VNs do value the reward of helping animals back to health

An article in the Daily Mail today, ahead of Panorama’s “It shouldn’t happen at a vets’” due to be screened tonight at 9pm, has raised questions about the role of unqualified veterinary nursing assistants in the practice team, and the commitment of veterinary nurses more generally.

For the programme, an undercover reporter named Alex Lee was employed as a ‘trainee’ veterinary nurse by Medivet.

In the Daily Mail article, Alex Lee says that she was hoping to see veterinary nurses employing “caring skills, rewarded with the knowledge that they were helping sick animals regain their health”. She goes on to imply that this was not the case.

“It’s a shame that Alex gained this impression,” says Liz Branscombe, Chairman of the RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council. “In a recent survey carried out by the RCVS, when veterinary nurses were asked what were the best things about their career choice, ‘working with animals’ was the top answer, followed by ‘variety’, and ‘job satisfaction’.”

The College has not seen the programme, but in any event would be unable to comment specifically on its content, because it could jeopardise any subsequent investigation. However, we felt it was important to clarify some terminology.

Trainee veterinary nurse, the term used by Medivet, is not a title recognised by the RCVS or under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. This is essentially a lay person working within a veterinary practice. Such a lay person would be able to carry out some general nursing tasks but would not be permitted, under law, to carry out any medical treatment or surgery. This would include inserting a catheter, the example given in the Daily Mail piece.

A Student Veterinary Nurse is enrolled with the RCVS and on a recognised programme of training (either practice-based or degree). Under Schedule 3 to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, enrolled students are able to carry out medical treatment or minor surgical procedures (not involving entry into a body cavity) providing the animal is under the care of a registered veterinary surgeon and that the treatment is carried out at the direction of a veterinary surgeon and in the course of the student’s training. Treatment or surgery must also be supervised by either a registered veterinary surgeon or listed or registered veterinary nurse. In the case of surgery, the supervision must be direct, continuous and personal.

A Listed Veterinary Nurse is a fully qualified veterinary nurse who is listed with the RCVS. A Listed Veterinary Nurse is recognised in Schedule 3 to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, and able carry out medical treatment or minor surgery (not involving entry into a body cavity) providing the animal is under the care of a registered veterinary surgeon and the treatment is carried out at the direction of a veterinary surgeon.

A Registered Veterinary Nurse is a Listed Veterinary Nurse who is additionally on the non-statutory RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses, which opened in September 2007. RVNs signal their professionalism by abiding by a Guide to Professional Conduct, keeping their skills and knowledge up to date by means of continuing professional development, and, from 2011, being subject to a disciplinary process. A statutory Register would require a change to veterinary legislation, which is sought by the Veterinary Nurses Council.

“Although the legislation surrounding veterinary nurses is not perfect, it is clear when it comes to who can carry out medical treatment and minor surgery. In addition, there is a lot more to being a nurse in practice than carrying out such procedures, and it would be disappointing if the important, and extremely valuable, role of listed and registered veterinary nurses in the practice team is lost sight of,” adds Liz.