Today, the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) launches its annual Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM), also taking place in the association’s 60^th year.

With 2025 continuing the theme of ‘Progression’ for a second year, the purpose of VNAM is to raise awareness of the veterinary nursing profession to the public and pet caregivers, by:

• Championing the varied and skilled work that veterinary nurses undertake every day
• Highlighting the vital role of veterinary nurses in advocating for animal welfare, along with promoting public health
• Showcasing the diversity of backgrounds and career paths within the veterinary nursing profession
• Raising awareness of why the ‘veterinary nurse’ title must be protected in law

In order to spread this message as far as possible, BVNA invites every member of the veterinary profession, alongside the pet owning public, to back the campaign and drive awareness.

“Who is the diamond in your practice?”

BVNA’s annual VNAM competition makes a return once again in 2025, and is taking on a special theme during the association’s diamond anniversary year. This year’s competition invites nominations of individual SVNs or RVNs, or whole veterinary nursing teams, and why they are “the diamond in your practice”.

Nominations are invited from:

• Individuals, veterinary nursing teams or whole practice/workplace teams
• Friends and family outside of practice
• Pet owners and caregivers

More information about VNAM 2025 and this year’s competition can be found at the BVNA website here.

Message from BVNA President, Lyndsay Hughes:

“VNAM is an enormous highlight of our year at BVNA. It’s such an inspiration to see veterinary nursing being showcased by our members and the wider veterinary profession, educating the public about their crucial and skilled work carried out every day. I truly hope that veterinary nurses everywhere, whether in or out of clinical practice, can use this month to recognise and celebrate the value they bring to our very special profession.

“This year’s campaign theme of ‘Progression’ is especially poignant at the current time, as we celebrate the 60^th year since BVNA was launched – and we recognise just how far the veterinary nursing profession has come since 1965.

“As we reflect on how much veterinary nursing has changed in the past 60 years, it is not lost on me that also nearly 60 years old is the long-outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act. At BVNA, we are continuing our role as a key stakeholder in work with Defra, towards much-needed legislative reform.

“We’re listening to our members and ensuring their voices are heard loud and clear – seeking legislation which better reflects the skilled profession that veterinary nursing is today; protecting the ‘veterinary nurse’ title, and enabling greater opportunity for progression and growth within career pathways. As this work continues, public understanding of veterinary nurses will be crucial to gain support for a new Act. It’s therefore never been more important to raise awareness of all things veterinary nursing, not least for the fundamental role we have in safeguarding animal welfare and public health.

“We’re calling for the entire veterinary profession to support this year’s campaign, along with pet owners and caregivers. I can’t wait to see individuals, teams and businesses all joining us to celebrate veterinary nurses – and nominating the ‘diamonds’ in the profession too.”