 years and it is not easy to get. It has become complicated and training practices are closing their doors or already have full quotas, usually 1 or 2 trainees at a time. You can go the diploma route but that is just as hard finding placements.
You will get bitten, scratched, spat at and compare scars with other veterinary staff. Unlike your human counterparts, where abuse from patients is not tolerated, our job accepts abuse from patients, although it would be nice if owners warned us that "mummys snookums" is really a tiger in disguise.
There is no blocks on mobile phones so expect them to go off when you get to the most important part of the discharge, or just as you have finally got a grip on the rabbit, that the vet is trying to examine which is so spooked it keeps trying to leap over your head and splat against the wall. ... this leads to the splat that you were trying to avoid and the owner glaring at you for failing to protect their precious pet.
The hamster that is so sweet to the 6 year old child attached to the vet's finger with the tenacity of a limpet, you place mental odds if the vet will swear in front of mother and child, or manage to just stay red faced while making whimpering noises trying to remove the deadly creature.
You need to harden your emotions or it will tear you apart. This does not mean loose them it means sitting hard on them when you need to.
Putting down an old ill animal that has reached the end of a quality life, or a patient young or old that is dying from injuries or illness is l will use the term easy.
The young patient that the owner can not afford vet's fees for as they do not have insurance, or the animal is peeing on the carpet and to modify the behaviour is too much trouble. Now is the time you need to accept that this job is from hell but the patient is what counts and helping make their last moments less stressful no matter what you would like to do to humans in general or their owner in particular.
The good times roll around daily though and the animal in for a routine operation that bounces out with it's happy family.
The dying patient that was pulled round with intensive nursing and veterinary work, that everyone gave no odds of survival on, goes out with one last snarl at you for putting all those needles in to the ailing body and a silent wish in your mind that you do not need to do the post op checks, you just know that the former patient when fit, is going to try and eat you.
The owners that want to do the best for their pet and not only listen to your advice but follow it.
Anal glands and blow back from blocked cats can sometimes be aimed with deadly accuracy at a vet or other member of staff. This is great but bear in mind that they have the same "tools" at their disposal and will generally get you back when you least expect it.
Going out for a meal with work friends can cause green looks from tables around you when you discuss cases without thinking.
These and other goings on in life at a veterinary practice make the job worthwhile.
There is 101 tasks to do when you are a qualified veterinary nurse here is some of them.
You will find that you can eat a curry smothered in tomato sauce minutes after cleaning a kennel full of Parvo bloody, stinking diarrhoea and vomit.
Place iv catheters in puppies, kittens, adult animals or bunny ears.
Place urine catheters.
Run lab tests.
Monitor anaesthetics.
Teach.
Clean up.
Carry out schedule 3 procedures.
Garden.
Decorate.
Debt collection.
Hold animals while they are examined or put down.
Deal with dangerous dogs or feral cats, young children abusive or stupid owners.
Run nursing clinics include the following - post op checks, geriatric, worms/parasites, dental, firework fear, animal keeping, nutrition, weight clinics, nail clipping, anal gland emptying, behaviour (basic only for more intense problems find a COAPE or APBT member)
Discharge inpatients.
Triage animals.
Run reception.
Set up and take x-rays.
Face abuse from vets and/or nurses.
Work nights checking inpatients, alone in a high risk job with no security or back up, that costs money.
Depression is rife.
I have not yet decided if l love my job or hate it, but l have yet to find one that can compare with it for variety and interest.
I generally work with small animals, not large although l have worked with horses. So my ravings will mainly be based on the small animal sector, unless l am locuming at a large animal practice and get to do any work with said beasts.
The wages go from bad to acceptable and usually sit in the not great bracket. Training if done via NVQ is a minimum of 2 years and it is not easy to get. It has become complicated and training practices are closing their doors or already have full quotas, usually 1 or 2 trainees at a time. You can go the diploma route but that is just as hard finding placements.
You will get bitten, scratched, spat at and compare scars with other veterinary staff. Unlike your human counterparts, where abuse from patients is not tolerated, our job accepts abuse from patients, although it would be nice if owners warned us that "mummys snookums" is really a tiger in disguise.
There is no blocks on mobile phones so expect them to go off when you get to the most important part of the discharge, or just as you have finally got a grip on the rabbit, that the vet is trying to examine which is so spooked it keeps trying to leap over your head and splat against the wall. ... this leads to the splat that you were trying to avoid and the owner glaring at you for failing to protect their precious pet.
The hamster that is so sweet to the 6 year old child attached to the vet's finger with the tenacity of a limpet, you place mental odds if the vet will swear in front of mother and child, or manage to just stay red faced while making whimpering noises trying to remove the deadly creature.
You need to harden your emotions or it will tear you apart. This does not mean loose them it means sitting hard on them when you need to.
Putting down an old ill animal that has reached the end of a quality life, or a patient young or old that is dying from injuries or illness is l will use the term easy.
The young patient that the owner can not afford vet's fees for as they do not have insurance, or the animal is peeing on the carpet and to modify the behaviour is too much trouble. Now is the time you need to accept that this job is from hell but the patient is what counts and helping make their last moments less stressful no matter what you would like to do to humans in general or their owner in particular.
The good times roll around daily though and the animal in for a routine operation that bounces out with it's happy family.
The dying patient that was pulled round with intensive nursing and veterinary work, that everyone gave no odds of survival on, goes out with one last snarl at you for putting all those needles in to the ailing body and a silent wish in your mind that you do not need to do the post op checks, you just know that the former patient when fit, is going to try and eat you.
The owners that want to do the best for their pet and not only listen to your advice but follow it.
Anal glands and blow back from blocked cats can sometimes be aimed with deadly accuracy at a vet or other member of staff. This is great but bear in mind that they have the same "tools" at their disposal and will generally get you back when you least expect it.
Going out for a meal with work friends can cause green looks from tables around you when you discuss cases without thinking.
These and other goings on in life at a veterinary practice make the job worthwhile.
There is 101 tasks to do when you are a qualified veterinary nurse here is some of them.
You will find that you can eat a curry smothered in tomato sauce minutes after cleaning a kennel full of Parvo bloody, stinking diarrhoea and vomit.
Place iv catheters in puppies, kittens, adult animals or bunny ears.
Place urine catheters.
Run lab tests.
Monitor anaesthetics.
Teach.
Clean up.
Carry out schedule 3 procedures.
Garden.
Decorate.
Debt collection.
Hold animals while they are examined or put down.
Deal with dangerous dogs or feral cats, young children abusive or stupid owners.
Run nursing clinics include the following - post op checks, geriatric, worms/parasites, dental, firework fear, animal keeping, nutrition, weight clinics, nail clipping, anal gland emptying, behaviour (basic only for more intense problems find a COAPE or APBT member)
Discharge inpatients.
Triage animals.
Run reception.
Set up and take x-rays.
Face abuse from vets and/or nurses.
Work nights checking inpatients, alone in a high risk job with no security or back up, that costs money.
Depression is rife.
I have not yet decided if l love my job or hate it, but l have yet to find one that can compare with it for variety and interest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
