VN Question Times - report available

The RCVS held three Question Time meetings in June and July to answer questions from veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons about the new non-statutory Register for Veterinary Nurses, which opens on 1 September.

About 90 veterinary nurses and a handful of veterinary surgeons attended the three meetings, held at the RCVS in London, and hotels in Bristol and Bolton.

Topics raised included who should register and when, how the disciplinary system would work and what counts as continuing professional development (CPD), amongst other issues.

Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) will commit to follow the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and keep their skills up to date via mandatory CPD. Further information about registration, together with the Guide and CPD Record Card, can be viewed online.

Registration is automatic for those VNs listing since January 2003; for others it's voluntary. Those listing before January 2003 will be sent a letter of explanation and a deed to sign during August.