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Boehringer Ingelheim partnered with the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) and the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) to survey over 600 veterinary professionals nationwide. This included veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary technicians.
Workforce and business sustainability have been identified as key challenges facing the veterinary industry. Building great and flexible workplaces is one of our key opportunities.
Kevin Bryant, CEO, NZVA
According to the report Taking Animal Health Forward, those surveyed ‘wanted to be a respected and valued team member, working in an environment that offered modern medicine, with meaningful and flexible work’.
“This rings true for veterinary nurses in Aotearoa, New Zealand” says Laura Harvey, President of the NZVNA.
According to the report findings, veterinary nurses are not getting enough opportunities to upskill and support vets with higher-level work, which could provide more job satisfaction and flexibility for all parties.
Embracing the skills that veterinary nurses and technicians bring to the table can help take our industry forward.
Laura Harvey. President, NZVNA
One of the issues identified in the review was the lack of legislation for allied veterinary professionals (AVPs) in New Zealand, which would allow them to work at the top of their scope of practice.
This would alleviate some of the pressures on veterinarians and support a greater sense of being involved in meaningful work that challenges and inspires workers at all levels.
“Globally, we are seeing more AVPs taking on new roles and responsibilities,” says Laura Harvey.
“Regulation of AVPs in Aotearoa is one way we could help relieve the ongoing staffing shortage. Robust legislation may give workplaces the confidence to fully embrace the skills that veterinary nurses and technicians bring to the table.”
43% of clinic decision makers identified fatigued staff as a key issue.
Taking Animal Health Forward
38% of clinicians said their practice did not have wellbeing initiatives or informal practices to improve wellbeing
Taking Animal Health Forward
41% of veterinary nurses expected to stay in animal health less than five years
Taking Animal Health Forward
Dr. Steve Merchant, founder of Virtual Vet Nurse, highlights how technology is a powerful tool for enhancing the skills of veterinary professionals at all levels. One of the core missions of Virtual Vet Nurse is to support front-line staff effectively.
“In 2024, veterinary professionals needn’t be bogged down by routine front-desk inquiries,” he asserts.
“Their time and skills are far better utilized in patient care, working in the field, or engaging directly with clients.”
What’s more, around 90% of queries to the front desk are for the same 10 or topics. These can be efficiently automated and triaged – which is more convenient for both the clinic, and their clients.
Virtual Vet Nurse can assist with routine tasks such as appointment scheduling, prescription refills, and answering common client questions. This can free up veterinary nurses to focus on more critical, hands-on tasks, reducing their workload and mitigating burnout.
One of the challenges in veterinary practice is explaining the value of services to clients. Virtual Vet Nurse can educate clients on preventive care, pre-visit surveys, treatment plans, post-up follow-ups, and the importance of regular check-ups. The chatbot can also clarify pricing structures, ensuring clients understand the cost and value of veterinary care.
Some veterinary nurses are also being burdened with additional after-hours stress if they are also responsible for managing the clinic’s live chat or messenger. Virtual Vet Nurse can automatically triage inquiries 24/7, which guards against burn-out and ensures veterinary nurses have adequate downtime.
The veterinary industry faces many challenges, from workforce shortages to public perception issues. However, AI-driven tools like Virtual Vet Nurse offer promising solutions that can alleviate some of these pressures. By supporting administrative tasks, improving communication, and helping practices focus on wellbeing, Virtual Vet Nurse can be a valuable partner in building a more resilient veterinary sector.
James, Co-Founder of ClinicWise (Formally Virtual Vet Nurse), brings extensive experience in veterinary software and a passion for using technology to improve clinic operations and client communication. He is dedicated to creating innovative solutions that enhance care and streamline workflows for veterinary professionals.
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