March 2018

You don’t fake your appointments… do you?

Whether due to being inundated with clients, understaffed or trying to catch up on workload, resident RVN blogger Jane Davidson discusses the prevalence of staff members booking out false practice consultations, as well as the reasons they choose to keep up this pretence...

21 mins

February 2018

Veterinary aromatherapy: the good, the bad and the ugly

Following an unusual Twitter conversation with fellow blogger Nick Marsh, our resident RVN stands up and admits: “My name’s Jane, and I’m a sniffoholic.”

12 mins
A cryonic kitty conundrum

RVN Jane Davidson contemplates whether freezing and storing the body of recently deceased pets – so at some future time of medical advancement they may be brought back to life – will become a possibility, after receiving an interesting telephone call of that nature...

14 mins

January 2018

Terms and conditions – are salaries the only bottom line?

For those hoping to find their dream job, RVN Jane Davidson warns against being seduced by an increased headline salary, and urges jobseekers to take the whole remuneration package into account.

14 mins
Is a non-clinical RVN still an RVN?

VN blogger Jane Davidson uses the new year to file a “State of the Nation”-type review of the profession, pausing to reflect a common postnominal-based identity crisis.

12 mins

December 2017

Enjoy what you can when you can – it’s not a competition

Not everyone likes the festive season – Jane Davidson included. So, for those dreading Christmas, she offers some words of support: “Do you and do it well.”

18 mins
Abusive clients

Jane RVN looks at the ways veterinary practices can improve levels of customer service and resolve many of the potential conflict areas that can lead to confrontation.

18 mins

November 2017

Cats versus dogs – the ultimate speciesism?

Jane RVN recalls an high-profile cat scratch incident and discusses why such injuries are often treated as a source of amusement, whereas dog attacks are seen as cause for hysteria.

14 mins
Schedule 3 – evidence of our role secured

Jane RVN delves into the 90-odd pages of the RCVS' much-anticipated Schedule 3 survey report and digs out a couple of the gems contained within its pages for closer inspection.

17 mins

October 2017

We’re not ‘taking the weight off’

“Time spent sitting down as a VN should improve the time spent standing up,” writes Jane Davidson as she highlights the importance of desk duties and discusses how it could improve client interaction.

11 mins
Innovative thinking

Her social media campaigning, especially under #planetrvn, has won her an RCVS innovation award. Now, Jane Davidson advocates why everyone must create their own future.

17 mins

September 2017

And now on Radio 4…

VN blogger Jane Davidson shows a little love for the world's longest-running radio soap opera and explains why Ambridge needs a veterinary nurse or two.

14 mins
Where is your Eden?

Channel 4's back-to-basics show Eden – which saw 23 strangers unsuccessfully build a community from scratch – has highlighted the complexity around euthanasia and slaughter, says Jane RVN.

17 mins

August 2017

Getting #VNFutures on the road

Despite some initial apprehension over getting involved, Jane RVN is now fully part of the #VNFutures initiative with a role in one of its working groups. Here, she reports from one of its roadshows.

10 mins
An abbreviation too far?

Aware the proliferation of veterinary initialisms may be confusing for some, Jane Davidson has compiled a list of the main associations as a quick guide for those new to the profession.

15 mins

July 2017

Tale as old as time…

Noticing an abundance of people unable to find TP placements or even work experience, Jane RVN looks back at how she became an RVN to work out how she managed it.

19 mins
Reflection rebranded

Jane RVN's role in the RCVS pilot scheme for its new outcome-based CPD has got her thinking about thinking...

15 mins

June 2017

Green is not the only colour

Jane RVN delves into the BVNA and BSAVA archives to try and discover who decided veterinary nurses should wear green uniforms.

12 mins
Freebies: do you need them all?

Jane Davidson reflects on exhibition freebies, and whether everyone really needs all those pens, posters and sticky notes.

11 mins

May 2017

VN training contracts: do all sides know the deal?

Jane Davidson outlines why, if you're a training practice committed to CPD, you need updated contracts in place, so all parties know what they're undertaking – including the financial costs and timescales.

9 mins