Giving a client a few more years with their pet is priceless
Last updated 19:44, Thursday, 21 August 2008
‘When you have nursed a patient who was on the brink of death back to health there’s no other feeling like it. Seeing the client’s face knowing they’ll have their pet with them for another few years is priceless.’
WORKING with animals has been a life-long ambition for Mark Bowman. So training as a veterinary nurse at Millcroft Veterinary Group has become a dream come true for the 21- year-old.
Currently in his second year of a veterinary nurse degree, Mark has just embarked on a nine-week placement at the surgery.
“I came to Millcroft Vets during the first year of my degree to complete another placement,” Mark, from Workington, explained.
“When I first started my training at the surgery I was doing every task such as cleaning, learning the protocol and observing operations.
“As time went on I gradually took on more responsibility but training at Millcroft is fantastic for learning and development and I was encouraged to get involved and take on more responsibility where I could.
“As my role progressed I was able to talk to clients about flu treatments, for example and other forms of treatment.
“I had previously spent two years at Newton Rigg campus, studying a national diploma in animal management, so I wasn’t starting my course blind, so to speak.
“But my decision to continue to degree level led me here – at Millcroft.”
Mark is now studying his degree through Myerscough College and lives at the Preston campus when he’s not on his placement.
He said: “When I started my course we more-or-less got right into training as veterinary nurses and began learning how to take temperatures, learn veterinary terminology, listen for respiration and make clinical observations.
“We were also shown various methods and techniques to look out for certain symptoms and conditions in animals, such as heart complaints.
“But now that I’m in my second year the workload has increased significantly; I have to complete an ongoing portfolio of work, sit two two-hour exams and two four-hour exams at the end of the semester.
“I love the practical learning aspect to the degree course and working through the placement is probably the most enjoyable part of the year.
“I really enjoy the clinical side of the role; the research that’s involved like studying the effects of certain drugs on an animal’s ailments. But I also enjoy getting involved in minor procedures.
“I think that’s down to the training I’ve received here at Millcroft because I’ve been given the support and opportunity to develop as a trainee nurse.
“There is always someone to fall back on if I’m unsure about something or need to ask a question. The staff have all got so much experience, such as treating exotic animals and dealing with customers, that my learning experience has been a thorough one.
“But one of my main suggestions to people who are interested in a career as a veterinary nurse is research your training route before hand.
“If you learn better through a more practical method then you should look out for a course with lots of placement opportunities.
“And as soon as you can, enlist in a training practice such as Millcroft.
“It’s hard work training and working as a veterinary nurse but it is, without a doubt, one of the most rewarding careers out there.
“You have to have a willingness to learn, be very patient, non-judgemental but more importantly be prepared to work long, hard hours.
“But when you have nursed a patient, who was on the brink of death for two days, back to health there’s no other feeling like it.
“Seeing the client’s face, once they know they’ll have their pet with them for another few years, is priceless.”
