Many countries around the world currently have no veterinary nursing profession, and challenges to animal welfare are common. This presentation will introduce the role of the professional veterinary nurse and discuss the role of veterinary nurses in supporting veterinary clinical excellence and improving animal welfare.

Professional veterinary nurses are instrumental in performing a multitude of tasks, freeing up time for the vets to focus on their areas of interest and improving patient welfare through supporting good standards of clinical practice and low-stress handling. The distinct role of veterinary nurses will be outlined, and their role in supporting good animal welfare and veterinary clinical excellence will be discussed.