When Is Vet Nurse Day? 2024 Update & How to Celebrate It
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One of the most essential aspects of being a pet parent is ensuring that your furry companion is always healthy and in good shape. That said, while it’s your job to keep your pet happy and content, their health is not always in your hands.
Instead, you need to rely on veterinarians and veterinary staff, including vet nurses, to keep your pets healthy. Vet nurses are crucial members of the vet team, which is why there’s an annual event of appreciation for them, also known as Vet Nurse Day.
This year, Vet Nurse Day is on October 13. The event is all about showing appreciation and raising awareness of the services that vet nurses provide to the community and the vet industry.
In this article, we talk about veterinary nurses and their responsibilities, the history behind Vet Nurse Day and its importance, and the ways that you can commemorate this special day.
What Is a Veterinary Nurse?
If you’re a pet parent, you’ve probably had your share of experiences with vet nurses; but what exactly is a veterinary nurse? What do they do?
Vet nurses are similar to human nurses in that they are a member of the vet team and do their best to provide support and care for animals getting treatment within a particular veterinary practice.
This type of job is perfect for anyone interested in animal welfare and health. Being a vet nurse enables you to educate others on how to adequately care for their pets and provide them with the needed care that will ensure their well-being. Vet nurses also ensure that our furry companions are in the best possible shape even before they reach the veterinarian.
- Preparing the animals for surgical procedures
- Providing support to animals and their owners before and after any treatment or procedure
- Assisting in the operating theater when and if needed
- Carrying out all kinds of consultations and providing necessary information and advice to pet parents
- Observing the patients and their vital signs and recording any irregularities
- Applying bandages to the patient’s wounds and fractures
- Assisting the vet during emergencies and urgent procedures
- Taking radiographs and carrying out various diagnostic tests in the practice lab
- Dispensing medications and educating owners on how to use them properly
- Supporting and managing other staff members inside the practice
Throughout their career, vet nurses deal with animals of all species and sizes and with all kinds of medical conditions. They need to be readily prepared for all the possible experiences and reactions that they could encounter on the job.
Important Facts About Vet Nurses
Here are a few of the most important facts about the people who work in the vet industry:
- A survey of over 650 vet nurses revealed that 96% of respondents agreed that bullying and incivility was a severe issue in the profession.
- Over 80% of the vet nurses from the research shared their thoughts on the industry, claiming that veterinary nursing is an extremely stressful career.
- The projected growth rate for the veterinary nurse job is 20% from 2018 to 2028.
- The salaries for vet nurses have increased by around 12% in the last 5 years.
- Currently, over 98,744 veterinary nurses are employed in the U.S.
- Currently, there are over 17,000 active vet nurse job openings in the United States.
- Out of all vet nurses working in the industry in the U.S.A., 85.2% are women, and the remaining 14.8% are men.
The History of Vet Nurse Day
Vet Nurse Day was established as a way to show honor, appreciation, and respect for people working as veterinary nurses alongside veterinarians, helping animals heal and providing them with love, care, and protection. Vet nurses play a vital role in the proper care of our pets. They work 365 days a year, 24/7 hours a day, to keep our furry buddies safe, healthy, and in good shape.
Due to their constant support and efforts to keep our animal companions happy, we commemorate Vet Nurse Day every second Friday in October. The event was first created in 2008 and has been celebrated worldwide ever since.
This year, the Vet Nurse Day will be commemorated on October 13.
Why Is Vet Nurse Day Important?
Vet Nurse Day serves as a way of showing appreciation and gratitude to all the veterinary nurses across the world for caring for our beloved pets. This day helps raise awareness about the vital role that vet nurses have in the veterinary team. Although they go mainly unnoticed, vet nurses are the primary veterinary people who keep our furry companions in good shape and ensure that they’re provided with adequate care.
Overall, this day is all about veterinary nurses and showing the general public that they’re vital for running any veterinary practice and providing a high standard of animal care.
How Can You Commemorate Vet Nurse Day?
When it comes to pet parents and commemorating Vet Nurse Day, the best way to show your appreciation to vet nurses is to thank them for everything that they do. You can thank a vet nurse in person, send a gift card to your vet’s office, or give a shoutout to all vet nurses through social media using the hashtag, #VetNurseDay.
People who are interested in vet nursing can also use this day to get more information about the industry and possibly start their journey toward becoming a vet nurse themselves.
How Can Other Staff Members Treat Vet Nurses During This Special Day?
While we regular people are somewhat limited in how we can celebrate Vet Nurse Day and show appreciation for the people working in the veterinary industry, other staff members have creative options for treating their vet nurses on this special day.
- Provide vet nurses with trust and support in their daily obligations.
- Try to create a stress-free work environment where your vet nurses can work in peace.
- Empower your veterinary nurses and recognize their true worth and value.
- Share valuable resources with your clients to show how much you appreciate and value your vet nursing team.
- Create festivity in the workplace. Organize free drinks and food, offer small gifts, or set up a small gathering that will show your gratitude toward your co-workers.
Are There Any Other Holidays That Celebrate Veterinary Staff and Their Achievements?
Vet Nurse Day is a perfect holiday for celebrating veterinary nurses and everything that they do for our furry companions. Besides this special day, there are several other days dedicated to celebrating veterinary staff.
- Veterinary Receptionist Week (the last full week of April every year)
- World Veterinary Day (the last Sunday in April every year)
- National Veterinary Technician Week (the third week of every October)
- International Day of Veterinary Medicine (December 9)
How Long Does It Take to Become a Vet Nurse?
Being a vet nurse is a specific profession that requires dedication and knowledge, which is why becoming one is often a long path.
The process of becoming a veterinary nurse involves several different tasks, including:
- Graduating from high school — Before becoming a vet nurse, you’ll need to obtain a high school diploma or GED.
- Getting post-secondary education — To get a veterinary nursing degree, you’ll need to enroll in a college accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Depending on your preferences, you can earn a 2-year degree and become a vet technician or earn a 4-year degree and become a veterinary technologist.
- Getting a license/certification — Most vet nurse positions require you to have a license and a certification in animal studies.
Final Thoughts
Vet Nurse Day is a special day celebrated every second Friday in October. This year, the Vet Nurse Day is celebrated on October 13. All animal parents and enthusiasts can use this day to show appreciation and gratitude to vet nurses throughout the world and tell them a big thank you for everything that they do for our pets.
Featured Image Credit: antoniodiaz, Shutterstock
