Judges had an even tougher job this year, after receiving a record breaking number of nominations for the three categories. This year's nominations included many from veterinary practice clients, reflecting just how much veterinary nurses are appreciated within their communities.

The deserving winners of the Awards are as follows;

"BVNA are delighted at the number of nominations received and are honoured to be able to present awards to such dedicated and committed veterinary nurses" said Louisa Baker RVN MBVNA, BVNA President.

All winners received gift vouchers and trophies at the Northern Ireland Congress gala party in recognition of their dedication to veterinary nursing, their patients, clients and colleagues.

EWG is a standing committee of BVA Council which considers ethical issues arising from the interaction of animals with human society. It provides a forum where difficult issues can be questioned and challenged, and plays an integral role in developing BVA policy in any area relating to animal health and welfare. EWG is not concerned with professional ethics; that is the role of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

BVA are welcoming all qualified and non-qualified veterinary nurses who have an interest in ethics and welfare and an enthusiasm to contribute including those with ethics training and those teaching in veterinary schools.

For more information and an application form please see the below downloads;

Please note that you do not have to be a BVA member to apply.

Please send your completed application to susiec@bva.co.uk or by post to 7 Mansfield Street, London W1G 9NQ by 4pm on 5 July 2013

Please click here to see the five candidates and view their manifestos

BVNA Members can vote by submitting their voting form (which was circulated in the June issue of VNJ) by post, fax or email or online via https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bvnacouncilvoting

The results of the postal voting will be announced in the September VNj and ratified at the BVNA Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Sunday 13 October 2013 at Telford International Centre, Shropshire.

All BVNA Members are invited to attend this AGM.

Adding this qualification isn't as straight forward as one may think; AMTRA is the awarding body for the SQP qualifications; therefore there would be two codes of practice to follow:

The RVN would need to question which code would take preference! In addition there would have to be separate assessment to define which will create higher costs to the student and college. When questioning the actual need for the C-SQP in practice, it will come down to that individual practice and their requirements. Currently there are 10 products that can be prescribed by a qualified C-SQP - these are in three drug categories. This would be valid only if a practice has a consulting nurse who, on a day to day basis, prescribes this type of medication. The J-SQP (Equine) has a greater demand in mixed and equine practices.

The C-SQP qualification is 5 credits, this equates to 50 hours additional studying on advanced pharmacology, which will mean additional pressure on an already compact syllabus.

The BVNA appreciates that the RVN's have extensive knowledge on pharmaceuticals via their current VN training; however, adding the C-SQP qualification is not justifiable and should be acquired as an additional qualification.

Their assignment was submitted and a detailed report was provided which explained the training requirements, areas of training undertaken, the role of the veterinary nurse and how nurses are registered in the UK and work under Schedule 3.

BVNA feels that by providing information for research to other countries it provides a greater insight into the UK VN qualification and the work taken by veterinary nurses in the UK.

It was felt that an overview of veterinary salaries from both practising and industry sectors would be of interest to members in all organisations.

BVNA would like to urge all members to complete the survey as the more responses received the more you will get back.

If you have two or more jobs, please complete a separate survey for each of your employments.

The closing date for the survey is 31 May 2013 | Click the link below to take part:

After a career change in her 30's Fiona shares her experiences from leaving a career working within insurance to fulfilling a dream of working with animals, saying the job is more than she'd ever hoped!

To view the full article please click on the image

Have any of your students undertaken research?

Does the research:

The poster presentation sessions will provide an opportunity for informal discussion with attendees at congress, however the posters will be on display throughout congress enabling viewing at all times.

The aim of the sessions are to provide an opportunity to share experience, discuss work in progress and highlight good practice and innovation in veterinary nursing clinical practice and education.

If research has been undertaken as part of a graduate programme, and you feel that the wider veterinary nursing profession should know about it, please submit an abstract within one of the categories detailed in the guidance and submission form.

We look forward to receiving applications in the near future.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DOWNLOAD SUBMISSION FORMS

Entry is open to any veterinary nursing student who is registered with the RCVS.

Additional information can be found on the BVNA website along with a submission form and entry deadline.

Please click the links below for full details

Centre of Photo | BVNA Council Member, Lucy Hayne

Help raise funds for the wonderful charity, Hounds For Heroes, that aims to restore hope to those who have been injured in the service of their country by getting Fit In Kit!

For more info please visit http://www.fitinkit.com/

The Association is particularly pleased to have achieved this award as the standard is a very challenging one to meet and is increasingly seen as a measure of a quality employer.

"BVNA are delighted to achieve this award again this year, it is particularly gratifying we’ve achieved over and above the standard IIP with the Bronze Award. This award reflects the commitment staff and council team provide to the running of the Association” said Louisa Baker, BVNA President.

BVNA Council Members and Office Team are attending a number of events both during May and throughout the year, so even if you can't hold your own event you could always come along to an organised one and help out. Please visit our ‘National Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month' Facebook page and post your events.

The competition is now officially open \0/ please simply click here to register your event and let us know how you wish to get involved.

The winners of the following categories and prizes will be announced in the October issue of VNJ;

Prize: Laptop & runner-up prize Kindlefire

Prize: Netbook & runner-up prize £100 high street vouchers

Prize: Digital Camera & Accessories with runner-up prize £75 Amazon vouchers

Students are being asked to submit a reflective account on any aspect of their first practical experience as a student veterinary nurse. It should provide a clear insight into the role of the Veterinary Nurse in the 21st century as well as evidence of a passion for the role and an interest in development of the individual and the profession as a whole.

Entry is open to any veterinary nursing student who is registered with the RCVS. CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DOWNLOAD A SUBMISSION FORM:

http://www.bvnacongress.co.uk/news/2013/02/21/bvna-launches-new-student-competition.html

The British Veterinary Nursing Association is calling on all full members to consider standing for election onto BVNA Council.

Important attributes for candidates are a strong commitment to promoting the ideals of the BVNA as well as the veterinary nursing profession in general and a willingness to devote time and effort to representing their fellow members.

If necessary a member of BVNA Council will second your nomination. In the event of a second nomination being received for the same nominee, this will be accepted as also having seconded the initial nomination.

PLEASE NOTE - As laid down in the Memorandum and Articles of Association:

Nominees will be contacted to confirm their willingness to stand for election and will be asked to submit a brief manifesto and a passport sized photo. The list of nominees, their manifestos and photos will be published in the September issue of the VNJ and the results will be announced and ratified at the Annual General Meeting on Sunday 13 October 2013 at Telford International Centre, Telford, Shropshire.

Completed forms should be posted to the BVNA Office in Harlow or faxed to 01279 408645

ALL FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 30TH APRIL 2013 (AS POSTMARK)

If you have any queries, please contact the BVNA office:

bvna@bvna.org.uk | Tel: 01279 408644 | Fax: 01279 408645

Use your vote and help us support you!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR NOMINATION FORM NOW!

She has gradually taken on extra tasks throughout her years such as membership and BVNA Congress exhibitors bookings.

Now, as Association Manager, Angela runs the office in Harlow and oversees all activities that the association undertakes.

BVNA President, Louisa Baker, said “Angie is a credit to the BVNA and it’s an honour to work with her. She has the ability to keep calm even at the highest of stress levels and remains professional at all times”

Congratulations Angie, here’s to the next 20!!

PG Mutual's Chief Executive, Mike Perry, comments, "With the frequent stories in the news about employers and the state cutting back on benefits, any professionals, such as BVNA members, are giving serious consideration to where their income could come from if they couldn't work due to illness or injury and recognising the importance of income protection insurance.

We were delighted to support the BVNA at their Congress last year, and look forward to working with them in the future".

For more information on the Income Protection Insurance offered by PG Mutual and other membership benefits please visit http://www.bvna.org.uk/smartweb/membership/benefits. Current members can find more details by logging into the members only section.

Sophie Daniels RVN from Langford Veterinary Services wins weekend registration for the ‘BVNA Congress 2013'

Well done Sophie!