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RCVS approves expanded exam for overseas vet nurses
The first sitting of the exam will be March 2024.
The pre-registration examination now includes a knowledge-based component.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Veterinary Nurse Education Committee has approved an expansion of the pre-registration examination undertaken by veterinary nurses  trained overseas.

As well as a practical exam, veterinary nurses will now be required to take a knowledge-based component to work as a registered veterinary nurse in the UK.

This pre-registration examination is a requirement for any veterinary nurse who was educated outside of the UK, and therefore does not hold a qualification that is approved by the Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nurse Education (ACOVENE). It is also completed by holders of UK qualifications, if their educational institution is not fully accredited by the RCVS.

From March 2024, veterinary nurses completing this assessment will complete an online knowledge-based exam, alongside the usual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in the UK.

The exam will consist of two multiple-choice exam papers, each with 100 questions to answer. The examination is taken online, which means that veterinary nurses can complete the assessment anywhere in the world with access to a computer and good internet connection.

The first sitting of the exam will be held in the week beginning 25 March 2024, with further test dates available in summer and autumn.

Any candidate who submitted their application to have their experience and education checked for eligibility to enter the pre-registration exam after 1 November 2023 will be required to sit both components of the examination.

Julie Dugmore, RCVS director of veterinary nursing, said: “VN Education Committee approved this new exam component to ensure that we weren’t only testing candidates’ Day One skills via the OSCE, but were also making sure that they met our Day One Competences, which integrate a mixture of knowledge, skills and attitudes.”

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FIVP Practice Matters podcast returns for Series 2

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced that its podcast, FIVP Practice Matters, will be returning for a second series next year.

The bi-weekly podcast will return on Tuesday, 14 January 2025 with an episode on sustainability with Alison Lambert. The second series will include a range of new and familiar guests sharing veterinary initiatives and news from independent practices.

The podcast is available on Spotify and will now also be released on Apple Podcasts. More details about FIVP and the podcast can be found on its website

Click here for more...
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Further cases of H5N1 confirmed in Norfolk

APHA has officially confirmed that two more cases of H5N1 have been found on premises in Norfolk.

Testing confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was present at premises near Attleborough, as well as premises near Hingham in South Norfolk. The case near Hingham follows a slaughter on suspicion which was declared on 23 December.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been implemented at each premises, and all the poultry on each premises will be humanely culled.

A third case has also been identified near Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire.

APHA is reminding bird keepers to remain vigilant and follow biosecurity measures to prevent more outbreaks. Details on the current disease control zones and biosecurity guidance can be found on the APHA website.