About the Author
Ken has spent nearly 20 years in practice. He obtained his VTS certification in emergency and critical care, as well as small animal internal medicine, and earned his master’s degree in Veterinary Science. He served as ICU Manager and Blood Bank Manager at Adobe Animal Hospital until 2018, and is now Program Director for the RECOVER CPR Initiative and simulation lab manager of the Park Veterinary Innovation Laboratory at Cornell University. He co-chairs the Veterinary Nurse Initiative and serves as a board member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians, and the Veterinary Innovation Council.
Written By This Author
Personal/Professional Development
An Updated View of Our Profession: The NAVTA 2022 Demographic Survey
The report contains sections with information on wages and hours, job satisfaction and wellness, utilization, and more, giving updated insight into each of these areas.Personal/Professional Development
Building Our Voice in Advocacy: The Government Relations Committee
NAVTA has launched the District Representative Committee and Government Relations Committee to usher in change for the profession through all levels of government.Practice Management
Be an Advocate for Better Pay
Everyone knows veterinary nurses/technicians simply don't make enough money. But advocating for better pay is difficult when official guidelines and comparisons don't exist.Personal/Professional Development
Step Up for Stronger Title Protection
A new NAVTA survey and report illustrates the vast differences amongst states when it comes to credential credibility and state laws.Personal/Professional Development
Breaking Down Veterinary Practice Acts and Our Credentials
When discussing these issues, it is helpful to ensure that we all have a good understanding of each aspect of our credential to have a productive discussion.Personal/Professional Development
Are Veterinary Nurses Paraprofessionals?
Whenever I hear the term “paraprofessional” used to describe our profession I have a gut reaction to say: “We’re professionals, thank you.
Personal/Professional Development
Pay Attention to Job Retention
The path to a happier team and practice is led by practice management willing to do more to support the team to keep them happy, as well as team members willing to give feedback and bring up new information.Personal/Professional Development
Perspectives on the Creation of Advanced Veterinary Nurse Degrees
Could an advanced veterinary nurse credential be on the horizon?Personal/Professional Development
Navigating the Veterinary Technician Credential Conversation
We are all aiming to elevate the profession and agree that standardizing the credentials is the way forward, leading to better consistency, recognition, mobility and reciprocity, and title protection.
Personal/Professional Development
The Road to Veterinary Nursing
Renaming veterinary technology programs to veterinary nursing programs is a major step for the VNI and the profession.
Personal/Professional Development
The Veterinary Technician Association’s Role in Public Education
Veterinary technician associations are on the front lines of advocating for the profession at the state level and providing public education so that the critical work performed by members of our profession is recognized.
Personal/Professional Development
A Focus on Utilization
There has been a significant amount of focus on veterinary technician utilization—or rather, underutilization—as an issue within our profession.
Practice Management
The Issue of Title Protection
What can we, as veterinary technicians who are feeling helpless and frustrated against the misuse of our professional title, do?
Personal/Professional Development
A Global Perspective on Veterinary Nursing
Many veterinary nurses and organizations across the globe seek to work collaboratively in standardizing credentialing and addressing the challenges facing veterinary nurses.
Personal Wellbeing
Nurture Wellbeing in the Veterinary Workplace
Burnout, compassion fatigue, work-related stress, depression, and suicide are words that we veterinary nurses are unfortunately familiar with.
Personal/Professional Development
Be a Force for Change and “Show Up”
It’s an exciting time for the veterinary nursing and technology profession—never before has the veterinary field been so focused on improving the sustainability of a career in veterinary nursing.
Personal/Professional Development
NAVTA Corner: The Value of VTS Credentials
The Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging was recognized by NAVTA as the 16th veterinary technician specialty.
Personal/Professional Development
The Need for a Standard in Veterinary Technician Credentials
Whether you are a part of the 81% who supported or remained neutral on the title change to “registered veterinary nurse” (RVN) or the 19% who preferred “veterinary technician” on the 2017 National Credential Survey, almost everyone agreed that standardizing of the profession’s credential requirements is important.
News
NAVTA 2018 Technician of the Year Award
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) presents annually the Veterinary Technician of the Year (TOY) Award to individuals who provide leadership to the profession and also contribute to the association’s goals and overall advancement in the field of veterinary nursing and technology.
Practice Management
Perception Is Often Reality
Many veterinarians find practice goals of simultaneously providing a high level of medical care and attaining acceptable profit margins can no longer be met without the care provided by credentialed veterinary technicians.
Personal/Professional Development
Veterinary Nurse Initiative: A Call to Action
The Veterinary Nurse Initiative is building momentum to create one title with set standards across the United States in 2018.
Personal/Professional Development
A Word From the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
Within our own profession lies confusion about the scope of duties of a CVT, RVT, LVT or LVMT.
Emergency Medicine/Critical Care
Critical Components to Successful CPR: The RECOVER Guidelines, Preparedness, and Team
Less than 6% of dogs and cats that experience cardiopulmonary arrest survive to discharge.
Practice Management
The Case for Veterinary Midlevel Professionals
This year, the 13th veterinary technician specialty—ophthalmology—was recognized by NAVTA.
Nutrition
How and Why to Feed Canine Parvovirus Patients Right Away
Canine parvovirus is a longstanding nemesis of veterinary professionals.