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- Council Members
- Role of Council Members
- Council meetings
- Council elections
- Previous election results
- Dr Louise Allum
- Dr Sam Bescoby
- Dr Andrew Clemence
- Dr Tshidi Gardiner
- Dr Reginald Godwin
- Paddy Gordon
- Dr Danielle Greenberg
- Dr Gerard Henry
- Dr Richard Hillman
- Dr Benjamin Kennedy
- Dr Tom Lonsdale
- Dr Darren Partridge
- Martin Peaty
- Alison Price
- Dr Peter Robinson
- Dr Jennifer Simmons
- Dr Sadie Spencer
- Dr Mary Thomas
- William Wilkinson
- Dr Lara Wilson
- Past-Presidents
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- About extra-mural studies (EMS)
- EMS requirements
- Information for vet students
- Information for EMS providers
- Information for vet schools
- Temporary EMS requirements
- Practice by students - regulations
- Health and safety on EMS placements
- EMS contacts and further guidance
- Extra-mural studies fit for the future
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- Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons
- Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses
- Contact the Advice Team
- XL Bully dog ban
- 'Under care' - guidance
- Advice on Schedule 3
- Controlled Drugs Guidance – A to Z
- Dealing with Difficult Situations webinar recordings
- FAQs – Common medicines pitfalls
- FAQs – Routine veterinary practice and clinical veterinary research
- FAQs – Advertising of practice names
- GDPR – RCVS information and Q&As
Returning veterinary nurses
A warm welcome back to the veterinary nursing profession. On this page you'll find information to support your return.
Welcome back: a letter from our Nursing Director and VN Council Chair
Welcome back to the veterinary nursing profession.
We're delighted to have you back with us. Veterinary nurses are the glue that hold the practice team together; the value that you bring to the patients you care for, to the general public, and to the entire veterinary team cannot be underestimated.
As you re-enter the profession, we look forward to introducing you to some exciting new initiatives which we hope will support you to thrive as you step back into your work as a veterinary nurse.
These include our Veterinary Nurse Futures project, RCVS Academy, Mind Matters Initiative, and the introduction of the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (CertAVN), to name a few. Additionally, we have been campaigning to update the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act. Our proposed reforms would protect the VN title, grant veterinary nurses greater autonomy within their careers and widen the professional scope of VNs in areas such as anaesthesia.
We can’t wait to work with you and look forward to supporting you both now, and in the future, in your career as a veterinary nurse.
Wishing you all the best in your upcoming ventures.
Julie Dugmore (RCVS Director of Veterinary Nursing) and Belinda Andrews-Jones (Chair of RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council)
What's changed?
There have been some exciting changes to the profession over the last few years. These have helped make vet nursing a more rewarding career, with more options for career development and progression.
The Register of Veterinary Nurses
Amendments to the Supplemental Royal Charter in 2015 enabled a Register of Veterinary Nurses to be formed. This means that all veterinary nurses are professionals in their own right.
Veterinary Nurses work to and are regulated under the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct. This has brought the role to a new level of professionalism and accountability.
The Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (CertAVN)
The CertAVN qualification enables veterinary nurses to explore and become more competent in specific areas of interest. It was first delivered in 2019 and is available as a level 6 or 7 post-registration qualification.
The CertAVN is delivered by a selection of providers in a variety of clinical and non-clinical disciplines. The list of options is ever-expanding.
Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) Assessors
Veterinary nurses can now become assessors for the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS). This change was approved by the RCVS Council in January 2021.
This was an important development for the veterinary nursing profession, whose role in the Practice Standards Scheme has long been recognised as invaluable. It also provides career advancement opportunities for veterinary nurses involved.
VN School Ambassadors
The VN Futures School Ambassadors Scheme helps veterinary nurses provide careers information on vet nursing to school age children. The scheme was launched by the VN Futures Project in 2022. Being an ambassador allows VNs to have an impact on the future of their profession, and to help it to grow and evolve.
Our work to reform the Veterinary Surgeons Act
Vet nurses play an essential role in the practice team. As part of our work to reform the Veterinary Surgeons Act, we want to expand the role of vet nurses so they can enjoy greater professional growth and fulfil their potential.
Supporting your return
We’ve got a number of resources and initiatives designed to support you as you return to practice.
RCVS Academy
The RCVS Academy has an ever-growing selection of high quality, engaging learning to support you in your continuing professional development.
Nurse Return Academy course
Our Nurse Return course is designed to help you return to clinical practice after a break. It guides you through the process of updating your nursing practice, helping you identify any areas you might need to develop. It also includes specific information for those doing the Period of Supervised Practice (PSP).
Period of Supervised Practice (PSP)
If you’ve not been on the Register for longer than five years, you'll need to complete a Period of Supervised Practice (PSP). The PSP involves spending a minimum of 17 weeks in clinical practice, working with a named mentor who’ll support you to refresh your skills.
Mind Matters Initiative (MMI)
Our Mind Matters Initiative was developed to support veterinary professionals with their mental health and wellbeing. The MMI runs events and training, as well as offer various resources and signposts to help promote mental wellbeing.
Events
We hold and attend a number of events throughout the year, where we give updates on our work. They're also a great opportunity for you to network and develop your skills.
Useful links
Links to additional information and resources available to you.
- VN Council - Find out more about the work of RCVS Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council.
- VN Futures - Find out more about the work of the VN Futures project.
- Leadership - Access information on the RCVS leadership initiative, including the RCVS leadership library.
- RCVS Knowledge - Find out more about the work of RCVS Knowledge, including Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine, Quality Improvement and the Knowledge library.
- BVNA - Get the latest updates from the representative body for veterinary nurses.