Understanding the roles of equine veterinary nursing teams in UK practices: A cross-sectional study

Feeling undervalued, having limited opportunities to utilise clinical skills and lack of career progression have been identified as factors negatively affecting the job satisfaction and retention of small animal registered veterinary nurses (RVNs). The aim of this study was to explore the roles and activities of equine veterinary nurses, and the barriers and facilitators associated with their professional progression.

An anonymous, cross-sectional online questionnaire was distributed to all RVNs and student veterinary nurses working with equids in VetPartners practices. The questions explored respondents' current roles and responsibilities, including Schedule 3 procedures and ambulatory nursing, and how their skills could be better utilised.

Most of the 89 respondents reported wanting more opportunities to carry out clinical tasks within the workplace, including wound management (57/76, 75%) and intramuscular injections (51/76, 67.1%). The most common barrier reported was lack of delegation (78.7%, 48/61). The most-identified factors that would make respondents feel more valued at work were more opportunities to utilise professional skills (22/53, 41.5%) and improved salary/benefits (13/53, 24.5%).

This study was conducted in a single corporate group, so generalisability may be limited. Social acceptability bias could also have influenced respondents' answers, despite the anonymity of the questionnaire.

Most respondents reported that they would highly value more opportunities for clinical progression and greater responsibilities, including within ambulatory services, with increased delegation of Schedule 3 procedures.