The RCVS List of Veterinary Nurses Incorporating the Register of Veterinary Nurses 2010 has been published and includes 6,781 Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) leaving just 1,888 on the List. This means that 78% of eligible VNs have now registered, which is great news.

RVNs indicate a willingness to be accountable for their professional practice, by following the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and keeping their skills up-to-date through Continuing Professional Development.

Only Registered Veterinary Nurses are able to use the letters RVN after their name. If you have not registered and would like to, contact the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Department for a transfer pack, either by telephoning 020 7202 0788 or sending an e-mail to vetnursing@rcvs.org.uk Transfer is free of charge.

The data used in the List/Register are correct as of 8 February 2010. You can check the most up-to-date information on RCVSonline, www.rcvs.org.uk/vnlist. All listed/registered veterinary nurses should by now have received a copy of the List/Register, and additional copies can be purchased from the College at £10 each – contact publications@rcvs.org.uk

New standards for scheme

If you are working in a practice that is accredited under the voluntary Practice Standards Scheme – or one that is working towards accreditation – be aware that a new manual came into force on 1st April. It includes new standards agreed by the Practice Standards Group, on which the BVNA has a representative – Amy Poultney. New among the standards is that the practice must have in place an annual performance review system for all clinical staff to monitor and plan their development.

There is also a development in the way in which inspections will take place. It’s no longer just about checking that the right paperwork is in place – although this remains important – but ensuring that practice teams actually use protocols and systems, and that they are embedded in daily life. This may mean that, as an employee of a practice being inspected, you are called upon by the inspector to explain how a particular protocol which affects you is put into place. The new manual can be downloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk/newpssmanual.

May VN Council meeting

The next meeting of VN Council will take place on Tuesday 11 May. Papers for the meeting will be available online two weeks beforehand – see www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil. For those following a particular issue, the minutes will be available as a paper submitted to the 3rd June meeting of RCVS Council – again available online before the meeting.

• VOL 25 • No5 • May 2010 • Veterinary Nursing Journal