Would you feel comfortable having a family member medically treated by improperly educated/trained staff?

Health sciences, including veterinary medicine, are crucial careers that require extensive knowledge and skill to practice. However, the State of Nevada Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (SNBVME) are attempting to lower the standards of education needed to become a Veterinary Nurse!

Veterinary nurses, also referred to as veterinary technicians, need to undergo a specialized education to understand, care, and protect the public of the complex and diverse patients of the animal kingdom. Allowing those with general animal science degrees to "train" on the job would fail not only our current/future veterinary workforce, but ultimately fail our pets, pet owners, livestock, food animals, wildlife, and communities. Veterinary nurses are the eyes and ears of veterinarians and report all findings; with the proposed lax protocols, it’s an offense to all those currently practicing and testing for licensure. An individual with a degree in animal nutrition will not understand multi-faceted knowledge of nursing such as the fundamental wound healing process, the physiological importance of each step, and what is considered normal vs. abnormal.

The veterinary nurse oath states, “I solemnly dedicate myself to aiding animals and society by providing excellent care and services for animals, by alleviating animal suffering, and by promoting public health…” Therefore, I can’t stand by and watch as the SNBVME attempt to flood the veterinary profession with improperly educated staff and neither should you. These are your pets at risk for malpractice and your community at risk for zoological diseases such as rabies. We need well educated veterinary professionals!

I implore you to sign and express your concern as well as make a call to the State of Nevada Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners at (775)688-1788 or email at vetbdinfo@vetboard.nv.gov.

Protect our pets, protect our communities, protect Nevada!