This section contains information about the non-statutory Register for Veterinary Nurses, which opened on 1 September 2007.
The opening of the new Register marked the biggest change to the regulation of VNs for some time. It is the first step towards statutory regulation for veterinary nurses, which would only be possible under a new Veterinary Surgeons Act.
All those VNs listing since 1 January 2003 automatically transferred to the Register. For others, registration is voluntary. If you have not yet transferred from the List to the Register and wish to do so, please print off the Transfer to the VN Register Form, available to download from the 'Related documents' box, top right, and return one copy to us.
Those joining the Register will be known as registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) and their registration demonstrates to employers and the general public that they are keeping their skills up-to-date and accounting for their professional conduct.
RVNs are required to complete an average of 45 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) over a three-year period. You can download the CPD Record Card for Veterinary Nurses from the 'Related documents' box, top right, which explains what counts as CPD and how to record it.
RVNs also follow the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and, if things go wrong, undergo a disciplinary process, similar to that for veterinary surgeons (introduced on 1 April 2011).
A full explanation of the terms and conditions of joining the Register can be found in the Veterinary Nursing Bye-Laws 2011, available to download from the 'Related documents' box, top right.
If these documents don't answer your questions, please contact the Veterinary Nursing Department on vetnursing@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0732.
