Workshop Five: Mastery in calculations - a comprehensive calculations workshop for veterinary nurses
Tracks
Workshop/Commercial Session - Courtyard Room 2
| Friday, March 21, 2025 |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
| Courtyard Room 2 |
Overview
Janet Murray and Melissa Shoard
Speaker
Janet Murray
The Animal Academy
Workshop Five: Mastery in calculations - a comprehensive calculations workshop for veterinary nurses
Abstract
To provide veterinary nurses with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in calculating fluid therapy, drug dosages, and managing Continuous Rate Infusions (CRIs) as well as other titrations and dilutions critical for effective veterinary care.
This workshop involves intensive hands-on procedural training. We will start the first part of the session with the fundamental principles of fluid therapy, including maintenance requirements, rehydration protocols, and strategies to manage ongoing losses with lots of practice questions.
Next we will focus on the intricacies of pharmacological calculations and applications in veterinary practice. Specific attention will be given to calculating and administering boluses, creating and adjusting CRIs, and drug titration techniques.
Practical exercises will simulate real-life scenarios where participants will practice diluting drugs and adjusting fluid rates based on hypothetical patient conditions.
Expected Outcomes: Veterinary Nurses will be proficient in:
- Determining fluid requirements for maintenance, rehydration, and replacement of ongoing losses in different clinical scenarios.
- Calculating and administrating boluses and continuous infusions accurately.
- Understanding and implementing drug dilution and titration principles to ensure safe and effective medication administration.
The workshop is designed to empower veterinary nurses with the skills and confidence to support fluid and medication management in a clinical setting. Enhanced proficiency in these areas will improve patient outcomes and clinical efficiency in veterinary practices.
This workshop involves intensive hands-on procedural training. We will start the first part of the session with the fundamental principles of fluid therapy, including maintenance requirements, rehydration protocols, and strategies to manage ongoing losses with lots of practice questions.
Next we will focus on the intricacies of pharmacological calculations and applications in veterinary practice. Specific attention will be given to calculating and administering boluses, creating and adjusting CRIs, and drug titration techniques.
Practical exercises will simulate real-life scenarios where participants will practice diluting drugs and adjusting fluid rates based on hypothetical patient conditions.
Expected Outcomes: Veterinary Nurses will be proficient in:
- Determining fluid requirements for maintenance, rehydration, and replacement of ongoing losses in different clinical scenarios.
- Calculating and administrating boluses and continuous infusions accurately.
- Understanding and implementing drug dilution and titration principles to ensure safe and effective medication administration.
The workshop is designed to empower veterinary nurses with the skills and confidence to support fluid and medication management in a clinical setting. Enhanced proficiency in these areas will improve patient outcomes and clinical efficiency in veterinary practices.
Biography
Janet grew up on a dairy farm in rural New Zealand and started out as a Veterinary nurse in mixed practice. She has travelled through the UK, where she locumed at various small animal referral practices including specialising in emergency critical care at The Royal Veterinary College, London. Later moving to Ireland, she undertook various industry roles including territory manager for a major pharmaceutical company, veterinary nursing/teaching at University College Dublin and shelter medicine at Dublin SPCA. In 2012 she moved to Perth, undertaking a brief nutritional sales role before turning to lecturing in Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing. Janet holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing through Edinburgh Napier University and also an Associate Degree in Adult and Vocational Education though Charles Sturt University. She is past president of the VNCA, the editorial chair for the Australian Veterinary Nursing Journal, is an active advancement committee member for the VNCA and is the first non-Vet chairperson of the AVA Veterinary Business Group as well as a committee member on the AVA Education Advisory group.
Her most notable accomplishment is to have received the first international scholarship for Veterinary Nursing leadership in 2019 (Dr Earl Rippie Scholarship).
Melissa Shoard
VCTA, SASH, VNCA
Workshop Five: Mastery in calculations - a comprehensive calculations workshop for veterinary nurses
Biography
Melissa is an accomplished emergency and critical care (ECC) professional based in Western Sydney, with over a decade of experience in the veterinary industry. She is deeply passionate about training and educating nurses, technicians, and veterinarians, holding notable qualifications such as her VTS (ECC), a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (ECC), a Certificate IV in Training and Assessing, and proudly being an RVN and AVN.
In addition to being published in the AVNJ and lecturing at conferences, Melissa was honoured with the 2024 Louise O'Dwyer VTS Aspiration Award for her dedication to the field. She actively volunteers with the VNCA at both state and national levels. Recently, she founded the Veterinary Care Training Academy, a platform dedicated to teaching, fostering growth, and supporting the veterinary profession. Always striving to expand her expertise, Melissa is currently pursuing a second diploma in general practice.
