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C A R E E R S A D V I C E
AUTUMN/WINTER 2011 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
12
day or block release and spend the rest of the
time in practice. The course is assessed by the
RCVS through written and practical exams
and by the college through written exams and
assignments. Students are also assessed via
the Nursing Progress Log (NPL) which is an
online replacement for the portfolio and is a
practical assessment carried out in practice.
For a practice to be able to train veterinary
nurses they have to be approved by the RCVS
and given the title of 'Primary Centre'. The
practice must also train a qualified veterinary
surgeon or veterinary nurse to be a 'Clinical
Coach'. This person will guide the student
through the course and the NPL. All students
on the new Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary
Nursing complete a certain number of units
studying both small animal and equine
species before they are given the opportunity
to specialise in the final year. This means
that students can still qualify as an equine
veterinary nurse but they must study a certain
amount of small animal nursing on the way.
The old denomination EVN has now been
replaced and students who have completed
the new RCVS Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary
Nursing through the equine pathway will use
the letters VN (eq) once qualified.
Degree in Veterinary Nursing
Students can opt to do a degree in veterinary
nursing which takes three or four years. The
degree is assessed in the same way as the
Level 3 diploma by the RCVS and the
college. Students must complete a 60 week
placement at an RCVS approved Primary
Centre to satisfy the NPL requirements. The
degree can be completed in either an equine
or small animal context.
Training equine veterinary nurses requires a
large commitment from both the student and
the practice. However the outcome is a
knowledgeable, professional member of staff
who has shown commitment to the job prior
to qualification. The hard work doesn't stop
there! All qualified EVNs are eligible to apply
to be on the RCVS Register to become a
registered equine veterinary nurse (REVNs
or RVN (eq) for the new qualification). By
registering, EVNs are demonstrating to
employers and the general public that they
are keeping their skills up-to-date and
accounting for their professional conduct.
REVNs are required to complete an average
of 45 hours of continuing professional
development (CPD) over a three-year period
and also follow the Guide to Professional
Conduct for Veterinary Nurses. If things
go wrong, an REVN would undergo a
disciplinary process, similar to that for
veterinary surgeons.
There is no normal working day for an REVN,
emergencies can arrive at any time day or
night and arranged procedures can change
on an hourly basis. The way to survive is to
adapt using professional judgment and skills
to assist and support others in the veterinary
team. Being an REVN is challenging, inspiring
and heartbreaking all at the same time,
however I still believe it is the most rewarding
career you could ever choose.