Nursing Progress Log
Skills list
Note – students must be able to carry out all skills effectively and safely (this is assumed throughout)
Important note regarding core unit skills
Skills in core units must be gained in relation to the care of small animals, which should include dogs, cats and exotic species.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 Understanding the operational requirements of a veterinary practice
Manually handle and move materials and equipment loads safely
Store equipment and materials in a way that enables safe manual
handling
Complete a risk assessment for one area of the practice and instigate
appropriate action
Maintain stock in the examination room
Follow practice procedure for ordering supplies
Identify and dispose of surplus and outdated stock
Follow practice protocol to report damage to and malfunction of
accommodation and/or equipment
Ability to move a variety of loads
demonstrating safe technique. Taking
into account positioning of load, weight,
stability, and handler factors.
Taking into account accessibility, use of
aids
EC1B
EC1B
EC1A
Keep stock in optimum condition for use
taking in to account stock rotation, expiry
dates and storage temperatures
EC4A
EC4A
EC4A
EC6A
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
-1-
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
2 Professional relationships and communication for veterinary nursing practice
Make appointments for consultations and for medical and surgical
Use a variety of means (face-to-face,
procedures
telephone) Reasons for appointment
must include first opinion, emergency,
follow up and a variety of
surgical/medical procedures
Register new clients and new patients
Use a variety of means (face-to-face,
telephone)
Take and record payments accurately
To include credit card, cheque and
insurance claims
Maintain client records and documentation appropriately
Following practice protocol, to include
dealing with insurance forms
Exhibit client-focussed behaviour and personal presentation
To include approach, personal
appearance and attitude
Communicate effectively with clients
Use a variety of means (face-to-face,
telephone). Follow practice protocol to
achieve client satisfaction (pay attention
to appearance, choice of vocabulary and
non-verbal communication)
Produce clear written clinical records (observations, nursing reports and
client instructions)
EC3A, EC3B
EC3A, EC3B
EC3A
EC3A
EC3A
EC3A
EC3A
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
-2-
1
2
3 Applied animal welfare, health and husbandry for veterinary nurses
Demonstrate correct techniques for handling, holding, restraining,
approaching, catching and moving of animals for examination. During the
procedure ensure health, safety and welfare for the animals and people
involved.
Clean and maintain accommodation.
To include cat, dog and a variety of
exotics.
Exotics may include guinea pigs, rabbits,
birds, rodents and reptiles
EC4B
To include cat, dog and a variety of
exotics.
Exotics may include guinea pigs, rabbits,
birds, rodents and reptiles
EC6A
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
-3-
1
4 Infection control in veterinary practice
Select and constitute appropriate cleaning and disinfectant solutions
2
Demonstrate methodical and effective cleaning technique in order to
maintain hygiene throughout the entire practice
3
Handle and dispose of hazardous or offensive biological materials: body fluids
 faeces
 tissue
 cadavers
Demonstrate methodical and effective hand hygiene
4
5
Exhibit personal hygiene, wear appropriate disposable protective
clothing and dress appropriately to ensure minimal infection risk
Taking into account safe and effective use,
susceptibility of different classes of
organisms such as viruses and bacteria
To include consulting rooms, kennels,
laboratory areas, isolation and operating
theatres
EC6A
EC6A
EC1A
Using the World Health Organisation
method
Taking into account personal hygiene,
appropriate personal protective
equipment, infection risks of jewellery, nail
varnish, hair, sleeves and footwear
EC1B
EC1B
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
-4-
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
5 Essentials of practical veterinary nursing care for hospitalised animals
Prepare and maintain accommodation for in-patients taking into account
species and clinical condition
Assess and record overall animal condition and demeanour to include
signs of pain and anxiety
Assess and record temperature, pulse, respiration, colour of mucous
membranes and level of consciousness
Observe and monitor intake and excretion
Groom and bathe patients appropriately according to species
Provide food and fluids to patients taking into account:
 medical dietary requirements
 species and size of animal
 normal feeding regimes
Hand feed patients
Administer tube feeds
Administer solutions for oral re-hydration
Assemble fluid therapy equipment and materials
Monitor the administration of fluid therapy and recognise problems with
flow rate or catheter site should these arise
Apply simple wound dressings using aseptic technique
Apply simple bandages that:
 retain dressings effectively
 support limbs
Observe and report the condition of wounds
Use strategies and devices to prevent patient interference with wounds
Interpret prescriptions and prepare medicines for administration:
 oral
 topical
 parenteral
Administer oral and apply topical medications
Administer rectal medication or enemata
Correctly reconstitute medicines according to manufacturer’s
instructions
To include substrates and bedding
materials
To include appearance and behaviour
EC6A
To include assisting with recovery from
anaesthesia
To include urine, faeces, vomitus/ gastric
reflux
To include cleansing of orifices
EC6B
EC6B
EC6B
EC6B
EC6B
EC6B
EC6B
EC6B
EC6C
EC6C
EC6B
EC6B
Written and oral communication
Bandages, Elizabethan collars, bitter
sprays and/or
Equine cradles, rugs, bibs, cribbox
application
EC6B
EC6B
EC13B
EC13B
EC13B
EC13B
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
-5-
20
Draw up medicines for parenteral administration with regard to safety,
accuracy and asepsis
EC13B
21
Administer medications by injection: subcutaneous
 intramuscular
Dispose of used materials: ampules
 syringes
 needles
Interpret care plans and deliver prescribed nursing care
 perioperative nursing
 medical nursing
Communicate effectively on and record in-patient progress
EC13B
22
23
24
EC13B
Use a care plan to inform delivery of
nursing care for medical and surgical
related problems
Report observations of animals effectively
to colleagues to include oral and written
communication
EC6B
EC6B
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
-6-
1
2
3
4
5
6
6 Supporting the supply of veterinary medication
Interpret prescriptions and prepare medication for dispensing
Handle, dispense and label medication taking into account health and
safety, legal requirements and practice protocols
Advise clients on safe and correct routes of administration, potential
side effects, storage and disposal of medication
Explain to clients suitable techniques for administering medication to
include: instruction
 demonstration
 written guidance
Maintain records of Schedule 2 medications (Controlled Drugs) in
accordance with legal requirements and practice policy
Dispose of unused pharmaceuticals
Calculate and dispense the required
dosage, quantity and frequency of
administration of medication taking into
account safe handling of medicines.
To include appropriate use of personal
protective equipment
To include safe handling and personal
protective equipment requirements
Must include pitching level of instruction
and guidance, checking owner
understanding, appropriate follow up.
To include withdrawal times for production
animals
EC13A
EC13A
EC13A
EC13A
EC13A
EC13A
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
-7-
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
7 Veterinary Nursing Support of Diagnostic Imaging
Maintain and ensure personal safety and that of others when working
with ionising radiation: wear/place dose meters appropriately
 use and observe warning lights/signs
 use screens and observe a safe distance
 wear PPE
 check and care for PPE
Prepare diagnostic imaging equipment for radiography to include:
 X-ray machine
 cassette +/- grid
 positioning aids
 markers
Process radiographs according to practice policy
Evaluate the quality of radiographs and identify faults
Prepare and maintain ultrasound equipment
Prepare, maintain, store and clean endoscopes
Prepare and support animals during endoscopy or ultrasound
investigations
Demonstrate the position of anatomical landmarks in intact animals
Position patients for the following views:
 carpus (dorsopalmar and mediolateral)
 elbow (craniocaudal and lateral)
 shoulder (craniocaudal)
 cervical spine (lateral)
 thoraco-lumbar spine (lateral)
 lumbo-sacral spine (lateral)
 hips/pelvis (ventrodorsal)
 stifle (caudocranial and mediolateral)
 hock (dorsoplantar and mediolateral)
 abdomen (ventrodorsal and lateral)
 thorax (dorsoventral or ventrodorsal and lateral)
To include dosemeters, lead aprons, lead
gloves and thyroid protectors
PPE = Personal protective equipment
EC9B
EC9A
To include scanner, probes and
transducers
Care of fibre optics, PPE
To include cat, dog and a variety of
exotics.
Exotics may include guinea pigs, rabbits,
birds, rodents and reptiles
To include correct use of positioning aids
and markers along with correct collimation
and centring. Should include a range of
small animal species
EC9B
EC9B
EC9A
EC9A
EC9A
EC9B
EC9B
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
-8-
1
8 Veterinary nursing support of laboratory diagnostics
Prepare animals for collection of the following samples: blood
 urine
 hair/skin
 tissue biopsies
To include patient checks, safe handling
and moving and appropriate positioning
and restraint
EC8
2
Take the following samples: urine
 faeces
 hair/skin
 blood
3
Prepare diagnostic test equipment and materials for the following
sample: blood
 urine
 hair/skin
 tissue biopsies
4
Package and label the following samples: blood
 urine
 skin/hair
 tissue biopsies
 microscope slides
EC8
5
6
Store specimens correctly prior to dispatch
Complete the following laboratory documentation: internal practice records
 external laboratory request forms and documentation
Prepare the following samples for evaluation: blood smear
 urine sediment
 swabs
 skin scrapes
 PCV
Use the following laboratory equipment: analysers
 refractometer
EC8
EC8
7
8
EC8
To include haematology and biochemistry
on blood samples only
EC8
PCV = packed cell volume
EC8
Analysers to include biochemistry and
haematology
Commercial test kits could be SNAP© or
EC8
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
-9-
9
10
11
12
 commercial test kits
 centrifuge
Use a microscope: Low magnification
 High magnification
Identify damage to laboratory testing equipment and materials and
follow practice reporting protocol
Identify inconsistencies and/or inaccuracies in test results
Record laboratory test results and communicate accurately to the
appropriate clinician
reagent test strips
EC8
EC8
EC8
EC8
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
- 10 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
9 Supporting veterinary operating theatre practice
Clean the operating theatre, including after infected cases



Behave appropriately in the operating theatre: personal hygiene
 theatre clothing
 movement and speech
 personal safety and safety of others
Prepare the theatre for use: equipment
 materials
Position animals on the operating table
in line with the planned procedure
Carry out final skin preparation
Assist the surgeon to don sterile gown and gloves
Open and pass sterile materials: directly to scrubbed personnel
 onto a sterile field
 Assist, handle and pass instruments and equipment during surgical
procedures

Demonstrate methodical hand-hygiene: hand-washing for theatre practice
 surgical scrubbing procedure
Scrub up to assist with a surgical procedure: wear sterile gown
 gloves
 cap and mask
 maintain sterility of self, other operator(s) and materials
Keep track of materials during surgery: swab count
EC10A
Personal hygiene to include general
cleanliness, jewellery, hair, nail varnish.
Theatre clothing – use of scrubs
Movement in relation to the sterile field
and scrubbed personnel. Speech in
relation to droplet aerosol contamination
and use of masks
To include laying out a surgical equipment
trolley
EC11A

EC10B
Including the use of aids, table position
and lighting
According to practice protocol
Maintain asepsis
Avoid leaning over sterile fields, dust
aerosol and sliding pack contents over
unsterile edges
To include: passing items, including blades
managing powered equipment
mounting and demounting blades
ancillary surgical equipment
EC10A
EC10B
EC11A
EC11A
EC11A
EC11A
Competent in both open and closed
gloving methods
EC11A
EC10A
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
- 11 -
13
14
15
16
17
18
 instrument count
 blade and needle count
Handle tissue during surgical procedures
Dispose of used equipment: sharps
 swabs
 tissue
 body fluids
Clean and disinfect surgical instruments
Identify and report wear or damage to equipment and instruments
Prepare and package instruments and materials for sterilisation: drapes and gowns
 single instruments
 instrument sets
Sterilise surgical equipment and instruments
For example retraction techniques and use
of swabs
EC11A
EC11A
Taking into account working surfaces, care
of hinges and delicate items, to include
hand cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning
EC10A
EC10A
EC10A
Operation of the autoclave to include
safety, loading and monitoring of effective
sterilisation
EC10A
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
- 12 -
1
2
10 Practical monitoring of small animal veterinary anaesthesia
Check and prepare anaesthetic machine, breathing system and
scavenging system according to practice protocol
Locate and select the appropriate preparation and concentration of
pharmaceuticals
3
Prepare materials and equipment needed for induction of anaesthesia
4
Restrain an animal and present a suitable raised vein for cannulation or
injection of an induction agent
Prepare and present the animal for intubation
Introduce endotracheal tubes: check position of tube
 inflate cuff
 secure tube
 attach to circuit
Transfer anaesthetised animals safely into the operating theatre
Set up and use monitoring equipment:-
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Monitor patients and accurately record observations during the course
of an anaesthetic. Interpret and report observations to the directing
veterinary surgeon: TPR
 depth of anaesthesia
Checks monitoring equipment during anaesthetic procedures if the
patient observations suggest that there may be a problem in the : breathing circuits and endotracheal tube
 gases and volatile agents
 patient monitoring systems
Calculate, administer and alter gaseous anaesthesia under veterinary
direction
Disconnect patients from anaesthetic equipment and materials
according to practice protocols
To include cleaning and care of
EC12A
Following veterinary instruction to include
consumables, medications and
intravenous fluids
To include consumables, drugs and
intravenous fluids, laryngoscope,
endotracheal tubes
Taking into account positioning
EC12A
All points to be completed to achieve the
skill
May include:
 pulse oximeter
 capnograph
 ECG
 oesophageal stethoscope
Use of anaesthetic monitoring charts.
Depth to include palpebral reflex, eye
position, muscle tone and pedal reflex
TPR = temp, pulse, resp
Check power supply, connections, supply
of gases and volatile agents and the
correlation of equipment readouts with the
condition of the patient
EC12A
EC12B
EC12C
EC12C
EC12B
EC12A
EC12C
EC12C
EC12C
EC12C
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
- 13 -
13
14
15
16
Set up a suitable recovery environment for anaesthetic recovery
Position patients for recovery according to species and surgical
procedure undertaken
Extubate patients at appropriate stage of recovery
Monitor and record animals recovery and identify abnormalities. Report
findings to the supervising veterinary surgeon
EC11B
EC11B
Recognition of when to extubate
Key observations and changes
EC12C
EC11B
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
- 14 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
11 Practical peri-operative veterinary nursing support
Hand patients over for anaesthesia: information
 calming patient
Prepare operation sites: care and use of clippers
 identification of site
 initial skin scrub
 foot bandaging
Receive patients from the operating theatre/recovery area: handover information
 observation
 handling of patient
Prepare suitable post-operative nursing environments, taking into
account: species
 condition
 procedure
Observe and monitor post-operative patients: vital signs
 wound appearance/drainage
 pain and stress
 fluid intake and nutritional status
Plan, implement and evaluate nursing care plans to address needs of
post-operative and convalescent patients: fluid and nutrition
 urination and defaecation
 mobility, exercise
 pain management, alleviation of stress
 Deliver species specific peri-operative nursing care to patients, for
example, to include: elective surgery
 emergency surgery
 minor procedures
 major procedures
 orthopaedic procedures
Care for surgical wounds: observation
 management of drainage
EC12B
EC10B
EC11B
EC11B
EC11B
EC6B
Immediate post-operative care to include
food and fluid intake, elimination, pain
management and wound management.
Should include a range of cats, dogs and
exotics
EC11B
EC11B
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
- 15 -
9
10
 dressing and bandaging
 removal of drains, closures
 preventing interference
Plan for discharge and home care, taking into account: condition of patient
 home circumstances
Provide discharge information and guidance to owners: oral
 written
 teaching of practical techniques e.g. giving medication
EC7C
EC7C
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
- 16 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
12 Practical veterinary nursing support of small animal patients
Plan, deliver and evaluate care for animals with a range of conditions,
using an appropriate model and framework, to include a minimum of
four of the following conditions : Circulatory or respiratory disorder
 Urinary tract disorder
 Endocrine disorder
 Neurological disorder
 Alimentary tract disorder
 Reproductive tract disorder
 Disorder of the sense organs
Prepare and maintain a suitable environment for patients taking in to
account: species
 age
 condition
 normal routines of the patient
 welfare considerations
Communicate with the veterinary team in relation to the evaluation and
review of nursing care
Carry out effective isolation nursing to include: preparing accommodations
 protective clothing
 hand hygiene
 fomites
 cleaning and disinfection
 caring for isolated patients
Provide wound management to include: accurate assessment
 taking swabs
 irrigation
 selection and application of dressings
 selection and application of retaining bandages
 client education
Administer complex medications to include: infused medications
 intravenous bolus medications
Include a range of species, age ranges
and medical conditions to demonstrate
overall competence.
EC6B
Include a range of species, age ranges
and medical conditions to demonstrate
overall competence.
EC4A
Written and oral
EC6B
Isolation nursing and/or reverse isolation
nursing
Caring for isolated patients to include
reduction of stress and keeping patients
company
EC6B
EC6B
EC13B
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
- 17 -
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Place or assist with placement of and management of naso-gastric or
oesophageal tubes
Manage indwelling urinary catheters
Manage bowel function to include: Administration of laxatives
 Enemas
Provide physical therapy/rehabilitation
Devise appropriate home-care plans for animals with chronic illness: in consultation with the owner and veterinary team
 including verbal and written guidance
 providing information for emergency contact
Provide care for terminally ill animals and their owners: preparing the owner for loss
 caring for the animal sensitively
 supporting an owner through euthanasia
 providing follow-up support for a bereaved owner
Conduct effective nursing consultations to include: history taking
 appropriate examinations
 identifying cases for referral to a veterinary surgeon
 administering treatments
 communication with clients
 record keeping
EC6B
May include placement of urinary
catheters but must include catheter care
EC6B
EC6B
For example thoracic coupage, passive
limb exercises and active exercise
EC6B
EC7A
EC7A
EC7A
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
- 18 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
13 Principles of small animal veterinary nursing emergency and critical care
Triage patients to include: unconscious patients
 compromised airway
 haemorrhage
 fractures
Demonstrate first aid treatment techniques, to manage:Use simulation and first aid mannequins
 unconsciousness
where appropriate in the interests of
 compromised airway
animal welfare
 haemorrhage and wounds
 fractures
Prepare for the admission of emergency patients, to include:Take into account access for observation
 suitable environment
and nursing, bedding, proximity of
 equipment and materials
electrical supply and oxygen and
observation charts
Placing peripheral intravenous catheters: dog
 cat
Care for animals with an in situ intravenous catheter to include: catheter site observation and care
 maintaining patency
 on-going fluid therapy
Provide care for a critically ill patient, to include:Include a range of species, age ranges
 breathing and cardiovascular function
and conditions to demonstrate overall
 nutrition and fluid balance
competence.
 mobility and positioning
 hygiene
 maintaining body temperature
 pain and stress
Monitor critically ill patients
To include basic vital signs, blood
pressure monitoring, pulse oximetry and
neurological observations
Administer oxygen therapy
EC5
EC5
EC5
EC5
EC5
EC5
EC6B
EC5
EC5
Final draft April 2010
Amended April 11
- 19 -