VN Register

This section contains information about the non-statutory Register for Veterinary Nurses, which opened on 1 September 2007.

The new Register is an exciting development for veterinary nursing and marks 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 will automatically transfer to the Register when it opens. 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 (PDF 120Kb) and return one copy to us.

Those joining the Register will be known as Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) and their registration will demonstrate 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 (PDF 704Kb) which explains what counts as CPD and how to record it.

RVNs will also follow the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses 2008 (PDF 1.9Mb) and, if things go wrong, undergo a disciplinary process, similar to that for veterinary surgeons. The disciplinary mechanism will be in place from 2010.

A full explanation of the terms and conditions of joining the Register can be found in the Veterinary Nursing Bye-Laws 2008. (PDF 68Kb)

You can read Frequently Asked Questions about the new Register and the timetable for its implementation, or read the report from our three recent VN Question Time meetings.

If these documents don't answer your questions, please contact the Veterinary Nursing Department on vetnursing@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0732.

We also hold RCVS Question Time meetings three to four times a year - sign up to RCVS e-News for venues and dates.