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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.
14 November 2008
The corporate governance arrangements of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons are ‘perfectly competent’ but compliance could be improved. That was the finding of a Corporate Governance Group established to address issues of transparency and openness within the College.
13 November 2008
The Disciplinary Committee Inquiry into Mr Kfir Segev was adjourned today. It will resume on a date convenient to all parties, to be announced in due course at: www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary.
12 November 2008
Recent changes in the way veterinary schools teach clinical and practical skills, coupled with increasing financial pressure on students and new graduates, have triggered the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to review its guidelines for Extra-Mural Studies (EMS) and clinical education.
11 November 2008
The lower age limit for student veterinary nurses – previously set at 17 – has been removed by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, in order to comply with age discrimination legislation.
VN List and Register 2008
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 2006-7The 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 2008)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.
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