If you attended the BVNA Congress, you would have seen our newly-launched badge for registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) – and you might even have sampled the chocolate version!
The new badge aims to highlight the fact that RVNs, while qualified to the same level as their listed colleagues, stand apart because they additionally agree to account for their professional practice and keep their skills and knowledge up to date.
It builds upon the old badge but with the word ‘registered’ underneath. Plans for a more dramatic departure from the existing badge were dropped when the College saw the affection with which veterinary nurses held the traditional antique silver-and-red-enamel badge, introduced in 1984.
“There is currently no legislation to protect veterinary nurses’ title and area of work, but we have not stood still and the Register shows a real commitment to developing our status as professionals,” says Liz Branscombe, VN Council chairman. “We need to ensure this commitment is recognised by clients and others in the veterinary team, and hope the new badge will make it easier to identify who is professionally accountable.”
The new badge will be presented to all those qualifying since 4th July 2011, and those registering earlier can purchase it for £15 (to cover the cost of the badge and engraving it with the RVN’s individual number) up until the 31st January 2012. RVNs are under no obligation to purchase the new badge, although we hope that many will choose to do so to mark the step forward which the profession has made. Visit the website for an order form.
The new badge. Two nurses admire the new badge (and the chocolate versions!) on the RCVS stand at the BVNA Congress
Future regulation
The VN Council has set up a Veterinary Nurse Legislation Working Group, which is developing proposals for statutory regulation to put to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Awareness of the need for statutory regulation was raised at a reception at the House of Commons on 11th October, hosted by Roger Gale MR The event celebrated the first half-century of veterinary nursing, and promoted the benefits for animals and their owners of legal recognition of VNs. For more information, visit www.rcvs.org.uk/VNat50
Coded information
If you plan to visit the London Vet Show on 24-25 November at Olympia, come and visit the RCVS stand, where you can take part in our Code competition. You are also welcomed to join our breakfast meeting at 8.30am on the Friday to hear College president, Jerry Davies, talk about the draft new Codes of Professional Conduct for veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons and what they mean for you.
VECTAR meeting
The recently-funded VECTAR project, which aims to develop the Nursing Progress Log into Europe, is holding a kick-off meeting at the College on 10th November. A limited number of free spaces are available; so if you are a clinical coach or tutor, and would like to come, please contact vetnursing@rcvs.org.uk for more information.
Veterinary Nursing Journal• VOL 26 • November 2011 •