We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new head of veterinary nursing, Julie Dugmore.
Julie has been appointed to replace Libby Earle, who left the College in April. Julie, a registered veterinary nurse, joined the College in December 2002, initially as an External Verifier, later becoming VN Quality Manager. She took up her new post on 1 October and was on the stand at BVNA Congress in early October to meet BVNA members and other veterinary nurses.
Commenting on her appointment, Julie says: “I am really looking forward to my new role, and working with the BVNA to ensure that the regulation of the veterinary nursing profession develops in a way that best reflects the talents and aspirations of those hard-working nurses at the coal-face, as well as the expectations of animal owners and the public.”
Julie will report to RCVS director of education, Freda Andrews. Meanwhile, Christine Warman has become head of education at the College.
Forging ahead?
In recent months, we have noted an increased number of students submitting fraudulently completed Student Records of Veterinary Nurse Training in support of their application for entry to the Register of Veterinary Nurses.
As this is the document that, when completed, contributes to registration as a professional, that’s not a great start. In fact, the submission of a falsified document in support of a Register application could potentially bar registration.
In some cases, we have found that the signatures of Training Practice Principals or Heads of Centre have been forged. In addition, entries have been covered in correction fluid after the Training Practice Principal has signed, so that it appears as though the student has completed more training time.
“Years of hard work and dedication to training come to fruition when a student enters their name on to the Register of Veterinary Nurses, and this milestone marks the start of a professional record with the RCVS,” says Julie Dugmore.
“Although we appreciate that every newly qualified nurse wants to register as soon as possible, it is essential that registration documentation is completed accurately and with integrity,” she adds.
App happy
Have you downloaded our free Code app yet? It’s available for both Apple and Android devices.
Once installed, the app provides smartphone and tablet users with a mobile-friendly version of the Code and all 27 chapters of supporting guidance in their pockets, even when there is no network connection. Whenever the Code is updated, the latest version will be available to download the next time the device is online.
The app also offers a keyword search of the whole Code and supporting guidance, links to other sources of information and contact details for further advice over the phone or e-mail.
To install the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct app on your android device, visit Google Play and search for 'RCVS code’.
To install it on an Apple device, visit the RCVS Code web pages (www.rcvs.org.uk/vncode) in the device’s internet browser, click on the app link in the Code tool box on the right hand side, and follow the simple instructions.
This is our first app and we would love to hear what you think about it – or suggestions for future apps. Please send an e-mail to Christine James in the Communications Department, at christinej@rcvs.org
Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 28 • November 2013 •