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Veterinary Nurses
The RCVS has two key functions in relation to veterinary nursing. These are the maintenance of the statutory list of veterinary nurses and the award of veterinary nursing S and NVQs.
In order to qualify, nurses undergo a two-year period of vocational training which is assessed at work and through examination by the RCVS Awarding Body.
Qualified veterinary nurses may enter the RCVS List of Veterinary Nurses which is maintained by the VN Regulatory Body. On entering the List they are entitled by law to undertake a range of veterinary treatments and procedures on animals under veterinary direction. Only Listed nurses are entitled to use the post-nominal letters 'VN'. Qualified nurses are key members of the veterinary team, providing skilled care for sick animals and support for their owners.
1 September 2010
Friday, 3 September is the deadline for members to nominate veterinary surgeons and non-veterinary surgeons who merit the award of RCVS Honorary Associateship or Honorary Fellowship.
19 August 2010
Following a meeting held between the RCVS and representatives of the campaign group, 'Rights 4 Pets @ Vets', earlier this year, we were asked to provide answers to a series of questions posed by the group and some of its supporters.
Latest Publications
VN List and Register 2010This publication provides a full alphabetical listing of qualified veterinary nurses, including registered veterinary nurses (RVNs). Nurses listed within this document are entitled under Schedule 3 to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 to practise certain aspects of veterinary surgery under the direction of a registered veterinary surgeon.
VN Annual Report 2006-7The VN Annual Report provides an overview of activities of the RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council, the VN Department and the RCVS Awarding Body.
Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses 2008The RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses 2008 sets out the ethical code for registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) and contains advice about professional behaviour, but it does not prescribe rules. The online Guide and annexes are updated whenever changes are made and are most up-to-date; the hard copy of the Guide is reprinted biennially.
VN Standard (August 2009)VN Standard is the newsletter of the RCVS Awarding Body that deals with veterinary nurse training issues. The December 2007 issue was the first of this new publication. It is published three times a year (in April, August and December) and sent to all those involved in the delivery of veterinary nurse training.
Additional information
Support for veterinary professionals
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