Countdown to VN Register - documents coming soon

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ new non-statutory Register for veterinary nurses (VNs) opens on 1 September and those VNs who have the option to register will receive a letter of explanation and a deed to sign during August.

The new Register represents the most major change to VN regulation for many decades and Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) will show colleagues, employers and clients that they are willing to account for their professionalism and competency.

Those VNs who joined the RCVS List after 1 January 2003 will be registered automatically; others have the option to register at any time. However, it is not possible to rejoin the List once registered.

RVNs agree to keep their skills up to date by means of compulsory continuing professional development (CPD), at a rate of 45 hours over three years, and to maintain standards of professionalism by following the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses.

The cost of registration will remain the same as that of listing until 2010, when a disciplinary process will be established and registration costs may rise, but not substantially.

“VNs may require their own professional indemnity insurance from 2010 but until then they should be covered by their practice policy, although it's worth checking,” advises RCVS Head of Veterinary Nursing, Libby Earle.

Although currently a non-statutory Register, it is hoped that this development will pave the way for a new regulatory framework for veterinary nurses in the future.

All listed VNs were sent copies of the Guide, CPD Record Card, VN Byelaws and explanatory notes during April. They can also be downloaded from RCVSonline, where more information can also be found.