Last year, MSD Animal Health launched its first Veterinary Nurse Research Bursary, supported by the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), adding to its existing vet surgeon and vet student schemes.   One £1000 bursary will be made available to the student or qualified veterinary nurse in the UK with the best research project application.  There will be a further opportunity to win additional prizes of  £1,000 and £500 for the best proposals and presentations at the MSD Animal Health’s Research Bursary Day in June 2020.

Michelle Townley, Veterinary Advisor at MSD Animal Health comments:  “We are delighted that we’ve had such a positive response from veterinary nurses since we launched this new research bursary last year.  We want to encourage as many veterinary nurses as possible to apply.  We view our investment in research, and the pursuit of new knowledge, as the lifeblood of the veterinary industry.”

For further details go to the MSD Animal Health Research Bursary website at www.msdahresearchbursary.co.uk.

One £20,000 grant will be awarded each year for five years, starting in 2019 (making a £100,000 total by 2023) to fund research that focuses on mental health and wellbeing within the veterinary professions, including areas such as prevention, diagnosis, intervention and treatment.

Applications are welcome from individuals at all stages of their research careers, including those who have not previously been published, with research proposals relating to any aspect of mental health or wellbeing in the veterinary professions. Researchers must be affiliated with a university, and ethical approval must be in place.

RCVS CEO, Lizzie Lockett, says: “Sarah Brown was a talented veterinary surgeon who was passionate about her profession. She was respected and loved by so many people and worked hard to support others. So it is fitting that, with the blessing of Sarah’s family, we are able to launch this grant in her memory. It’s only by improving the veterinary mental health evidence base that we will be able to hone the interventions and support that is available to members of the veterinary team.”

Applicants should send their research proposal, along with a CV and short biography for all lead researchers, to Lisa Quigley, Mind Matters Initiative Manager, by 5pm on Friday 31 May 2019.

Each proposal should be a maximum of 3,000 words and should include aims, methods, ethical considerations, proposed timelines, and a bibliography. Any academic literature referred to within the proposal should be accurately referenced. The winner of the grant will be decided in June 2019, with the winner then receiving their award at Royal College Day in London on Friday 12 July 2019.

The recipient of the Sarah Brown Mental Health Research Grant for 2019 will be invited to present their research findings at the biennial Mind Matters Initiative Research Symposium in 2021.

Applications are particularly welcomed from those at an early stage in their research career.

Guidance on how to prepare a research proposal is available at: https://esrc.ukri.org/funding/guidance-for-applicants/how-to-write-a-good-research-grant-proposal

We have been working with BVNAs Learning & Development committee and we have decided to tweak what was previously known as Clinical Abstracts Competition and associated Science Café at BVNA Congress. We are very keen to continue running the competition because supporting and sharing research is vital for the continuing progression of the profession in terms of further education and development relating to animal welfare, engaging owners, aspects relating to practice management and veterinary nursing education.

We would like to invite researchers to submit an abstract based on their research project and subject to peer-review, the researchers will be asked to provide a bite-sized summary of their research in the form of poster presentation at BVNA Congress 2019. Traditionally, the best poster competition has been determined by judges alone but one of the changes we are excited to inform you about is that delegates will also be able to vote for their favourite poster presentation too. Both the judges’ and delegates’ opinions will be used to determine the winner of the poster competition.

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Please visit our event page to view the programme and see what's happening.

There's an excellent lecture programme, as well as great workshop sessions and exciting social events.

So please be sure to book your tickets and join us for the veterinary nursing event of the year!

The British Veterinary Nursing Association is calling on all full members AND student members to stand for election onto BVNA Council. 

This year we have 3 full member (RVN) seats and 2 student member seats available on BVNA Council so if you are passionate about our profession and would like to make a difference nominate yourself and join us as the voice for veterinary nurses.

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ALL WEBINARS ARE FREE FOR BVNA MEMBERS. www.vnknowledge.co.uk

Click the video below for an introduction

ALL WEBINARS ARE FREE FOR BVNA MEMBERS. www.vnknowledge.co.uk

Click the video below for an introduction

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Natalie is currently studying for her Bsc in Veterinary Nursing at the Royal Veterinary College.

The project aims to be relevant to clinical practice to see whether, or how often, the body condition score is being used on patients. Results from this may indicate whether owner education about weight management in companion animals needs to be improved within veterinary practice.

To assist with Natalie's research please click the link below and complete her questionnaire:

https://rvc.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/the-body-condition-score-and-weight-management-the-veteri

BVNA would like to send its thoughts and condolences to Rosemary's family and friends at this difficult time.

Rosemary Popplewell's Biog

In 1961 or it may have been 1962 a bunch of hopeful candidates - about 30 - 40 in number made their way into the Royal Veterinary College building in Royal College Street near Mornington Crescent. We were shown up to a room to take the first part of the ANA exam (I can remember the smell of boiled fish to this day!) I think we had practical questions but I am not sure.

A year later the successful twelve returned to take the final exam and ten of those passed. I was No. 9.

About one or two years later Jennifer Townson suggested we form an association and arranged for the first meeting to be held in a London hotel (she generously paid for the room as a gift)

We all paid the princely sum of £1 to start the association off. Jennifer was elected to be chairman, Pam Cooke the honorary secretary and I became the first treasurer.  After the first committee meeting, my first job was to collect the remaining £1.20 from the members as it was decided that the membership fee would be two guineas!

The committee meetings were held in a variety of venues - a committee member's friend's flat, a vet's waiting room and eventually we were offered a room at the BVA HQ.

We dearly wanted to be called the 'British Veterinary Nursing Association' but that WASN'T ALLOWED! The vets didn't like it! The human nurses objected! At least we were British!

There was a lot of discussion on this subject. Surprisingly Jennifer, Pam and myself were invited to the RCVS HQ where we had lunch with the Registrar - Mr Porter! In 1984 we all became veterinary nurses and were issued with new certificates and badges (The BVNA has my original in their archives!

I met Ali (Alison Deas) when she visited the practice where I worked in her capacity as a rep. She asked me to write 'a piece' about vet nursing as saw it over the thirty years I had been involved in the work, I eventually worked at there for 42 years!  

Over 2,000 RVNs have completed the nine hour online course which has four modules covering anatomy, periodontal disease, oral care consultations and instrument care.

Here are a couple of comments from nurses who have previously completed the course and provided feedback in our survey in terms of what they gained from the course:

The course is for Registered Veterinary Nurses ONLY and costs £10 for BVNA and BVDA members and £30 for non-members.  If you are an overseas Registered Veterinary Nurse/Technician, you will need to provide proof of this prior to being given access to the course.

All nurses who obtain a score of 70% or more in the final multiple choice questions (MCQ) assessment will receive a certificate and oral care badge.  Nurses who score 80% or more in the final MCQs will be invited to provide their contact details for a chance to attend a bonus CPD day at the WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition.

Please visit our website using the link below to enrol onto the course, if you are a BVNA Member, you will need your membership number in order to proceed:

https://www.bvna.org.uk/cpd/oral-care-nurse-certificate

If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us.

General furthering of veterinary nurse training/education

A contribution to the cost of completing a VN Degree

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORMS

ALL WEBINARS ARE FREE FOR BVNA MEMBERS. www.vnknowledge.co.uk

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The charity’s vets are warning owners that overfeeding and not providing enough exercise is driving an obesity epidemic among our four legged friends, which is risking their long-term health and happiness.

To help tackle the problem, they are searching for the UK’s podgiest pets to take part in this year’s PDSA Pet Fit Club – the UK’s top pet slimming competition.

Now in its 14th year, the contest has helped 137 overweight pets (85 dogs, 42 cats, 8 rabbits and 2 rats) lose an incredible 75 stone - equivalent to 1,190 cans of dog food! The competition’s 2018 joint winners, Sadie the Labrador from Basildon and Borris the Spaniel from Kent, shed a total of 2st 12lb (17.8kg) between them – 25% of their bodyweights.

Owners can enter their pets in Pet Fit Club at pdsa.org.uk/petfitclub.

PDSA vet Olivia Anderson-Nathan said: “Obesity has been a huge problem among UK pets for a number of years and sadly there is no sign of improvement. It is one of the biggest long-term health concerns for our pet population, because it is so commonly seen by vets and nurses. 

“Animals who are overweight have a much greater risk of developing health problems such as arthritis and diabetes – which can have drastic consequences.

“Excess weight can also seriously aggravate other medical problems, for example making it even more difficult for flat-faced breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs to breathe. Research has also shown that carrying too much weight can even reduce a dog’s life expectancy by up to 2 years and 6 months**.”

Pet Obesity: The Facts***

Treats

Exercise

“It’s well known that we are a nation of animal lovers,” continues Olivia, “but unfortunately a lot of pet owners are showing this love and affection using food.  But this way of ‘treating’ your best friend can be bad for their health in the long run.

“Pets don’t need human food, in fact a lot of it can be very bad for them.  They should be fed a complete pet food suitable for their age and weight, with occasional healthy treats. Our pets also need regular, varied exercise, suitable for their health and to keep their minds stimulated. 

“A much healthier way to spoil a pet is to spend time with them, like taking them for an extra walk, buying them a new toy or giving them more playtime.”

About PDSA Pet Fit Club

Up to 15 overweight pets (dogs, cats, rabbits and rats) from across the UK will be chosen to participate in PDSA Pet Fit Club.

Previous ‘losers’ include Alfie the dog who lost a record 39% of his bodyweight – he had piled on the pounds after tucking into Sunday roasts with his owner.  Pet Fit Club also helped Zorro the cat, who enjoyed eating cheese and onion crisps, lose a fifth of his bodyweight.

Selected pets are placed on a strict six-month diet and exercise programme, individually tailored to their needs and overseen by vets and vet nurses at their local PDSA Pet Hospital.

Participants receive free diet pet food for the duration of the competition courtesy of Dechra Specific.  The overall Pet Fit Club Champ, crowned at the end of 2019, will win a year’s free diet food and a pet friendly holiday.

Owners can find out more and apply online at pdsa.org.uk/petfitclub or by calling the Pet Fit Club team on 01952 797246. The closing date is Sunday 3 March 2019.

Olivia concludes: “Over the years PDSA Pet Fit Club has helped transform some of the UK’s fattest pets into fit and healthy animals. Pets that could barely walk, climb stairs or fit through cat flaps have been given a new lease of life.

“Prevention is always better than cure, but it is never too late to make a change. With the right advice, a good diet, suitable exercise and a bit of willpower owners have the ability to make a real difference to their pet’s lives.  So we’re urging owners who have overweight pets to enter today.”

ALL WEBINARS ARE FREE FOR BVNA MEMBERS. www.vnknowledge.co.uk

Click the video below for an introduction

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Stephanie Fennessy, Director of GCF said:

"The Giraffe Conservation Foundation would like to thank the veterinary nursing profession for supporting the associations fundraising activities during the year.

These funds will continue to work to secure a sustainable future for all giraffe populations in the wild.  With less than 100,000 giraffe remaining in all of Africa, after a decline of almost 40% over the past three decades, we must act now to save this iconic species from extinction. 

We are working closely with local and regional African organisations, African governments as well as international partners to ensure high priority for giraffe on national and regional conservation agendas by identifying and providing long-term conservation and management solutions for all giraffe populations. 

Thank you again for sticking your neck out for giraffe conservation in Africa. Together we can make a difference and secure a future for giraffe in the wild."

One of the most surprising elements of the VN Futures work was learning One Health was a key focus for the future of the profession. Time and time again the subject came up with nurses in practice, in education and in industry.

VNs have unique skillsets that offer themselves readily to One Health. Taking the time to communicate with owners and develop effective therapeutic relationships with both owners and animals can contribute to wider issues such as antibiotic stewardship through improve education. There are also much more subtle elements such as supporting the chronic care of pets to ensure that both owner and animal are comfortable, healthy and able to enjoy the well-established benefits of the human-animal bond.

Veterinary nursing and One Health isn’t about internationally recognised big issues, its smaller, community focused projects that can make all the difference. It’s the acknowledgement that pets can be therapeutic and may support human centred healthcare. It’s the link between addressing pet health and having an incidental improvement on the owner’s health, consider a gentle exercise plan for an overweight animal and by association an increased exercise plan for the overweight owner.

Finally, it’s the realisation that human centred nursing, the environment and veterinary nursing should be considered as an interlinked triad. The inter professional learning potential is huge and the time is right to begin to formalise our One Health links, allowing Veterinary Nurses to develop robust One Health projects within their scope of practice to the benefit of humans, animals, the environment and indeed the profession itself.

MSD Animal Health is launching its first veterinary nurse research bursary, supported by the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), and adding to its existing vet surgeon and vet student schemes.   One £1000 bursary will be made available to the student or qualified veterinary nurse in the UK, with the best research project application.  There will be a further opportunity to win additional prizes at the MSD Animal Health Research Bursary Day.

Michelle Townley, Veterinary Advisor at MSD Animal Health comments:  “We are very excited to be extending our bursary scheme to student and qualified veterinary nurses.  They play a vital role in the welfare of animals and the future of the veterinary profession.  Our new research bursary, supported by the BVNA, recognises and celebrates the value of veterinary nurses and our commitment to the science of healthier animals.  We view our investment in research, and the pursuit of new knowledge, as the lifeblood of the veterinary profession and would ask veterinary practices and colleges to encourage their nurses to apply.”

Wendy Nevins, BVNA President adds:  “This is a great opportunity for student and qualified veterinary nurses to develop their research skills and contribute to new research in the industry. We would encourage students and qualified veterinary nurses to consider applying and seek support from their lecturers or practices to complete an entry; helping raise the profile of the profession.” 

The Veterinary Nurse Research Bursary is open for applications from Monday 15th October 2018 and has a deadline for entries of Friday 10th May 2019.  

For further details go to the MSD Animal Health Research Bursary website at www.msdahresearchbursary.co.uk.