Course description
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.
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.