Who's who in your veterinary practice

A veterinary surgeon, usually called a ‘vet’, is a qualified professional who diagnoses illnesses, prescribes medication, and performs surgery to keep animals healthy. 

Becoming a vet takes five to six years of study. Only those registered with the RCVS can legally use the title 'veterinary surgeon', so you can be assured of their training and expertise.

We set and maintain professional standards through the Code of Professional Conduct, which governs how vets care for patients and behave in practice. Vets are also required to keep their skills and knowledge up to date through Continued Professional Development (CPD). 

You can easily check if your vet is registered by using our Find a Vet service to search by name, location, or practice. 

Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) are qualified professionals who support vets in providing essential care for your animal. The title 'registered veterinary nurse' is protected by law, so you can be confident that anyone using it is properly registered with us. 

RVNs complete between two and four years of training, depending on their chosen pathway. Like vets, they must follow our Code of Professional Conduct and keep their skills and knowledge up to date throughout their careers.

RVNs can carry out a wide range of procedures, from giving injections and administering anaesthetics to providing nursing care and offering health advice. If you'd like to confirm that a veterinary nurse is registered with us, you can do so using our Find a Vet service and selecting 'nurse'. 

As part of their studies, student veterinary surgeons must complete at least 20 weeks of clinical placements in veterinary practices or other places offering animal care. This means you may meet a student when you go to your vets. 

Student vets are always supervised by qualified veterinary surgeons and are there to gain real-world experience. Their presence doesn't affect the quality of care your pet receives - in fact, teaching practices often maintain particularly high standards because they're regularly assessed. 

Student vets are allowed to carry out many of the same procedures as registered vets, provided they are supervised by a registered vet.

Student veterinary nurses also complete clinical placements as part of their training. Like student vets, they're always supervised by qualified professionals - either vet nurses or vets. 

During their placements, student vet nurses learn essential skills, from basic animal handling to more complex nursing procedures. Their involvement in your pet's care is always suited to their level of training and experience. 

During your visit, you'll also meet non-clinical team members, such as receptionists and practice managers. While they don’t provide medical treatment, they play essential roles in keeping the practice running smoothly and helping you access the care your pet needs. 

Some non-clinical staff may have additional qualifications or training to support their work, whether it’s improving customer service or managing specific aspects of practice operations. 

If you are in any doubt as to who is speaking to you about your pet, always ask.