The votes cast in the 2012 RCVS Veterinary Nurse Council (VNC) elections are now in: one new member has been elected and one existing member has been returned.
Of the three candidates standing for election, current vice-chairman, Kathy Kissick, has been re elected for a further four-year term, and equine veterinary nurse, Elizabeth Figg, has been elected for the first time.
Kathy Kissick
Elizabeth Figg
Elizabeth (Lizzie) will take up her seat on Council and Kathy have hers re-confirmed, at RCVS Day on 6 July 2012. Kathy will also step up to the chair of VN Council, succeeding Liz Branscombe.
Although it’s good news for the pair, turnout for the election continued to be disappointing, with just 743 veterinary nurses (7.5%) choosing to exercise their right to vote. In 2011, 723 nurses voted; but while 20 more returned their choices this year, there was a very slight drop in the percentage of those eligible to vote who did so (down from 7.6% in 2011).
The full result of the election is as follows
Name Votes Status
Katherine Kissick 496 Elected
Elizabeth Figg 297 Elected
Phillippe Ramboaniaina 259 Unselected
New code now live
The new Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses was launched at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) World Congress in Birmingham in April, and pocket sized hard copies have now been sent to all registered and listed veterinary nurses. A version for veterinary surgeons was launched at the same time.
Although the College hopes that all nurses will ensure they meet the standards outlined in the Code, only registered veterinary nurses have agreed to be accountable for their professional practice.
The Code was approved by VN Council earlier this year, following a lengthy consultation and review process that began in 2009. It replaces the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses.
The new Code is principles-based, easily accessible and, at 16 pages long compared to the 50-page Guide, much more concise. It brings the Colleges guidance into line with the codes of conduct of other regulatory bodies, and helps to describe those professional responsibilities that are fundamental to a veterinary nurses professional practice.
In common with the veterinary Code, the new VN Code sets out five principles of practice: professional competence; honesty and integrity; independence and impartiality; client confidentiality and trust; and professional accountability.
To expand on – and clarify – these professional responsibilities, additional detailed supporting guidance has been published on the RCVS website, which also consolidates and updates all existing RCVS guidance for veterinary professionals.
The Code and supporting guidance can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/VNcod
Online CPD recording
Hot off the press is the new VN Professional Development Record. This is the new online version of the Continuing Professional Development Card, which all VNs can use to plan and record how they keep up to date.
The online log gives a wealth of help to identify different ways of achieving the VN CPD commitment, many of which don’t involve paying for a course or taking time off work. The link is www.vnpdr.org.uk and you will need your RCVS PIN (the number on your registration card) and date of birth in order to activate your account. Instructions and CPD guidance are available within the system.
Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 27 • June 2012 •