I imagine that you are just sitting down after your one-millionth microchip appointment, cup of tea in hand.
At least, I hope you haven’t developed a microchip-induced repetitive strain injury and can still hold a cuppa!
While microchips have likely been the bane of most VNs over the last few weeks, for me they have been a welcome, role-affirming, confidence-boosting nursing standard. See, I am just returning to work after an extended maternity leave. Calculate a drug dose? Better check the chart. Collect a blood sample? Maybe I should hold. Monitor an anaesthetic? Eeeek! Chip a dog? Yes! No problem! Being away from the workplace can knock your confidence.
Recent data shows us that only 5% of VNs return to work following maternity leave. At BVNA we are very interested in why that is, and want to understand why many VNs with families leave the profession. Our President, Sam Morgan, brought this issue to the Joint Officers meeting at BSAVA, and you certainly can expect more from BVNA on this issue in the future. In the meantime, we encourage our members to contact us with their experiences.
Remember that reading your VNJ counts as CPD time, and that by completing the multiple-choice questions you can log that time as structured study. This month we not only have excellent clinical articles, but also a research study conducted by a VN as well. Boost your confidence by keeping current!
Executive Editor