Author: Daisy Parr, PGCHE, BSc (Hons), ADipAAB, RVN, IQA, FHEA

ABSTRACT This article aims to support clinical supervisors working with student veterinary nurses (SVNs) to achieve competency within the Nursing Progress Log, specifically the ‘Review and discuss evidence-based nursing’ skill, which sits within the Communication section for both equine and small animal pathways. Evidence-based veterinary medicine is a core professional value promoted by RCVS Knowledge and underpins informed clinical decision-making, quality improvement and improved patient outcomes. The article outlines what evidence-based veterinary medicine is, why it is relevant to veterinary nursing, and how it can be applied in practice using a structured five-step approach: asking a focused clinical question, acquiring relevant literature, appraising the evidence, applying findings to practice, and assessing the impact. Challenges associated with sourcing and evaluating veterinary literature are discussed, alongside the importance of understanding reliability, validity and levels of evidence. Key resources, including the RCVS Knowledge evidence-based veterinary medicine toolkits, are highlighted. Practical guidance is provided for clinical supervisors on how to support SVNs to evidence this skill within the Nursing Progress Log. A worked example, based on pain management in rabbits, demonstrates how evidence-based nursing can be reviewed, contextualised and disseminated within the practice team. The article emphasises the role of clinical supervisors in building student confidence, encouraging engagement with research and supporting professional development.
Keywords clinical supervisor, Nursing Progress Log, NPL, student support, research, education

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56496/VWAH8519

To cite this article: Parr, D. (2026) Support for clinical supervisors Review and discuss evidence-based nursing. VNJ 41(2) pp48-51.

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