Veterinary nurses are the backbone of emergency care at VEG. Not only do they bring advanced training and clinical skill to each shift, they have a passion for helping pets (and their people!) when they need it most. Their expertise and dedication elevates our care and sets the standard for excellence in our hospitals.

Since it’s National Veterinary Technician Week, we’re putting a spotlight on our veterinary nurses—and we refer to credentialed veterinary technicians as veterinary nurses because that's the role they play! In this Q&A with Chief Nursing Officer Ken Yagi and the VEG Nursing Council—a group of passionate veterinary nurses and assistants who elevate the conversation and advocate for meaningful change—you’ll learn why veterinary nurses are critical to emergency care and how we’re elevating their role at VEG.

Why are veterinary nurses critical to emergency care at VEG?

Ken: In emergency medicine, minutes matter, and often, so do seconds. Our veterinary nurses are the ones turning chaos into order. They triage, treat, and comfort patients, while keeping families informed and supported. They anticipate needs, catch subtle changes, and act decisively. Their steady hands and sharp minds keep emergency care moving forward, even in the most intense moments.

VEG Nursing Council: Our veterinary nurses are essential to everything we do in emergency medicine. They’re calm under pressure, quick to act, and always thinking two steps ahead. They keep the entire hospital moving and help ensure that care is seamless and compassionate, even in the most high-stress moments.

Vet nurses bring advanced medical training and expertise to every case. They assist with triage, perform critical procedures, monitor patients, and support pet parents—all while working side-by-side with doctors. They elevate their fellow VNs’ skill sets and exemplify a culture of growth and learning for VNs and VAs. They elevate the patient and customer experience from beginning to end through compassionate communication, attentive care, and a calm, reassuring presence.

Veterinary nurses also have their finger on the pulse of the whole hospital, enabling VEG to help more people and their pets when they need it most. Their care enables vets to diagnose, prescribe, prognose and do surgery. Without veterinary nurses, doctors wouldn't be able to treat as many patients, procedures would not be as safe, and the quality of care would decrease.

A VEG veterinary nurse holding a patient.

What do most people not realize about this role at VEG?

Ken: People often think veterinary nurses simply carry out a doctor’s orders. Here, they are clinical decision makers, advocates, and leaders in their own right. They run procedures from start to finish, manage complex cases, and guide families through some of their hardest days. Our vet nurses are empowered to work at the very top of their license, and in many cases, to push that ceiling higher through advanced training and skill expansion.

VEG Nursing Council: Many people don’t realize how much ownership and trust our veterinary nurses have at VEG. There is a lot of freedom and an elevation in the role overall. The collaboration between veterinary nurse and doctor is much more prevalent at VEG compared to most places. Veterinary nurses are deeply involved in patient care, clinical decisions, and advocating for both patients and their families. Their voices are heard and their skills are fully utilized, which makes the role really fulfilling and impactful.

VNs are also all credentialed veterinary technicians; they are educated, have passed a national licensing exam, and don't treat this as a job—it's a calling and a passion. And since there is always a focus on growth here, they are constantly able to advance and grow their skills through our Cultivate program.

How do veterinary nurses help elevate the quality of care and the hospital environment?

Ken: Veterinary nurses set the tone for the entire ER. They protect patients by verifying every treatment and watching for subtle changes that could signal a crisis. They keep the team coordinated, support colleagues through tough shifts, and make sure no one falls through the cracks. When our veterinary nurses are thriving, the entire hospital feels it. The medicine is sharper, the teamwork stronger, and the atmosphere is calmer for patients and families.

VEG Nursing Council: Vet nurses manage the flow of the hospital—checking in with teammates, leading by example, and making sure patients are cared for with skill and compassion—and that their owners are too. Their presence brings consistency, structure, and a sense of calm that helps everyone else do their jobs better.

Their advanced clinical skills ensure patients receive efficient, accurate, and compassionate treatment, from triage to recovery. By closely monitoring patients, administering and streamlining treatments, performing advanced procedures, and anticipating medical needs, they help veterinarians deliver faster, more effective care—without decreasing veterinary medicine standards

What would you say to someone considering becoming a veterinary nurse here?

Ken: If you want to grow faster than you thought possible and thrive when the stakes are high, VEG is the place to be. We’ll trust you with real responsibility and give you the tools to keep pushing your skills forward. You’ll be surrounded by teammates who back you up and leaders who believe in what you can become. It’s hard work but it’s meaningful, and you’ll never be bored.

VEG Nursing Council: DO ITTTTT! There are endless reasons why we would support this—the culture of learning, the freedom, the open concept . . . all of it! If you’re looking for a place where you can grow, be challenged, and truly make a difference, this is it. VEG recognizes the value of veterinary nurses and gives you the space to use your full range of skills. You’ll be surrounded by a team that supports you, trusts you, and wants to see you succeed. Shadow a VN and spend time in VEG. See what we do and how we do it—we're here to help!

A VEG veterinary nurse kneeling on the floor with a canine patient.

What message would make VEG veterinary nurses feel most seen and appreciated?

Ken: We see how much you give. Your skill, your heart, your grit. You keep showing up for patients, for families, and for each other, no matter how hard the day gets. The medicine is better because of you. The experience is better because of you. You are the reason families trust us with what matters most.

VEG Nursing Council: Thank you! We see how hard you work and the way you show up for your team and patients—even on the toughest days. You make a difference, not only through your skills, but also through your compassion and your presence. You are so appreciated, not only during National Veterinary Technician Week, but at every shift!

The days are long and the shifts are hard. Being an ER nurse is NOT for the faint of heart—it takes grit, resilience, flexibility, and passion. The people and their pets you help are grateful for what you do every day. Each of you brings something unique to your hospital; your ideas and education are just as important as your clinical skills. You aren't just helping veterinarians, you work as teammates.

What’s new or evolving in the way VEG is elevating the nursing role?

Ken: We’re building clear career maps that open new pathways in clinical mastery, leadership, and education, so you can see exactly where you are, where you can go, and how to get there. We’re focusing on the fundamentals of ER nursing while expanding our advanced training so more veterinary nurses can perform life-saving procedures and take on higher-level responsibilities. And we’re pushing the profession forward by advocating for a broader scope of practice and recognition for veterinary nurses nationwide. We’re focused on changing the lives of every VEG nurse, because by impacting one person at a time, we'll change the entire profession.

VEG Nursing Council: There’s so much progress happening right now, and it’s exciting! From expanding training and mentorship, to building clearer growth pathways, to empowering vet nurses by having national conversations through the Nursing Council, VEG is investing in its veterinary nurses more than ever. We’re starting to define what career development and leadership can look like for veterinary nurses, and it's only going to keep growing.