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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.

Image: gavelDisciplinary Committee to meet in July
29 June 2009

A meeting of the Disciplinary Committee of the RCVS as constituted under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, will be held at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Belgravia House, 62-64 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AF, on...


Image: gavelGwynedd vet reprimanded for reckless certification
22 June 2009

The Disciplinary Committee (DC) of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons last week [18 June 2009] issued a reprimand to a veterinary surgeon for reckless certification of an equine passport, having found her to have been "wholly indifferent" as to whether the horse had been vaccinated properly against equine influenza.


Image of RCVS Trust 10K runnersRCVS Trust runners 10K London run fundraising appeal
17 June 2009

Lucy Evans and Jamie Hollis, who work in the RCVS Professional Conduct Department, will join RCVS Trust Director Cherry Bushell to raise funds in the British 10K London Run on 12 July.


Latest Publications

VN List and Register 2009

This 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 2006-7

The 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 2008

The 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 (April 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.


More Publications.