Campaign is just one part of a larger program aimed at elevating and advancing the role of Veterinary Technician/Nurse professionals.
ORLANDO, FL – Jan. 17, 2022 – The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) is participating in a nationwide campaign that will create greater consumer awareness and understanding of the role and significant educational requirements of Veterinary Technicians/Nurses. The goal of the campaign is to educate consumers and change perceptions and attitudes among pet parents so they feel more confident and accepting of having a qualified, certified veterinary technician/nurse care for their loved ones.
The consumer awareness campaign is just one part of a larger Veterinary Nurse Empowerment Initiative announced today by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC). The Veterinary Nurse Empowerment Initiative, sponsored by VCA, encompasses a wide range of programs that offer new resources and tools for veterinary nurses/technicians, encourage the next generation of these veterinary professionals, and bring together leaders from across the veterinary industry to address the challenges facing the veterinary nurse/technician profession.
“A more informed and educated consumer – and a more informed veterinarian and practice manager – will not only benefit veterinary nurses and technicians, but will also benefit the practices where they work,” said NAVTA President, Ed Carlson, CVT, VTS (Nutrition). “The ultimate result will be the delivery of better care for animals. Once this is accomplished, consumers will be as comfortable with a veterinary technician caring for their pet as they are with an RN caring for their loved one in a hospital.”
The consumer awareness campaign will focus on the extensive education, credentials, and skills performed by veterinary nurses and technicians. The campaign will address issues identified in a national survey developed by NAVC, NAVTA, and VCA that found that pet owners are not aware of and do not understand the role and education requirements of veterinary nurses/technicians. The survey revealed:
- Many pet owners are unaware of the broad range of services veterinary nurses and technicians perform. Nearly half (47%) of consumers do not think the role of a veterinary nurse/technician involves performing medical tasks and procedures.
- A majority (62%) are unaware that veterinary nurses/technicians can monitor and manage anesthetics during surgery, dispense medication, and perform diagnostic imaging.
- Most pet owners do not fully understand the extensive educational requirements, credentials and professional training that are required to become a veterinary nurse/technician. Sixty-three percent do not know that credentialed veterinary nurses/technicians are the animal healthcare equivalent of registered nurses (RNs) in human healthcare.
- One in five (20%) consumers think a veterinary nurse/technician has less than two years of post-secondary education.
- Nearly 7 out of every 10 (69%) pet parents in the U.S. report feeling more confident and comfortable with the level of care provided to their pets after learning about veterinary nurses/technicians and their required level of education and expertise.
NAVC CEO Gene O’Neill said, “Veterinary nurses and technicians play a vital role in veterinary medicine and are essential members of the veterinary practice team…They are phlebotomists, anesthetists, ultrasonographers, surgical technicians, dental hygienists and more, who are highly educated and skilled. Yet NAVC’s own research shows they use less than one-third of the competencies they are trained to perform. By elevating this critical position and helping veterinary nurses and technicians reach their full potential, we will help improve the performance of our veterinary healthcare teams and the health of animals everywhere.”
About NAVTA
NAVTA is a US-based not-for-profit membership community of more than 8,000 Credentialed Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and other veterinary support staff involved in veterinary care. NAVTA advances the profession of veterinary technology and veterinary nursing through its advocacy and awareness programs, and by providing continuing professional development opportunities. NAVTA supports the veterinary technology and veterinary nursing profession with a host of programs and benefits, available at https://navta.net/membership/
About the NAVC
The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing veterinary professionals worldwide. The world’s leading provider of veterinary continuing education, the NAVC delivers essential training, tools and resources for veterinary professionals to stay abreast of advances in animal medicine and provide the best medical care for animals everywhere. Through its commitment to innovation and excellence, the NAVC has developed a diverse portfolio of products and services, including: educational events, headlined by VMX, the world’s largest, most comprehensive continuing education conference and launchpad for new products and innovations within the veterinary industry; a robust digital platform for virtual learning and engagement; the veterinary industry’s largest and award-winning portfolio of trade publications; and an advocacy arm which unites the veterinary community and pet lovers. The NAVC was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL. Since 2017, the NAVC has been recognized annually as one of the Top Workplaces by the Orlando Sentinel. To learn more about the NAVC’s products and brands, visit https://navc.com/. To see our schedule of upcoming events, visit https://navc.com/calendar/.
About VCA
VCA Animal Hospitals operates more than 1,000 small animal veterinary hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Japan. The hospitals are staffed by more than 4,500 fully qualified, dedicated and compassionate veterinarians to give pets the very best in medical care, of which over 600 are board certified specialists who are experts in areas such as internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, emergency and critical care, and surgery for animals. VCA Animal Hospitals provides a full range of general practice services to keep pets well and specialized treatments when pets are ill. As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, VCA is committed to the Mars Petcare purpose—A Better World for Pets™ www.vcahospitals.com
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