The course aims to help nurses return with confidence.

The RCVS Academy has launched a new course to support veterinary nurses returning to clinical practice after a break.

As veterinary nurses take different lengths of break for a variety of reasons, the ‘Nurse Return’ course is designed to cover a range of different scenarios.

As well as being suitable for veterinary nurses who are returning to the Register after more than five years, and who need to complete a Period of Supervised Practice, it is also suitable for nurses who have had a shorter break and may not have left the Register at all.

The course is also designed to be relevant for nurses who never joined the Register after obtaining their fitness-to-practise qualification.

Jill Macdonald, the RCVS VN Futures project lead, has helped to create the course.

Ms Macdonald said “I’m delighted that we are able to offer this course to nurses returning to practice, whether they need to complete their Period of Supervised Practice, or just want a little extra guidance when returning to clinical work.

“Veterinary nurses are valuable and vital members of the practice team, and we want to encourage and support as many veterinary nurses as we can to return to the profession, and to help them to do this with confidence.

“The course covers key topics to bring nurses up to date with many of the professional aspects of working as a RVN, and we have also included many additional topics which will assist nurses in the journey, such as practice culture, communication, reflective practice and lifelong learning.

“It’s wonderful to see how many nurses do return to clinical work, and we look forward to welcoming you.”

The new course is free to access via the RCVS Academy.

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