Dear Reader,

National Veterinary Nursing Week 2011, 17th – 23rd July, is nearly upon us and preparations are underway for a variety of events at many practices. The main purpose of National Veterinary VN Week is to promote the veterinary nursing profession to the public and, as 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of veterinary nursing in the UK, this year is particularly significant. Further details can be found on page 180 – it’s not too late to plan an event with your practice team, so why not get involved and in doing so raise money for this years’ charity The Cinnamon Trust. This is the only specialised national charity for people in their last years and their much needed companion animal.

In this month’s journal, Clare Main presents the second part of her feature on nursing care plans. Nursing care plans were certainly not even dreamt of 50 years ago and this is just one of the ways in which our profession has developed its vital role in practice.

Zoe Halfacree has written an article on chest drains which gives an in-depth look at how to manage this difficult intensive nursing procedure; and for those of you who are interested in alternative therapies, there is an article on acupuncture by Holly Marsh. Looking to the future, James Jamieson gives advice on saving money and Nicky Ackerley has written about the legal aspects of retiring from practice.

And for those of you who didn’t spot it, you may be interested to know that VNJ readers are in good company: Paddy, the veterinary surgeon in the ITV soap 'Emmerdale’ was spotted with a copy of the VNJ in a recent episode of the programme!

Author

Helen Field Cert Ed RVN Executive Editor

To cite this editorial use either

DOI: 10.1111/j.2045-0648.2011.00045.x or Veterinary Nursing Journal Vol 26 pp178

.• VOL 26 • June 2011 • Veterinary Nursing Journal