Lessons From the Zoo: How my Job as a Zookeeper Made Me a Better Nurse

Classicalcat--Lovely article and very well written!I didn't work with the big animals, but I did work full time as 'The Animal Lady' in the Live Animal Room at a museum for several years, where we had local wildlife which often came to us as babies, or injured. I had already been a nurse for about 7-8 years, and was taking a break from nursing. The knowledge required for both jobs dove-tailed nicely.You are right, there is so much you can tell just by observing.....Each animal had his/her own 'personality' and you have to allow for that when planning their care and how you treat and handle them. Same as with people!And I had to judge how each animal would do with the public programs we gave several times a day and for school groups. They needed to be clean, well-fed, healthy, feel safe with you and not threatened by a crowd or group; didn't want visitors to get bit or pick up something unhealthy when they touched or patted the animal. Lots and lots of hand washing involved, don't want cross-contamination! Dietary concerns, medication and treatments, and the always-necessary cleaning up.....Of course, I've never, as a nurse, had to soak someone's paws or feet in Massengill douche for 10 minutes twice a day! A possum can get fungus on their feet; who knew? It is unacceptable for a possum to have peeling skin on their feet as it is socially unacceptable and grosses museum visitors out.And I did learn something very important when helping the vet give vaccines, that I am not sure has a nursing/patient equivalent , and that would be : never try to grasp a skunk by the nape of the neck and try to hold it still. That skunk turned his head SO FAST and bit my thumb TWICE in 2 seconds. Wow, what exquisitely sharp PAIN! The only good thing was that he cracked my thumbnail clean in half, so I didn't need to have a hole drilled in the nail to relieve the pressure when the thumb swelled. I was treated for that bite by the Vet and never got any infection (good old Lugol's Solution. Oh, and of course I was already current with all MY vaccines!) Some of my co-workers were very worried that I didn't go to my doctor. Well, my gosh, if a Vet doesn't know how to treat animal bites, who does?Birth, death, and everything in between. Though it was tougher with wildlife in some ways than with people in the sense that a 25% survival rate of a baby or injured animal is considered VERY good.I now work with elderly critters in their natural habitats....I do private duty with a lot of 80 and 90 year olds in their homes or apartment or private room.

Thanks for sharing your animals stories as well! Looks like we have something in common--I laughed at the possum and sorry, but I laughed at the skunk story--not that you got bit, but that you were treated by a vet. Love it!

Quote from No Stars In My EyesWell, my gosh, if a Vet doesn't know how to treat animal bites, who does?

Boy did this article make me smile!

I've worked in veterinary medicine for 30 years. I started at the bottom as kennel person and moved up to lead certified veterinary technician years later. This is a great article as to the similarities of our jobs. I have told people that my job is like a pediatric nurse. My patients cannot talk and often they have no understanding as to what is being done to them and why. It is a big part of my job to make them feel as comfortable and as stress free as possible. One of my favorite books is "Zoobiquity Waht animals Can Teach Us About Health and the Science of Healing" written by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz MD and Kathyrn Bowers.Fuzzy

classicalcat - I love this! What a cool story. It just goes to show that having another career before nursing can definitely be helpful!

I worked as a registered veterinary technician for 8 years, now as an RN for 5 years. All of my skills as an RVT has transfered completely. I work in Mother/baby now. Body language is key I can read babies as well as I did animals. They don't have to talk to me. Fear and pain are universal. I know how to calm both baby and mom with the skills I learned in animal medicine. Confidence and calmness is key. All My experiences have made me who I am and I wouldn't trade them for anything, poop and all