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We can ' t wait to welcome you to BVNA Congress on 11 – 13 October 2024 . Tickets are on sale now , so don ' t miss your chance to join the biggest event dedicated to veterinary nurses ( VNs ) in the UK .

You can view the full Congress programme on the BVNA website at www . bvna . org . uk / congress , but here ' s a preview of some of the highlights you can expect from BVNA Congress this year .

Keynote speaker

We ' re looking forward to being joined by our keynote speaker Marie Rippingale , who is perfectly placed to speak on the subject ‘ Progression of the veterinary nursing profession – where are we now and where are we going ?’ Marie is an equine RVN who has tirelessly championed the potential of the equine RVN role throughout her career , and especially so in her current capacity as chair of the recently formed BEVA Equine Nurses Committee . Marie will be delivering the keynote lecture on Saturday 12 October .

Progression

This headline stream will take place each morning and aims to inspire VNs to recognise your value , promote longevity in the profession and advance commercial understanding . You will be armed with the knowledge and confidence to make positive progress , whether in the context of your own career , among your team or within the wider veterinary industry .

Each morning will encompass a different aspect of the ‘ Progression ’ theme : making veterinary nursing a sustainable and progressive career ; leadership ; and finance and business .

Primary care and first opinion nursing

We ' re championing the general practice VN by including a stream dedicated to those working in first opinion practice . Highlighting the diverse range of skills and knowledge needed to work in primary care , there will be sessions on nurse clinics , the use of ultrasound , transfusion medicine , and nursing management of patients with spinal disease .

Keynote speaker : Marie Rippingale .

Referral nursing

Also new for 2024 , our referral nursing stream will provide learning opportunities for those working in more specific areas of veterinary practice . Whether your interests lie in oncology , neurology , advanced diagnostic procedures or medical nursing , there will be something for you .

Veterinary care assistants ( VCAs )

This year we ' ll also be highlighting the key role of VCAs within the veterinary team , and we ' re looking forward to promoting more inclusion and recognition of VCAs . Our dedicated stream will build VCAs ' confidence in a range of patient care areas . You ' ll gain a deeper understanding of how anatomy and physiology link to patient monitoring , and learn the fundamentals of supporting patient first aid and medical care . VCAs are also welcome to attend any of the other streams .

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