Veterinary Nursing Week: 18-24 July

‘Pets in the park’ dog health checks at Saltram House, Plymouth, and equine health check demonstrations at the Royal Welsh Show, Powys, are just two of the events planned across the UK to mark the British Association of Veterinary Nursing’s VN Week (18-24 July).

“VN Week has become an important date in the calendar, helping to push nurses into the heart of their community, to promote pet ownership issues and, of course, the role of the nurse themselves,” says Dot Creighton, RCVS VN Council member.

Veterinary nurses are an important part of the veterinary team and carry out a great number of roles from providing expert nursing care to advising owners on pet care.

“Clients may not be aware of the qualifications or registration status of the nursing staff in their practice and should be encouraged to ask about the team caring for their pet - and the facilities available to them,” adds Dot.

“Listed and Registered Veterinary Nurses may specialise, for example, in intensive care, and can legally undertake minor surgery and give medical treatment under the direction of a veterinary surgeon. During VN Week, the profession has the opportunity to join together and widely promote this vital role in practice.”

Listed nurses are fully qualified, and may have advanced professional qualifications. In addition, those listed nurses who are also registered commit to keeping their skills and knowledge up to date, and to work within the tenets of the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses.

Further information is available on the VN Week website.