The VN Futures Diversity, Inclusivity and Widening Participation Working Group (DIWP) has today launched free-to-access guidance which seeks to support those within the VN profession holding religious beliefs by providing information for training providers and practices on how to best accommodate these beliefs and any associated clothing.

In producing the guidance, the VN Futures DIWP has built upon the work of the RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Working Group (DIG) and the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Student Support Working Group, which jointly developed similar guidance for veterinary students. This guidance has been adapted and developed by DIWP to be applicable and relevant to the VN profession.

The guidance document provides practical recommendations enabling veterinary environments and workplaces to offer accommodations wherever possible, in order to support diversity and inclusion amongst the VN profession.

VN Futures is a joint initiative between The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) which aims to promote veterinary nursing as a career path whilst promoting the sustainability of the existing workforce. The DIWP group, established in 2021, has to date delivered a series of campaigns promoting accessibility of the VN profession to those from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

A Guide for Training Providers and Practices: Religious Clothing and Beliefs can be downloaded here;

Guidance on religious clothing and beliefs

Alex Taylor, BVNA Senior Vice President and Chair of DIWP, said: “The VN Futures DIWP is proud to have been involved with putting together this guidance document. Not only will it provide reliable and useful advice about religious clothing and beliefs for educators, trainers and employers of veterinary nurses, but it will also help demonstrate that the veterinary nursing profession is open to people from all backgrounds, and everyone is valued in a supportive workplace environment.”

Jill Macdonald, VN Futures Project Lead, added: “The aim of the VN Futures DIWP is to actively address diversity and inclusivity, specifically within the veterinary nursing profession, and consider the support needed by those from diverse backgrounds who are already working within the profession. The publication of our religious clothing document is a massive step forward in helping to make sure that everybody not only feels included as valuable members of the veterinary team, but inherently respected for who they are as individuals.”

The VN Futures DIWP working group’s campaigns have this year also included: career changes into veterinary nursing; equity and inclusion for those who are deaf or hard of hearing; menopause awareness; and flexible working.

More information can be found at the following links: