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ICU Nurse, Small Animal Hospital
College of Veterinary Medicine
YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: Three and a half.
JOB DESCRIPTION: “I’m one of 10 or 12 nurses who staff the intensive care unit 24 hours a day. I take care of the patients--mostly dogs and cats, sometimes the occasional bird, ferret or snake. There are always two nurses per shift and we’re basically the eyes for the doctors because they can’t be there all the time. We’re not only watching those patients and the changes that are going on with them throughout the day, but we’re the ones trying to get them to eat, giving them their medications, taking them outside, watching over them to see if they’re starting to have a problem. And lots of TLC -- you know, putting hands on them, that’s the most important thing because they’re in a really stressful situation. We also help instruct the students. I show them what we would typically do for patients recovering from different procedures, how to place catheters, draw blood, administer medications.”
A TYPICAL DAY FOR ME: “I come in early at 6 a.m. and read the medical histories the students write -- why the animal is there, what procedures were done the day before. Then I help the students get through their 8 a.m. treatments on their patients --drawing blood, cleaning cages, whatever.
MOST REWARDING PART OF MY JOB: “Seeing those animals that came in really sick when they’re okay--they’re walking and they’re healthy--and I know that I had a part in helping them get better. Their tails wag, you get kisses, it’s very nice. That’s why I like my job. For me it’s all about making their time in this hospital as pleasant and comfortable as I can.”
MOST CHALLENGING PART OF MY JOB: “The hardest part is dealing with the very sick critical cases that don’t make it. We see the worst of the worst come through ICU, so you have to separate yourself from it and not take it home with you. I find the good in it by trying to make them comfortable while they’re here.”
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE: “I’ve worked for about 10 years helping with everything from puppy shots to emergency work--animals with gunshot wounds, hit by cars, hurt in fights, poisoned, having seizures, that kind of thing.”
IF I WERE NOT DOING THIS JOB, I WOULD MOST LIKE TO: “I always want to work with animals and eventually want to get into wildlife rehabilitation. But I’m also hoping to go back to school because I want to study art education. I draw and enjoy painting and pottery.”
OFF-THE-JOB INTERESTS: “My animals. I have three cats and seven dogs--two mixed breed, a Lab, two beagles, a schnauzer and a Chihuahua that’s nine weeks old. It’s just like having a newborn--feedings every three hours all through the night for weeks. His mom was killed by another dog when he was a day old. I also like to read and enjoy making jewelry.”
FAVORITE MUSIC: “Classic rock like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.”
A BOOK I WOULD RECOMMEND TO OTHERS: “She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb. It’s about a girl who grew up very overweight and had to deal with a lot of problems later in life because of it. It’s a triumphant story because in the end she finds out who she is and where she’s going.”
THE PERSON I ADMIRE MOST: “Ellen Thrall, the woman I consider my mentor. She was a veterinary tech for 30 years. When I was in my teens working at my first animal clinic job, she took me under her wing and showed me everything she knew about animals. She had a wonderful gift and loved what she did. She took me horseback riding, to dog shows and got me started on the path to my career. I don’t think I’d be where I am right now if it wasn’t for her.”
THE ISSUE THAT CONCERNS ME MOST ABOUT TODAY’S WORLD: “Violence. I’m planning on getting married next year, and I’m worried about raising a family. It’s just not safe anywhere any more.”
--Dot Sparer
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