VN training practices on the increase

There has been an increase in the number of veterinary nursing Training Practices over the last 12 months, according to the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Annual Report 2006-7. But there is no room for complacency, says the College.

As at 31 March 2007, there were 1,654 Training Practices, including 98 newly-approved practices, and 56 Veterinary Nursing Approved Centres (VNACs), of which 47 deliver National Vocational Qualifications.

In addition, 24% of candidates entering VN training in 2006 were undergraduates, a figure that is climbing steadily (up from 20% in 2005).

“The increase in Training Practices indicates that veterinary nurse training is in a healthy state and reflects our encouragement of VNACs to recruit more practices,” according to Neil Smith MRCVS, Chairman of the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Awarding Body.

“However, this is no time for complacency. There remains a shortage of qualified veterinary nurses: their contribution to the practice team is increasingly valued, pushing up demand. It is therefore vital that all practices that are currently not TPs consider whether they could help to fill the strong demand for VN training places,” he says.

2006 saw a slight decrease in the number of student veterinary nurses enrolling – down to 991 from 1,044 in 2005. It is hoped that the introduction of the Veterinary Nurses Register on 1 September 2007, and the increasing recognition of veterinary nursing as a profession in its own right, will help position it as an appealing career option for potential students.

Practices interested in applying for TP status should contact their local centre, a list of which can be found at http://awardingbody.rcvs.org.uk/centres/what-is-an-approved-centre/, or obtained from the Awarding Body directly on 020 7202 0788 or [email protected].

The RCVS Veterinary Nursing Annual Report 2006-7 was mailed to all Listed Veterinary Nurses, Training Practices and VNACs together with the August issue of RCVS Veterinary Nursing News. It can also be ordered or downloaded from the publications section.