Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

BVNA shares initial findings of VN Profession survey
The survey results will advise BVNA's future work, and inform key stakeholders' decisions.
Over half of respondents knew a ‘vet nurse’ who wasn’t qualified or regulated.

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) has released the initial findings of its inaugural VN Profession survey.

Its initial results were shared to coincide with the opening of BVNA Congress 2024, with the full report due to be published at the end of the year.

The survey was launched to help BVNA to develop a better understanding of what current veterinary nurses think of the profession. This includes their perspectives of current issues and trends, as well as how they think the profession could change in the future.

Findings will inform key stakeholders and policymakers, such as the UK government and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, as they make important decisions relating to the VN profession.

They will also advise BVNA’s future activities, guiding it as it produces resources for members and takes on campaigns.

So far, BVNA’s analysis of results has uncovered significant issues with the inappropriate use of the title ‘veterinary nurse’. Survey responses revealed that 52 per cent of respondents knew someone who used the title ‘veterinary nurse’ despite not being fully qualified or regulated.

This is an issue closely monitored by the association, which has been lobbying for legislative change to protect the title.

More than a third of registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) felt that their salary did not reflect the extent of their responsibilities in practice.

However, findings have suggested that veterinary nurses are not being fully utilised in practice. Over a quarter of respondents felt that they were not using all of the practical skills that they were trained to carry out.

BVNA says that the survey has also highlighted a need for RVNs to receive additional training for completing Schedule 3 tasks.

Forty-seven of respondents said their confidence in their abilities ‘depends on the task’. Since Schedule 3 tasks require RVNs to be competent, confident and experienced, BVNA believes that more training is needed so RVNs can accept these responsibilities.

Lyndsay Hughes, BVNA president, said: “I am delighted that BVNA has undertaken this work to understand more about the veterinary nursing profession, and gain further insight into issues that are currently affecting our members alongside the wider profession.

“As BVNA continues to work with policymakers in the pursuit of positive change, we rely on the input from individual registered and student veterinary nurses in order to influence this progress. Your voice really does matter.”

The preliminary findings can be found here. BVNA’s full report will be released at the end of 2024.

Image © Shutterstock 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.