Veterinary Professionals - Vet Pro - new vn register - is now open

All the information – at great length can be found here:

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=96375&int1stParentNodeID=89646

However if you do not have the time and patience to read through it all here is my summary.
All VNs who have qualified since 1 January 2003 will automatically transfer to the new register. All Vns who have qualified prior to this date registration is voluntary.
Those joining the Register will be known as Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) and their registration will prove to employers and the general public that they are keeping their skills up-to-date and accounting for their professional conduct.
RVNs must do 45 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) over a three-year period. RVNs will also follow the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses. If there is a future problem and an RVN has to undergo a disciplinary process it will be similar to the process vets currently have. This will happen from 2010.
Registered Veterinary Nurses will need insurance to indemnify them against the possibility of needing to defend a professional complaint about them made to the RCVS – this is relevant only form 2010 – so no need to panic.
Until now nurses have not worried about insurance due to the fact that they are covered by practice insurance. Locums are covered by their temporary employers.

The VDS and BVNA are apparently considering how best to cover the cost of this. VN’s are poorly paid in comparison to vets – in my opinion it seems unfair that we have to cover the additional cost of insurance. No doubt the rcvs fees will rise to cover the cost of this new register. The fees are already incredibly high.

Nurses not on the new register will be called VN’s as usual and will be allowed to continue Schedule 3 procedures. It is optional but the RCVS hope that we will take the opportunity to join the new register.
It is hoped (by the rcvs) that eventually ALL nurses will be on this new register. All nurses will have been sent information on this recently.
There is an FAQ document, a new Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and forms to complete if they choose to go onto the new register. There are 2 sets of forms –1 copy to keep for your records. Also you should have been sent a CPD card to record how many hours you have done. You can take legal advice on the new register and it would interesting to hear from anyone who does.

We would like to hear what advice you have been given and your personal opinions on the new register. Please converse via Vetpro forums on this interesting subject which affects all VNS.
If this article does not answer your questions, please contact the Veterinary Nursing Department on vetnursing@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0732


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