Survey to take snapshot of VN profession in 2008

The RCVS is conducting a comprehensive survey of veterinary nurses, to complement the regular surveys of veterinary surgeons it carries out.

The purpose of the survey is to take a snapshot of the veterinary nursing profession in 2008, and anticipate future trends and changes.

“We hope to find out more about veterinary nurses’ employment type and experiences, working patterns and professional development,” according to Andrea Jeffery, Chairman of the Veterinary Nurses Council. “We will also be asking about nurses’ aspirations for the short- and long-term and their current views on the profession.”

The survey results will help to show how the provision of veterinary services might be affected by various factors, including numbers of student veterinary nurses, career breaks, part-time working, and nurses choosing to work outside the profession.

It will help the College to understand the changing role of veterinary nurses within the veterinary team, the impact of the non-statutory Register of Veterinary Nurses and to determine future training needs. It will also inform ongoing discussions about new veterinary legislation.

The survey is being carried out by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), an independent, not-for-profit research organisation.

All veterinary nurses will receive a hard copy of the survey towards the end of January. It is also possible to complete the VN survey online.