Nursing Consults

How they can add value to your business

Aim

• To offer a professional, competitively priced service to our clients that will increase the overall probability of the business.

Nursing Consults

A consultation offered by a qualified Veterinary Nurse to the public and their animals. Advantages:• Cheaper than a Veterinarian consultation• Increased income • Establishes the role of the Veterinary Nurse in

the public eye

When?

• To begin with nurse consults will be offered once a week, on a Friday afternoon between the hours of 3pm and 6pm

Cost?

• To begin with there will be no upfront charge for a nurse consultation. Income will be focused on recommendations of the nurse e.g diet, parasite control, routine surgery, supplements

How

• Nurse consultations will be carried out in the second consultation room. The consultation room will be fully stocked and be maintained in a professional manner

Promoting nurse consults

• All existing clients will be notified of the new service by an email advertisement. “Free nursing consults, ask in store today” will be written on the black board that sits on the footpath. Flyers will be available to give to clients from the reception desk advertising the service

Complimenting the Vets

• Nursing consults will relieve a lot of work off the veterinarians for tasks that a nurse is qualified to do, therefore allowing the veterinarian more time to do the tasks nurse’s can not perform = increased income

Introducing nurse consults

First two months• Nail trimming, anal gland expression, stitch

removals, advise on weight management, diet and parasite control (pilling cats/dogs)

Months three and four• All the above + administering booster

vaccinations, on-going drug therapy (pentosan, dectomax injections etc)

Introducing nurse consults 2

Months five and six• All the above + diagnostic sampling (taking

blood for routine testing, FNA’s, cellotape slides etc)

Scenario oneClient sees veterinarian and her dog is prescribed a course of dectomax injections for demodectic mainge. First one

administered by veterinarian

Client returns every week for a 15 minute consultation with nurse who administers dectomax injection, inspects and reports notes on animals progress and advises on diet, supplements and parasite control. If condition has not

improved or worsened, refer back to veterinarian

After 8 week course of dectomax injections the nurse takes a skin scraping and checks under the microscope for

evidence of demodectic mainge. If none are apparent the dog does not require any more injections and is discharged.

Scenario two

Client seen by veterinarian with dog who has on going skin issues. Veterinarian diagnoses FAD and advises treating with comfortis every 3 weeks

Client brings dog in every 3 weeks for nurse to administer comfortis flea tablet, and to check skin for any irritation. If client is concerned, or problems are still persisting refer back to veterinarian

Client continues to bring in dog every 3 weeks for nurse to administer flea tablet and check skin, until client is comfortable enough to tablet at home and happy that skin has resolved.

Summary

Nurse consults:• Increased earnings• Expand client base• Promote the veterinary nurse profession• Veterinarians have more time to do

veterinarian only tasks• Happier and more productive work place