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Excellent surgical nursing is a crucial component of every surgical procedure. While the attending veterinarian is the team member who provides the surgical skill and oversees the entire process, the direct hands-on surgical nursing falls into the realm of the veterinary technician. Together the surgeon and the surgical technician create a team that can deliver quality surgical services for their patients.
Many veterinary technicians looking for opportunities to enhance their skills and contribute more to the veterinary team will find this area of practice very satisfying. For example, viewing each patient as an individual and being familiar with the procedure being performed helps to determine the patient's analgesia requirements, pre, peri and post operatively, all with a goal to prevent wind up and enhance patient recovery.
Basic Principles of Surgical Nursing will help participants learn to identify important surgical instruments as well as integrate proper sterilization techniques. Patient preparation and monitoring is covered in depth, including catheter and endotracheal placement, as well as preparing the patient in an aseptic manner, as indicated for the appropriate procedures. Patient monitoring is critical during surgical procedures and this course covers a variety of monitoring devices including troubleshooting guidelines should an emergency occur.
Client education is also essential in patient care and participants will be able to create discharge instruction specific to the patient's procedure and follow up care. This course includes challenging assignments that will require the student to utilize professional experience and critical thinking skills, along with new concepts and knowledge acquired through the course materials. |
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Prepare the surgical suite for pending procedures
- Identify medical instruments and their usage
- Demonstrate the preparation of the patient for surgical procedures including IV catheterization, intubation, and preparation of the surgical site
- Appropriately position and ready the patient on the surgical table for common abdominal, ophthalmic and orthopedic procedures
- Employ proper hand washing, masking, gloving and gowning techniques and maintain proper surgical nursing decorum
- Define and apply the concepts of asepsis, sterile field, and surgical conscience
- List and describe the functions of anesthesia monitoring devices
- Recognize the various suture patterns and explain their usage
- Identify and anticipate common problems that may arise during surgical procedures
- Implement safe post-surgical monitoring techniques as well as recognize potential complications
- Define the key terms associated with pain management and the importance of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative analgesia
- Utilize appropriate sterilization techniques for surgical equipment
- Compose and relate comprehensive discharge instructions for the pet owner
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This 6-week course discusses the basic elements and components of the surgery suite along with patient care and monitoring before, during and after surgery. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the surgery equipment, including anesthesia machines, surgery monitors and instruments. Patient preparation, including catheter placement, endotracheal intubation and aseptic prep techniques are covered. |
Small Animal Surgical Nursing, 2nd Edition Authored by: Marianne Tear, MS, LVT; Elsevier
Important Text Information:
It is mandatory that each participant has access to this textbook as the content of the book is not reproduced within the course. It is up to each person to determine the best way to acquire the text. Some will already have the text in their library and therefore will not need to purchase another copy. Where to purchase and in what format is totally up to the participant. The text is not included in the fee for this course.
The text is available as a print publication and as an eBook. One option is to purchase the text from Elseiver. The following link to the text on their website is provided as a courtesy.
Purchase Text From Elsevier
Important: Regardless of which option the participant chooses, access to a copy of the textbook is mandatory. Without the text the student will not be able to complete the assignments, case studies and examinations. If enrolling close to or beyond the course start date, it is recommended that the text be purchased as an eBook to prevent text acquisition related delays. VetMedTeam has no control over shipping delays and other related problems.
Limited Quantity eBook Code Offer:
VetMedTeam has a limited number of eBook text codes available for purchase. The cost of the eBook via this option is $38.00. If you are interested in purchasing a code please email us at CE@vetmedteam.com. VetMedTeam cannot guarantee the availability of codes so please look into other options while waiting for a reply. |
...Although I have work in emergency & critical care for 10 years, I did pick up a few pointers that will make me a better surgical tech.
...I enjoyed the class. I liked the book and read every page of it. Even thought my animal hospital doesn't do many of the specialized surgeries I still liked learning about them and the different tools and equipment available.
...I liked the portion where actual hands on activities were necessary because I was able to learn more efficiently.
...I really appreciated the e-book associated with this class and the fact that the book was purchased and usable after the course has ended.
... The case studies were the most beneficial to me. My goal is to be able to respond quicker in emergency situations. These really made me have to think things through...to cover all the possible reasons or explanations of why each situation occurred.
...I found the suturing portion very valuable.
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VetMedTeam courses are asynchronous - they do not contain real time components. Students log in while the course is in session at times convenient to personal schedules and participants do not have to be online at specific times to attend lectures. |
Completed students are awarded a certificate of completion. Completion requirements include:
- Interactive Assignments and Case Studies: Practical in nature - designed to help the student apply the newly learned material
- Examinations: All examinations must be submitted with a score of 80% or better.
- Course survey
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This course is designed for the technician seeking to provide surgical nursing focused on the patient as an individual and who wish to expand their skill and knowledge in this area.
This course was developed for students currently working in a veterinary hospital. The assignments are practical and the student will need to use practice resources to complete.
The average student will spend 3-5 hours per week in order to complete all the mandatory requirements. |
Course meets the requirements for 15.00 RACE hours of continuing education credit for veterinary technicians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval. However, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery. |
Participants may enroll in this course after it has begun, up to the enrollment deadline date. Participants who enroll after the start date do not miss out on any components of the course.
There are no real time sessions.
The design of this course allows each participant to proceed based on individual schedule, as long as all assignments are submitted by the assignment submission deadline |
This course utilizes content from Small Animal Surgical Nursing, 2nd Edition by Marianne Tear, MS, LVT; 2011 Elsevier |
 Teresa Sonsthagen, BS, LVT
Teresa works in the Animal Sciences Department at North Dakota State University in the Veterinary Technology Program. She has been there since 1981 and enjoys interacting with students and sharing her love of the profession with them. She is one of the advisors for the Veterinary Technology Club at NDSU.
Teresa is an active member of the North Dakota Veterinary Technician Association having served in various officer positions and currently is their webmaster. She is an active member of the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators serving as their Secretary/Treasurer.
Teresa is the author of "Veterinary Instruments and Equipment – a pocket guide" and co-author of "Animal Restraint for Veterinary Professionals" both published by Elsevier. She has also contributed to "Mosby's Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians."
On VetMedTeam she instructs the "Your Professional Image" course, the "Basic Principles of Surgical Nursing" course and is co-instructor of the "VetMedTeam Veterinary Assistant Program".
She shares a home with her husband, Brian and two dogs Gus "a bad example of a English Cocker" and Rubi a mini-weinie. She is also very active with her church as the Adult Bell Choir director and their webmaster. |
July 01, 2013 - Registration deadline is 11:30 PM Eastern July 10, 2013
October 01, 2013 - Registration deadline is 11:30 PM Eastern October 10, 2013
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