Ethical, legal and professional implications of student veterinary nurses working lone shifts

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the ethical dilemma of student veterinary nurses (SNVs) working lone shifts. The article outlines the implications of SVNs undertaking duties outside the realms of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) Schedule 3. Criminal, civil and professional consequences of such actions are explored with the aid of theoretical explanations. Finally the article recognises that SVNs are not substitutes for registered veterinary nurses and that using them as substitutes will bring about a series of ethical implications.