New website showcases work of VN Futures project
VN Futures aims to identify and find solutions to specific issues facing the veterinary nursing profession.
To mark the end of Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM), the RCVS and the BVNA has launched a new website to showcase the work of the VN Futures project.
Launched in 2016, the joint RCVS and BVNA VN Futures project aims to identify and find solutions to some of the specific issues facing the veterinary nursing profession.
The new website has been designed to highlight how the project has, and will, meet the five key streams of activity as outlined in the 2016 VN Futures Report. These are: creating a sustainable workforce; structured and rewarding career paths; confident, resilient, healthy and well-supported workforce; proactive role in One Health; and, maximising nurses’ potential.
It also includes information on activities such as the development of the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing qualification, the School Ambassadors Project and several case studies that demonstrate the wide variety of careers open to veterinary nurses.
“Since its launch in 2016, the VN Futures project has been doing a great deal of work to meet its aims and so enhance and bolster the veterinary nursing profession. It is fantastic that, with the new website, all its work and major projects are featured in the same place, with its own distinct identity,” said Racheal Marshall, chair of the VN Futures board.
“While much of the work of the project has been going on behind the scenes, there have been some distinct achievements for us to celebrate, not least the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing, which paves the way for Advanced Veterinary Nurse status, and the work that’s been undertaken to clarify Schedule 3 and help veterinary professionals navigate how it works in practice.”
BVNA president Jo Hinde added: “We are very glad that we were able to launch this website just as another wonderful VN Awareness Month comes to a close as it really does highlight the breadth, depth and diversity of options open to veterinary nurses. I hope that those who visit the website can draw their own inspiration from the case studies in terms of their career paths and how they might want to develop and enhance their role as a veterinary nurse.
“We also hope that those reading the website might be inspired to get involved – whether that’s through writing a blog with their views on a topical issue, having their career profiled for one of our case studies, or registering an interest in one of the Working Groups that are working to deliver on the VN Futures Action Plan.”
RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence. 
