About Rachael

Instructor Bio:

I qualified as a RVN in 2008, having spent a year in an equine practice before starting my training as a small animal nurse in a busy, fast paced practice. After graduating as an RVN from Hartpury College, I was soon inspired to train student nurses and quickly developed a love of anaesthesia so as soon as I was able to, I did my A1 Assessor qualification. After several years training nurses in practice, and gaining as much experience as possible in emergency care, I decided to join Warwickshire College. Here, I trained as an Internal Verifier for Veterinary Nursing, did some lecturing, and supported the students and clinical coaches within their practices, as well as working some shifts in a local emergency care clinic. I couldn't stay away from practice for too long though, so I eventually returned to practice and begun to pursue my interest in anaesthesia, pain and healing. In 2015 I completed the ESVPS Nursing Certificate in anaesthesia, after studying everything from pain pathways, to neuromuscular blockers, to anaesthetic emergencies. Using this knowledge in practice was amazing, and gaining the support of the Vets I worked with meant that we were able to offer the highest level of care to our patients. Following on from this, I continued by furthering my knowledge of healing, pain and rehabilitation by completing a Diploma in Animal Physiotherapy. I am on the IAAT register as a Veterinary Physiotherapist, and specialise in Class IV Laser therapy in horses and dogs. The study of pain is intertwined with anaesthesia, and I love being able to know I can help not only with post-anaesthesia protocols but also with rehabilitation of my patients. I now have my own small physiotherapy business – Cotswold Animal Therapy- and I also continue to work part time as a senior nurse in a large practice, getting stuck into high-risk GAs wherever possible. I can often be found guest lecturing at the local college on topics such as resuscitation, or delivering in-house CPD within our Veterinary Group. I am also harbouring plans to do an MSc in the future, if time allows! My passion is supporting students and newly qualified nurses, who can find that taking their first steps into practice is a little daunting. I hope to be able to share my experiences, and pass on some of the useful information I have gained over the last 13 years in practice to help allow RVNs and students to develop their nursing style.

Rachael McCooey

RVN A1/IQA NCert (anaesth) DipAPhys MIAAT.

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Preface

    Show Content
  • 02

    Module 1: Aims and Understanding of Anaesthesia and Equipment.

    Show Content

    • Module 1 Introduction

      FREE PREVIEW

    • The Aims of Anaesthesia.

    • The Anaesthetic Machine and its Components.

    • Common Breathing Systems.

    • Pre General Anaesthetic Checks.

    • Module 1 Quiz

    • Module 1 Conclusion Video
  • 03

    Module 2: Anaesthesia Planning and Considerations

    Show Content

    • Module 2 Introduction

      FREE PREVIEW

    • ASA Scoring.

    • Completion of GA Charts.

    • Premedication.

    • Pre-Medication Drugs of Choice.

    • Commonly used Anaesthetic Agents.

    • Common Analgesics and the Pain Pathway.

    • Module 2 Quiz.

    • Module 2 Conclusion Video.
  • 04

    Module 3: Anaesthetic Considerations "Delving Deeper", CPR and Emergencies

    Show Content

    • Mod 3 Introduction.

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Considerations for Specific Breeds and Life Stages.

    • Considerations for Specific Conditions and Procedures - Renal Considerations.

    • Considerations for Specific Conditions and Procedures - Hepatic Considerations.

    • Considerations for Specific Conditions and Procedures - Cardiac Considerations.

    • Considerations for Specific Conditions and Procedures - Pregnancy Considerations.

    • Considerations for Specific Conditions and Procedures - Diabetes & other Endocrinopathies.

    • Considerations for Specific Conditions and Procedures - Obesity.

    • Crash Situations and CPR.

    • Module 3 Quiz

    • Module 3 Conclusion.

Aims and Objectives

Anaesthesia: The Essential Toolbox for Veterinary Nurses

Module 1: Aims and Understanding of Anaesthesia and Equipment

Key Learning Objectives
•The Anaesthetic Triad
•Understanding the anaesthetic machine and its components
•Revision of common non-breathing and re-breathing systems.
•Why are pre anaesthetic assessments important?
•Understanding what to look out for in a pre-anaesthetic check.
•To understand and review the process for Pre-GA checks


Module 2: Anaesthesia Planning and Considerations

Key Learning Objectives
•An overview on the importance of a ASA scoring system.
•An overview on what to include and record on a GA chart.
•The understand the aims and methods of pre-medication and sedation use.
•Be able to review Injectable Anaesthetics.
•Be able to review Gaseous Anaesthetic Agents.
•To understand the effects of Alpha 2’s on the body.
•An overview of Hepatic and Renal effects of inhalational agents.
•Understanding the Pain Pathway and the pros and cons of NSAID use.
•NSAID effects on organ systems.


Module 3: Anaesthetic Considerations ‘Delving Deeper’, CPR and Emergencies

Key Learning Objectives
•To identify considerations for specific breeds and life stages (Neonates, Geriatric etc)
•Understanding anaesthesia for patients with Renal, Hepatic and Cardiac considerations.
•GA planning and pain relief considerations for the pregnant patient and C-Section surgery.
•Planning and monitoring a GA for the diabetic patient and other endocrinopathies
•Anaesthesia of the Obese patient.
•An overview of GA considerations for Ocular, GDV’s, Thoracic, Head Trauma Cases and Myelograms.
•Understanding the importance of a ‘Crash Plan’
•To recognise the physical and clinical signs of a Cardiac or Respiratory Arrest.
•A step by step guide to basic and Advanced life support and dealing with an arrest.
•Know the signs of a successful CPR.

Pricing options

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