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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.
25 January 2010
With the deadline approaching at the end of this month, there is still just under a week in which to submit your nomination for election to RCVS Council or VN Council.
VN practical exam results published
22 January 2010
We mailed out results for the Level 3 Practical exams on Wednesday by first class post to the 352 student VNs who sat the exam last November. Of these, 348 candidates took the small animal option, and four candidates the equine. With 64% of candidates succeeding, the pass rate was similar to November 2008.
21 January 2010
The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons last week decided that a Wirral-based veterinary surgeon should not be restored to the RCVS Register, having previously struck him off for disgraceful professional conduct, as it was not convinced that...
20 January 2010
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...
12 January 2010
We’ve sent you – veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and VN students – survey forms to ask for information about yourselves and your work, aspirations and views on your professions, so please do take part.
Latest Publications
VN List and Register 2009This 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 2006-7The 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 2008The 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 (August 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.
Additional information
Support for veterinary professionals
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