The RCVS has released a short film animation to help raise awareness among the general public of the vital role played by registered veterinary nurses in animal care and treatment.

The video has been released to coincide with the BVNA National VN Awareness Month which is particularly significant this year as it is not only the organisation’s 50^th anniversary, but also coincides with the new RCVS Royal Charter recognising veterinary nursing as a fully regulated profession.

The animation aims to explain to the general public what registered veterinary nurses do, the education and training that they go through to gain their status and what it means to be part of a regulated profession which abides by a Code of Professional Conduct.

The video also tackles the fact that, currently, ‘veterinary nurse’ is not a protected title, meaning that it is not illegal for someone to call themselves a veterinary nurse even if they do not have the requisite training and qualifications and are not registered with the RCVS. This is something which the RCVS, in partnership with the BVNA and British Veterinary Association (BVA), will be raising with MPs and Peers when Parliament reconvenes after the General Election.

Kathy Kissick RVN, Chair of VN Council, said: “It is important that the public understand that veterinary nurses are not ‘junior vets’ but that they complement the work of veterinary surgeons and enhance animal health and welfare in different ways.

“The video, for example, sets out the role that veterinary nurses play in providing care, in educating pet owners on issues such as diet and welfare and in carrying out medical treatment and minor surgery delegated to them by a veterinary surgeon.

“I would encourage all veterinary nurses, as well as vets and other veterinary professionals, to share this video on social media and with their clients so that they can find out more about the profession and understand how crucial it is that we secure protection of the title. Having untrained and unqualified people calling themselves veterinary nurses is not only misleading but potentially detrimental to animal health and welfare.”

More details of how to support the protected title campaign can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/vntitle.

As well as YouTube, the video is also available on the RCVS Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thercvs) and on twitter via the hashtag #vntitle.

For more details on what the BVNA will be doing for National VN Awareness Month, please visit www.bvna.org.uk/news/veterinary-nursing-awareness-month

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