A Day In The Life: veterinary district nurse Carla Finzel
Carla Finzel helps owners look after their sick pets at home.
WHEN people see my uniform and medical bag, they think I’m a human healthcare professional.
But most of my convalescents are furry with paws and claws. I’m Britain’s first District Veterinary Nurse and my patients are all animals.
District nurses tend to sick people in their homes but there’s never been an equivalent service for poorly pets. Until now.
I realised that while owners are obviously delighted when their pets are discharged from the vets, they often, quite rightly, feel overwhelmed at the prospect of nursing their pet back to health on their own, having only been shown what to do once or twice during a consultation.
Vets and Registered Veterinary Nurses spend years learning how to treat animals.
It’s easy for us because we’re trained.
But I completely understand an owner panicking at the prospect of providing care.
I founded the district veterinary nurse role so that I could bridge the gap between in-patient and home care.
Providing home visits means I can explain the nursing plan, demonstrate again how to administer medicine m or simply of ffer reassurance th hat h the owner’s doingd d a great job. Others need me o administer the tompc medicine or provide the nursing care and that’s fine b by me. It’s what
I’m there for – to makem their lives easier.
Working under the direction of a vet at all times, my packed schedule can see me care for up to 10 patients a day.
I get up at 5 a.m., touch base with all the blessings in my life and say thank you. I write down all the things I am grateful for.
Then I grab a cuppa, get into uniform and go. I leave at 5.30 a.m., and am with my first patient by six.
The vets refer patients via an online system which I use to draw up my client rota before hitting the roads around Sussex and beyond. No two days are the same.
Sometimes I see a patient multiple times a day, if they require regular medication or check-ups.
For example, an animal may need eye drops four times a day or painkiller injections.
It doesn’t matter if it’s the weekend or Christmas. If the animals need me, I’m there.
Lunchtime is frequently spent sitting in my car, devouring a sandwich in between visits.
In my job, I see how precious the human-animal bond is. For many, having a pet isn’t just about routine or companionship. It’s a lifeline.
And, after training through the Alzheimer’s Society to help people “live well with dementia” I now help owners with dementia to care for their pets, which hopefully means they can stay together longer.
Pets give such joy and unconditional love.
We owe it to them to forge ahead with progressing the veterinary nursing profession, especially through roles like mine.
I pioneered this role, but I hope other Registered Veterinary Nurses will follow in my footsteps so District Veterinary Nursing can one day become a nationwide service.
I adore my work. Even though the unpredictability of the workload often means I don’t get home until 10 p.m., which doesn’t leave much free time!
To relax, I like walking on Brighton beach or trekking on the Sussex Downs with the dogs and friends.
I love animals and the humans who love them. I can’t imagine doing anything else. This is my dream job.