What's next for VNs - 2012

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Sal the 1st — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:12:53 GMT

[quote user="Megan Whitehead"]

Which member? (If you don't mind me asking...)

[/quote]

Try asking VN Council.

I am trying to encourage people to start asking questions and finding answers for themselves and start looking beyond what is immediately in front of their noses - I wasnt very happy when I stumbled upon this bit of information. I shouldnt have had to find out by accident, how much more isnt declared? who knows? I still feel that membership of other committees and associations should be declared especially where there is or could be seen to be a conflict of interests and this just isnt happening, its not about creating conspiracy theories or anything like that its just about being totally above board , honest and beyond reproach - and when that happens then some of us may be more trusting?

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Megan Whitehead — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 01:12:05 GMT

Thank you for posting the link. I have been contacted by the VN Council with the same clarification. Although it's a relief to me to know the program does not have the weight of an RCVS stamp, I still have serious concerns about this! Anyone else?

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Megan Whitehead — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 01:10:26 GMT

Which member? (If you don't mind me asking...)

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Lizzie Lockett (RCVS CEO) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:45:45 GMT

[quote user="Megan Whitehead"]RCVS has approved [/quote]

Just to clarify on this, we have not approved the course. There is some more info online here:

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-events/news/anaesthesia-course-clarification/

Best wishes

Lizzie

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Sal the 1st — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:17:13 GMT

I dont think you will find out too much about it. It is something I have asked questions about too in the past, it might interest you to know that a member of our very own VN Council is one of those who helped to develop it tho.

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Megan Whitehead — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:12:58 GMT

Hi all,

I definitely agree that having RVNs recognized as SQPs is a top priority, along with protecting the VN title. I have one other significant concern but cannot get a reply from the VN council about it. If anyone has info, I'd be happy to hear it. I read that the RCVS has approved a 'Level 2 certificate in assisting veterinary surgeons with anaesthesia and sedation and monitoring animal patients'. From what I can read on the proposed syllabus, this includes responding to anaesthetic emergencies. I seriously doubt that the 98 hr curriculum appropriately prepares someone for this role and think this completely undermines the inroads we have made in protecting our profession and gaining respect for our skills. It would be a major understatement to say I have significant concerns about this! I have sought out information on the RCVS website and from the Secretary of the VN Council directly, with no response. Any ideas????

Meg x

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Katie Mansfield — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:45:58 GMT

Sal, I think that's the last thing anyone would call you!!

K x

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Sal the 1st — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:05:00 GMT

You have my views already but I guess they werent exactly what you were looking for? The one thing I am not is apathetic

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Katie Mansfield — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:51:12 GMT

[quote user="Emma Cooper"]Caro - there's always one party pooper :P VNs do a great job day-to-day in practice but politcal apathy is definitely there...But we're trying to be proactive on VN issues - after all, if you don't ask (OK, shout and bang drums until someone listens) you don't get...[/quote]

I've been around VN since 91 and can see where a lot of people are coming from - historically many VNs just feel their case isn't listened to, hence the apathy. I'm hopeful things are changing, but I really do get Caro's point.

K x

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Emma Cooper — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:04:53 GMT

Hi ladies,

Thanks for having a think about my post, on VN Times we want as much opinion as we can get on where the profession is going and how to improve it...

Katie and Cheryl, thanks for such comprehensive answers - like you say, there's a lot going on and we hope 2012 will see a lot of these issues move forward for the better...Dinny - VN Times is really big on pushing the SQP issue at the minute - but AMTRA, the RCVS and the VMD are taking their time on this one (all they need to do is add an extra bit into the VN diploma/degree)! Watch this space...

Caro - there's always one party pooper :P VNs do a great job day-to-day in practice but politcal apathy is definitely there...But we're trying to be proactive on VN issues - after all, if you don't ask (OK, shout and bang drums until someone listens) you don't get...

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

dinny_06 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:09:44 GMT

Hi, I havent really had a chance to think but there is one thing that comes to mind and that is the once qualified and listed as an RVN we should automaticaly qualify as an SQP!

Any one else with me?

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Cheryl RVN — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:36:57 GMT

I feel that 2012 is going to be very positive for VN's! However, we all need to come together and unite for our causes as together we can make a difference!

Biggest challenge protection of the VN title. We need to promote our profession and get the VN title protected,we work so hard for our qualification we need to protect it! So we need more signatures. However, to get more signatures. We need to promote the fact that anyone can sign it all VN's, SVN's,Vets,ANA's, friends,family and clients! http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/18700 . I have even added it to my practices February newsletter for clients to read and get involved. The protect the VN title had not even been written in the Veterinary Times even tho a large number of Vets would sign this petition as they value their nurses and also many vets own there own practice and may set up a campaign for it.

Would like to see individual VN's get involved, have their say about current issues and act on it. The role of the VN is to promote our profession and set a high standard across the board. This might involve confronting our employer and getting them involved and allowing us time help our profession expand and more forward.

There has been a range of negative press towards VN's so we need to put across our message what we can do (apart from restrain animals) and that we need to protect the title in increase animal welfare. We need to educate the general public. Things may be done on a small scale with vet, nurses and individual things at each practice with clients but some people feel a large campaign is needed to raise our issues .Such as national coverage and old holding a VN month rather than a week and for all VN's to get involved and for employers to allow nurses time to do this.

Other issues trying to get the SQP status for all qualified VN's and reduce the need for the AMTRA extra exams and cpd requirement. Promotion of the new VN badges and what the stand for and I would like to see more 'Ask your Vet and Veterinarian Nurse about' on posters, TV adverts, clients leaflets etc ... as Helen stated the extra 3 little words could mean a lot.

XX[quote user="Caro Laithwaite VN,"]

Notice the excitement we all express over your question.

[/quote]

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Caro Laithwaite VN — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:19:31 GMT

Notice the excitement we all express over your question.

Re: What's next for VNs - 2012

Katie Mansfield — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:19:26 GMT

Hi Em,

I'm an SVN from the RVC. I think the big thing this year will be the new code of conduct - will it go though, will more VNs choose to comment on it, etc? We studied it in college last week and I personally came to the conclusion that the way the RCVS asked for comments needs tweaking. Another student a few years ahead of my group did a survey on it and had an overwhelming response, so maybe if they had done it that way rather than ask people to write in they may have got more than 13 replies?

From what I read on here during VN week it seems practice nurses are too over-worked to promote the profession any more than they do already. I don't know what the answer is to that one, but maybe something your paper could look into for VN week 2012?

There also seems to be a need for further qualifications post VN. I know there's the DipAVN and graduate diplomas but there always seems to be someone on here looking to train further. The Americans have specialist qualifications for Vet Technicians and it would be fantastic if they could be available in the UK. It's pushing it a bit for 2012, and probably for a good few years yet, but I really hope that will be something for the profession in the future.

Optimistically,

K x