Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) are trained, highly skilled and dedicated professionals. They are an integral part of the veterinary team who provide high quality nursing care for animals. RVNs provide supportive care for their patients and are also qualified to undertake minor surgery, monitor anaesthesia, administer medical treatment, and perform diagnostic tests under the veterinary surgeon’s direction.

The title ‘veterinary nurse’ is currently not protected by law. This means that anyone (regardless of any training or experience) can call themselves a veterinary nurse.

The BVNA (British Veterinary Nursing Association) and BVA (British Veterinary Association) have long called for the protection of the title ‘veterinary nurse’, which has now been recommended to the government (DEFRA) by the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) Council as part of wider legislative change to the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act.

The RCVS also supports protection of the title ‘veterinary nurse’ and in 2015 they started a government petition and campaign to see if this could be considered for a debate in parliament. Even though 36,000 signatures were received, this was not enough for a government petition at that time. The RCVS remain very supportive of protecting the title and it is included in their proposals for new legislation.

On Monday 26th September, the BVNA will be launching a survey to gather information from the veterinary profession, to provide us with a better understanding of how people feel about this issue, plus how it may or may not affect them, their patients, and the public. We will also be surveying the public too.

The survey will be available via the BVNA website, between Monday 26th September and Wednesday 30th November. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your say about this important issue.

BVNA strive to be the voice of veterinary nurses and are here to represent YOU.

Read BVA’s position statement on the Vet-Led Team here: https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/the-vet-led-team/

Read the RCVS Legislation Working Party recommendations here: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/policy/veterinary-legislation-review/.