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The RCVS has announced that the Codes of Professional Conduct for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses has been updated to state that you should not refer to yourselves or others as 'veterinary nurses' unless registered.
In fact, the change occurred back in June last year, but was only announced via RCVS News and as a one-liner within the 'Overview of decisions made at RCVS Council'.
The announcement raises the pretty fundamental question of what ARE veterinary surgeons and RVNs to call their unqualified colleagues, if not veterinary nurses? How indeed are those unqualified staff working in veterinary practice to describe their job title to their friends, down at the pub?
VetNurse.co.uk sought to clarify the situation with the College, and the first point to make is that the new part of the CoPCs refers only to the use of the words 'veterinary nurse' when used in conjunction. The words 'nurse' or 'nursing' are not protected at all.
The College says that it is not within its remit to instruct veterinary surgeons or registered nurses as to how they should address unqualified staff, but suggested: 'Care Assistant' or 'Auxilliary'.
However, Ben Myring, RCVS Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer said: "There is nothing to stop someone calling themselves a 'nursing assistant' or a 'head nurse'".
The Codes of Professional Conduct obviously apply only to those who are regulated by it. The title 'veterinary nurse' in unprotected in law and can therefore be used by anyone else.
So, the immediate implications seem to be as follows:
Do you have any other suggestions as to how unqualified nursing staff should be styled? Post them below.
PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.
ever thought the reason that practices cannot find a QVN is because these "nurses" did not do any formal exam. Plus WONT undertake an exam. I have always been told that if your passionate about a job, you will fight god dam hard to get your qualification to be recognised. why wait till you have to actually undertake any exam of written work. make the effort to gain the ability to Register, so what if the course work and the exam is repetitive. Certainly this will show in any ANA favour that you want to further yourself.
I could have just found a job after doing my degree and call myself a EVN but no. I wanted the qualification to go with this so I made sure that I found a practice that offered the RCVS formal training.
Rachel24 I think you are sounding uncompromisingly and unfairly harsh on unqualified staff. It is a fact that there are many who perform EXACTLY the same role in practice as qualified staff, and have done for years. Many reasons for this, not least the difficulty some practices have in finding a QVN for the job. I've said elsewhere, one of the biggest issues with protecting the title is the English language. How is an unqualified person to describe themselves when asked what they do, down at the pub? Problem is, 'veterinary nurse' is often the simplest, most accurate way to describe their role, regardless of whether qualified or not. No sensible alternative has been offered by those who want to protect the title. For what it's worth, my suggestion is that unqualified staff who work in a nursing role and who do not have, or want to use another title (such as ANA), could describe themselves as an 'animal nurse', which is accurate, succinct, and differentiates from 'veterinary nurse'.
I worked very hard for my veterinary nursing qualification and it annoys the hell out of me that an unqualified member of staff can call themselves a "veterinary nurse". If you have not completed the training and passed the appropriate examinations then you are not a veterinary nurse and anyone who feels that they need to pretend otherwise should be embarrassed of themselves. Unqualified staff members including ANAs and kennel hands are extremely valuable members of the veterinary team and if they feel that they need to give themselves a different job title then this suggests that they are embarrassed by what they do which is a real shame.
RVN = Registered Veterinary Nurse
VN = is open to being interpreted as qualified but not on the RCVS register. You should not be called a VN if you have not gone through the training and are not qualified; this is the argument.
wonder what the government thinks of this - the government says no - and the RCVS is saying actually we have already done it. Who is the RCVS answerable to?
Yes you can call yourself a VN outside of work but no qualified professional should do so inside, where it really matters. But is that really what you want! You are, and always will be a ANA until you decide (or not) to qualify. Last thing said on the matter here as I do not and have never wanted this to turn into a slanging match! I had been in your position for 23 years so can totally see your side of the argument! But being so narrow minded and not accepting your qualified title of ANA isn't going to get you anywhere. But i suppose so long as you are happy AND have the opportunity to continue working where you are for the next however many years, it seems you will always think the same. I did, until one day, I had to change my beliefs and see the bigger picture and gain my certificate to safeguard what had always been my vocation- working as a Veterinary Nurse. I suppose until it happens you, your thoughts will remain the same :(
I will keep an eye on this article but will no longer participate as i can no longer take the frustration!
well inform the RCVS that you will continue this use of a title and see what they state to you.
I CAN call myself what I want!!!
My employers can't call me a VN, but there's nothing stopping me saying I am a veterinary nurse. Read it again.
Seriously there is still this debate, you cannot call yourself an VN. its stated by the RCVS. your official title currently is ANA. accept it.
Its fine having pictures, job descriptions and qualifications on show, so long as they do not use the title 'Veterinary Nurse'
Your argument is not getting you anywhere as you quite clearly will not change your mind on the subject, even though it is in black and white that whilst in practice you cannot be described as a Veterinary Nurse. I feel I am wasting my time here now and have tried to explain things from both sides of the argument, as I do empathise with you but cannot understand why you cannot see any other point of view other than your own and seem fixated with wanting to call yourself a VN :( Therefore I will no longer post in this comments section as I think it would be nice to see what others think about what we can legally call people like yourself