Voting in this year's RCVS VN Council elections has now openedVoting in this year's RCVS VN Council elections has now opened, and veterinary nurses who are eligible to vote can do so either online or by post.

The College points out that there is a new voting platform this year, designed to make it easier to vote online. 

The new system includes regular personalised email reminders from Electoral Reform Services which include a link to the voting platform and the ability to log in securely straight away, without having to refer to the ballot paper in order to find the security codes. Using the email address provided the College, veterinary nurses can also ask ERS to reissue the security codes if needs be.

Voting for both of this year’s elections opened on Friday 24 March with an email sent to all those eligible to vote for whom the College holds an email address. Ballot papers have also been despatched to all eligible voters along with booklets containing the candidates’ biographies, contact details and manifestos. Instructions on how to vote online and by post are included with the ballot papers.

Four veterinary nurses are contesting two places in this year’s VN Council elections. Two of these are existing VN Council members eligible for re-election while two candidates are not currently on VN Council. They are:

  • Mr Miguel Borralho RVN
  • Mrs Susan Howarth RVN
  • Mrs Andrea Jeffery RVN
  • Miss Marie Rippingale REVN

All votes must be cast, either online or by post, by 5pm on Friday 28 April 2017.

Once again this year the College invited members of both professions to ‘Quiz the candidates’ by putting their questions directly to all those standing for election. Some of the key themes this year included Brexit, complementary/ alternative therapies, the structure of the veterinary industry, out-of-hours work and veterinary nurse remuneration among others.

Each candidate was invited to choose two questions to answer from all those received and produce a video recording of their answers. 

These videos, along with biographies and statements for each candidate, are available to view on the RCVS website at www.rcvs.org.uk/vnvote17.

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.