Second to imaging, this is probably THE most common diagnostic procedure performed in internal medicine.

But it's also the one where most of us have been taught wrong - or not taught enough, and I really want to change that over the next few episodes.

There's a misconception that looking at the scope the wrong way will break it, and as a result, we end up scared to touch it for fear of it costing our clinics thousands of pounds.

But in reality, there's so much nursing to be done with patients during endoscopy procedures - and if we spend our careers trying to do anything but touch the scope, we miss out on all of those skills.

So over the next few weeks, we'll look at the common endoscopic procedures (and some not so common ones). We'll explore the different scopes available, how they differ, and how to handle, use, and maintain them. And we'll chat all about the care our patients need from us as they undergo endoscopic procedures - so you can use more of your skills caring for these patients in practice.

Today, we're starting with gastrointestinal endoscopy. We'll look at the different GI procedures, the anatomy of a GI scope, and how to monitor, support and nurse your patients.

---

📲 Grab the GI endoscopy report forms: https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/gastrointestinal-guidelines/

---

Looking for medical nursing CPD?

📲 Get unlimited CPD inside the Library Club: http://vimn.thrivecart.com/libraryclub/

📲 Snag a webinar from the on-demand library: https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/veterinary-education-webinar-library

---

More free ways to learn with me:

📲 Grab the show notes and references from today's episode: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/podcast

📲 Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vetinternalmedicinenursing

🖥️ Learn more about medical nursing: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com

---

This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.

In episode 120 of the Medical Nursing Podcast, we're talking about a commonly misunderstood condition - feline pancreatitis.

We're actually talking about a few conditions that overlap in our cats; alongside pancreatitis, many present with concurrent GI and hepatobiliary disease ('triaditis').

Many cats with cholangiohepatitis, pancreatitis, chronic enteropathy and combinations of these disease present with similar clinical signs, which can make distinguishing from them challenging. Nursing these patients begins with understanding each of these diseases, how they relate to each other, and the impact they have on our patients - and that's exactly what we're talking about today.

We're going to spend the next half an hour or so chatting all about pancreatitis and related diseases - the myths, misconceptions, nursing needs, and the skills you can use in practice when caring for these often challenging patients.

---

Looking for medical nursing CPD?

📲 Get unlimited CPD inside the Library Club: http://vimn.thrivecart.com/libraryclub/

📲 Snag a webinar from the on-demand library: https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/veterinary-education-webinar-library

---

More free ways to learn with me:

📲 Grab the show notes and references from today's episode: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/podcast

📲 Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vetinternalmedicinenursing

🖥️ Learn more about medical nursing: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com

---

This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.

In episode 119 of the Medical Nursing Podcast we're taking a detailed look at a disease lots of us see very regularly - pancreatitis.

I wanted to cover this one because pancreatitis is a condition almost all of us have nursed, and yet it's a condition where a lot of what we were originally taught has changed.

And alongside that, we know that nursing care can make or break recovery for these patients, especially in cases of severe disease. There's a lot to think about when caring for them, and a lot of ways we can use our knowledge and skills to give even better care to these patients.

This week, we're chatting all about canine pancreatitis - how it presents, how it impacts our patients, and how we can use more of our skills when caring for these patients in practice. And next week, we'll be turning things over to our cats, focusing on feline pancreatitis and triaditis, and how the disease - and nursing care - is often very different in these patients.

So if you're ready to get nerdy with me and start discovering new ways to support your pancreatitis patients in practice, grab a coffee and let's get into it.

---

Looking for medical nursing CPD?

📲 Get unlimited CPD inside the Library Club: http://vimn.thrivecart.com/libraryclub/

📲 Snag a webinar from the on-demand library: https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/veterinary-education-webinar-library

---

More free ways to learn with me:

📲 Grab the show notes and references from today's episode: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/podcast

📲 Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vetinternalmedicinenursing

🖥️ Learn more about medical nursing: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com

---

This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.

For years, we called it HGE - haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. And for years, a lot of what we thought we knew about it turned out to be wrong.

In episode 118 of the Medical Nursing Podcast, we're taking a detailed look at what we now know about acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome - or AHDS - the condition we previously thought of as 'haemorrhagic gastroenteritis'.

We know these patients need a LOT from us as veterinary nurses. They're often critically unwell and can decompensate over a period of hours - and the way we treat them now, vs how we used to treat HGE in the past, has changed significantly.

And that's exactly what we'll be looking at in this episode - what AHDS is, how it impacts our patients, and the treatment and nursing care that really makes a difference. And of course, with this, the skills we can use in the process.

---

Looking for medical nursing CPD?

📲 Get unlimited CPD inside the Library Club: http://vimn.thrivecart.com/libraryclub/

📲 Snag a webinar from the on-demand library: https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/veterinary-education-webinar-library

---

More free ways to learn with me:

📲 Grab the show notes and references from today's episode: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/podcast

📲 Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vetinternalmedicinenursing

🖥️ Learn more about medical nursing: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com

---

This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.

The microbiome is probably THE most talked about area of GI disease this year.

And with good reason - because it's fascinating, and we're only learning more and more about it as time goes on.

The microbiome is linked to so much more than 'just' dysbiosis - from gastrointestinal disease to cancer, emotional health and much more, this unseen but mighty 'virtual organ' is hugely important in our patients.

And as our understanding of it grows, so too does our role in supporting GI patients as veterinary nurses and technicians.

In episode 117 of the Medical Nursing Podcast, we're discussing exactly what the microbiome is, what we know about it so far, what affects it, and what happens when we see dysbiosis - a disruption in the normal microbial balance.

And, of course, we'll look at how we can use more of our skills to support patients with dysbiosis - from support during diagnostics, to faecal microbiota transplantation and much more.

---

Looking for medical nursing CPD?

📲 Get unlimited CPD inside the Library Club: http://vimn.thrivecart.com/libraryclub/

📲 Snag a webinar from the on-demand library: https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/veterinary-education-webinar-library

---

More free ways to learn with me:

📲 Grab the show notes and references from today's episode: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/podcast

📲 Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vetinternalmedicinenursing

🖥️ Learn more about medical nursing: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com

---

This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.

In episode 116 of the Medical Nursing Podcast I'm bringing you the updated need-to-know information on one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases we see - chronic inflammatory enteropathy, or what we used to call inflammatory bowel disease.

Lots has changed in the management of this challenging condition over the years - and as we've learned more and more about it, the way we care for these patients has also evolved.

If we don't evolve with it, we'll end up nursing our patients based on an old version of the disease - and that's exactly what this episode will help you do.

Together, we'll refresh and update our knowledge, and look at where veterinary nursing fits in the management of this often complex disease.

So if you're ready to do more with your GI patients and understand how they benefit from more of our nursing skills, you're in the right place.

---

Looking for medical nursing CPD?

📲 Get unlimited CPD inside the Library Club: http://vimn.thrivecart.com/libraryclub/

📲 Snag a webinar from the on-demand library: https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/veterinary-education-webinar-library

---

More free ways to learn with me:

📲 Grab the show notes and references from today's episode: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/podcast

📲 Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vetinternalmedicinenursing

🖥️ Learn more about medical nursing: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com

---

This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.

Today I want to show you what happens when we GET to do more as veterinary nurses and technicians.

I'm very aware that, as primarily a referral RVN, there are differences in what I do in referral vs what I do when I work in GP. However, there's one thing that remains the same regardless of the clinic I'm working in that day - I still get to use my skills with medical patients.

Internal medicine sounds fancy, but it just means 'medicine'. We all see medicine every day. I was nursing CKD patients, diabetics, dyspnoeic cats, dogs with diarrhoea, etc, WAY before I went into referral.

So if you're thinking there's less you can do with your patients because you're in general practice, I want to challenge that thought today.

In this episode, I don't just want to tell you what you can do, I want to SHOW you. And to do that, I'm bringing you the real in-clinic stories from the over 200 nurses and technicians that I've worked with inside the Medical Nursing Academy.

Those nurses have all done things they should be incredibly proud of. They've helped their patients in new ways, they've changed their clinic culture, and they've indirectly helped the rest of their nursing team develop and cultivate their passions, too.

It doesn't matter where you work - you can still use more of your skills and make even more of a difference to your patients, your clients, and your colleagues. So grab a cuppa and let's talk about how.

---

Looking for medical nursing CPD?

📲 Get unlimited CPD inside the Library Club: http://vimn.thrivecart.com/libraryclub/

📲 Snag a webinar from the on-demand library: https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/veterinary-education-webinar-library

---

More free ways to learn with me:

📲 Grab the show notes and references from today's episode: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/podcast

📲 Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vetinternalmedicinenursing

🖥️ Learn more about medical nursing: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com

---

This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.

We're finishing off Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 2026 with something a little different.

No guests, no guidelines. Just me, twenty years of memories, a few things I wish someone had told me earlier, and some honest thoughts on where I think we go from here.

In episode 114 of the Medical Nursing Podcast, I'm reflecting on nearly two decades of vet nursing - the good bits, the hard bits, the moments I nearly walked away, and the moments that made everything make sense again.

We've talked this month about what we can do, and what vets think of us. But this episode is more personal, vulnerable, and about the bigger picture. We're chatting all about where we've come from, where I think we're heading, and what I'd love us to hold onto along the way.

If you've ever felt like you weren't quite cut out for this, had moments where you felt exasperated by a profession that didn't value your skills, or wondered whether you were really making a difference, you need to hear this episode.

---

Looking for medical nursing CPD?

📲 Get unlimited CPD inside the Library Club: http://vimn.thrivecart.com/libraryclub/

📲 Snag a webinar from the on-demand library: https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/veterinary-education-webinar-library

---

More free ways to learn with me:

📲 Grab the show notes and references from today's episode: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/podcast

📲 Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vetinternalmedicinenursing

🖥️ Learn more about medical nursing: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com

---

This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.

In episode 113 of the Medical Nursing Podcast, I'm doing something different - something I've never done in history of the show.

I'm bringing a vet on to chat with us.

This isn't a clinical episode, though we do chat a little bit of internal medicine (it's impossible not to when you get a medicine RVN and a medic together!).

It's a conversation that I think we ALL need to have, about what vets really think of our role, our knowledge, and our skills - and how vets and nurses can work together to improve both of our roles.

Scott Kilpatrick is a veterinary surgeon and specialist in internal medicine. Scott is not only a vet, but also a vet who works very closely with veterinary nurses and technicians, and couldn't do his job without them. And, when not working in clinical practice, he's one of the directors at VTX - a CPD company tirelessly championing veterinary nursing.

If you've ever felt disheartened by a 'vet-nurse divide' or felt unsure on how to approach your vets about something - using your skills, suggesting a treatment for a patient, or sharing your opinion about a case - I know you'll get so much value from this conversation.

---

About Scott:

📲 Learn more about Scott: https://vtx-cpd.com/about/

📲 Learn more about the Veterinary Thought Exchange: https://vtx-cpd.com/

📲 Listen to Scott on the VTX Podcast: https://vtx-cpd.com/podcasts/

---

Looking for medical nursing CPD?

📲 Get unlimited CPD inside the Library Club: http://vimn.thrivecart.com/libraryclub/

📲 Snag a webinar from the on-demand library: https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/veterinary-education-webinar-library

---

More free ways to learn with me:

📲 Grab the show notes and references from today's episode: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/podcast

📲 Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vetinternalmedicinenursing

🖥️ Learn more about medical nursing: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com

---

This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.

For a long time, we've talked about how 'utilising vet nurses' is important - and how everything gets better when our skills are really used.

But how well are we REALLY doing that?

In episode 112 of the Medical Nursing Podcast, and the first episode of VNAM 2026, we're talking all about what utilisation really looks like.

We'll explore the workforce crisis driving this conversation, what the evidence says about veterinary nursing - how patient care improves, how practice revenue improves, and how professional longevity and burnout improve - and we'll look at HOW to do more with your patients, in your practice, right now.

If you're a registered or student veterinary nurse, or a credentialled technician, you won't want to miss this episode.

---

Resources mentioned this episode

📲 Technician utilisation guidelines: https://www.aaha.org/wp-content/uploads/globalassets/02-guidelines/2023-aaha-technician-utilization-guidelines/resources/2023-aaha-technician-utilization-guidelines-new.pdf

---

Looking for medical nursing CPD?

📲 Get unlimited CPD inside the Library Club: http://vimn.thrivecart.com/libraryclub/

📲 Snag a webinar from the on-demand library: https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/veterinary-education-webinar-library

---

More free ways to learn with me:

📲 Grab the show notes and references from today's episode: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/podcast

📲 Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vetinternalmedicinenursing

🖥️ Learn more about medical nursing: http://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com

---

This podcast does not replace a veterinary surgeon's advice, and its content is provided only for information. A veterinary surgeon must diagnose all conditions, and veterinary nurses and technicians must ensure they work within local legislation and regulating body guidelines at all times. Any products or treatments discussed are for information only and do not constitute endorsements of products or services.