Are you ready for regulation?

The Register for veterinary nurses opens in September. Will you sign up...?

The non-statutory Register will open on
1st September 2007. It will be optional for those qualifying before January 1 2003, and those qualifying after this date will automatically be transferred. Those on the Register will become RVNs and be subject to a Code of Conduct for Veterinary Nurses, which includes guidelines for remaining competent to practice, through CPD and a supervised period of practice after a career break of more than five years.

It will cost the same to be registered as it does to list with the RCVS.

The RCVS is considering plans to issue all RVNs with badges, and posters will become available to go into our waiting rooms to advise clients of the difference between VNs and RVNs.

The BVNA believes that registration for veterinary nurses is the way forward for the profession, both in recognition and respect and we hope to be instrumental in providing quality approved CPD for veterinary nurses through our courses and the journal.

The BVNA will play an increasingly important role in lobbying and representing the views of veterinary nurses once we are subject to regulation, and so it will become even more important to join and support your association.

The legal helpline which is available to all members is well used now, but will become a gold mine of support and advice for nurses who will be responsible for their own actions for the first time.

With regards to indemnity insurance, when and if it becomes necessary, the BVNA will ensure adequate cover is available for its members. At this stage and for the foreseeable future, all employed veterinary nurses are covered by their employer’s insurance, including locum nurses, and therefore extra insurance is not required. The only people this does not apply to are those working independently (and therefore cannot work as veterinary nurses undertaking Schedule 3 under the present law, as they are not under supervision of a veterinary surgeon), for example: pet-sitters and behaviourists consulting independently in people’s homes.

For more information see the next issue of VNJ (“Regulation Special”) or go to www.rcvs.org.uk