Introducing Choice for Nurses, Training Practices and Colleges
At the moment, those wishing to gain a qualification in Veterinary Nursing can do so via two main routes in the UK:
- Gaining a Diploma (through a vocational route)
- Studying for a Degree (e.g. from a HE or FE college)
For those wishing to attain a Degree, students undertake an accredited course (of which there are approximately 14 approved in the UK) at one of the HE or FE colleges offering VN training. The college or university awards their students the qualifications directly.
These courses and the providers will have been approved by the RCVS under its role as statutory regulator and therefore allow successful candidates to register on the RCVS list of nurses.
Whilst there are a multitude of courses to choose from for those wanting to study Veterinary Nursing as a degree, for those wanting to attain a Diploma through the traditional vocational route there is only currently only one option - the RCVS Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing.
This Diploma is awarded by the RCVS Awarding Body (RAB) – a completely separate entity from the RCVS. The qualification has been developed by the RCVS Awarding Body Board and accredited by the RCVS. Although separate, the two bodies work very closely together and some have suggested this shows a flaw in the system and a conflict of interests that is not present with other qualifications.
Furthermore, this Diploma has been the subject of much criticism of late. Earlier this year, as NVQ qualifications shifted to the new QCFs, the RCVS Awarding Body completely changed how vocational VN training works in practice. Many saw the proposed reduction in required practical work experience as a shift in values from practical to theoretical and questions were raised as to whether this was appropriate in a profession that relies so heavily on experience and proficiency in the workplace. Concern within the profession is that while this might produce more qualified veterinary nurses, their competence may fall well short of what is expected and required by practices and the public.
The proposed new qualification, which is currently in development, would need to come from a new Awarding Organisation (i.e. not the RCVS Awarding Body). So, what exactly would this mean for the profession?
Perhaps most importantly, a new VN Diploma from an awarding organisation separate from the RCVS Awarding Body would introduce an element of choice for prospective nurse students, training practices and colleges. This would result in a wide variety of training programmes and make VN training more accessible, therefore boosting the number of VNs in the profession.
Support for the new qualification is gathering pace and anyone with an interest in VN training is urged to join in by completing the VN training survey at www.vetnursing.org or writing to vntraining@centralvet.com
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
