VN Futures will be highlighting some of its key initiatives at this year’s BSAVA Congress in April, delivering three presentations on Thursday 2 April in the RCVS stream of presentations.
Lou Northway RVN and Lisa Bonnett MRCVS, will begin these presentations with a talk entitled “A collaborative approach to delegation in practice – maximising the role of the VN in the vet-led team," running from 2.05 pm to 2.50 pm. Their presentation will discuss collaboration between the vet and VN teams, and they will share their experiences of how their teams work together to provide an example for delegates.
“Team work and communication within veterinary practice are pivotal to success, satisfaction and well-being of all team members. This is why, in our presentation, we will guide you through a typical day in our practice and show you the various ways our vet and VN teams work together and delegate tasks and responsibilities. In addition to this, we will explain the steps used to create an encouraging and inclusive collaborative learning environment alongside delegation" says Lou.
Racheal Marshall RVN, Chair for RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council, will present the second VN Futures presentation, entitled “Inspiring future generation of VNs through the VN Futures School Ambassador Project" which will run from 3 pm to 3.45 pm. The School Ambassador Project, launched in November 2019, addresses the need for highlighting and supporting pathways into the veterinary nursing profession, starting as early as primary school.
“We know that very little career information about veterinary nursing is available at many schools and so it is vitally important to the veterinary nursing profession that we are well positioned to share information and advice on VN careers. This is why, under this project, a group of enthusiastic VN ambassadors is going to inspire the next generation of potential veterinary nurses and deliver careers advice and information about veterinary nursing to school age children" says Rachael.
Becky Jones RVN will present the final VN Futures presentation, entitled “Nursing in the community – the potential of the community nurse role in one health" from 3.55 pm to 4.40 pm. During this session, Becky will share profiles of veterinary nurses performing such roles, which will demonstrate their diversity and value to the community.
“As the concept of One Health continues to gather momentum, there is an increased recognition of the benefits of human-centred healthcare and veterinary professionals working together for the benefit of both human and animal patients. The establishment of the Community Veterinary Nurse is a great example of this and this is why we want to explore the scope for this role in more depth," says Becky.
If you are interested in getting involved in VN Futures, or if you wish to invite someone to visit your practice or event to talk about the project, you can contact Jill Macdonald on jill@vnfutures.org.
City & Guilds to cease offering veterinary nursing qualifications
In January, the RCVS was disappointed to learn of City & Guilds’ decision to withdraw veterinary nursing from its portfolio of qualifications – affecting:
• Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Small Animals) (745703) Ofqual Accreditation No: 600/6052/9
• Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Equine) (7457-13) Ofqual Accreditation No: 600/6052/9
• Level 3 Diploma in Small Animal Veterinary Nursing (7457-33) Ofqual Accreditation No: 603/5101/9
• Level 3 Diploma in Equine Veterinary Nursing (7457-43) Ofqual Accreditation No: 603/5102/0
• City & Guilds has also said it no longer intends to apply to become an End-point Assessment Organisation for the veterinary nursing apprenticeship end-point assessment.
In real terms, this means that the City & Guilds will accept no new registrations from 1 September 2020, and will cease certificating existing qualifications from 1 September 2023.
Susan Howarth RVN, Chair of the RCVS Veterinary Nurse Education Committee said, “We fully recognise this will be worrying news for many VN students, so our immediate priority is to provide as much information and reassurance as possible to those currently enrolled with City & Guilds-approved centres, or those who might be intending to enrol soon. We will also be liaising closely with City & Guilds to ensure the needs of their VN learners continue to be met and all commitments to them honoured up to September 2023."
We have published a list of frequently asked questions on our website to help address what are likely to be the most immediate concerns, which we will add to as more information becomes available.
Anyone with additional questions or concerns at this stage should speak to their Centre in the first instance, or contact the RCVS VN team at vetnursing@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0788.
The College will also work closely with the two other awarding organisations – Central Qualifications and VetSkill – and with the Higher Education establishments that offer alternative routes to VN qualifications, to consider how best to prevent a shortfall in VN training places arising from City & Guilds’ decision to withdraw these qualifications.
Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 35 • April 2020 •