The latest news and updates from BVNA

BVNA is 60 !

BVNA has been supporting the veterinary nursing profession since 1965 . To celebrate this landmark occasion , BVNA will be running quizzes and giving away prizes each month from March . The winners will be picked at random to receive prizes such as flower seeds , scrub hats and pocket pouches .

Plus , there will be 600 special BVNA badges made to mark the 60th anniversary , which will be available to members for £ 10 , on a first-come , first-served basis , while stocks last .

The first 60 people to register for BVNA Congress 2025 will receive a limited edition BVNA badge and , what ' s more , they will also pay last year ' s prices to attend the event !

Look out for more details on the BVNA website and in forthcoming issues of VNJ .

Maximising the role of VN

ln December 2024 , BVNA published a document , Maximising the RVN Role Under Current Legislation , which aims to provide guidance to all members of the veterinary team on how veterinary nurses ( VNs ) can improve team working and client relationships .

The RCVS has confirmed that veterinary surgeons ( VSs ) do not themselves always need to perform physical examinations of animals to make clinical diagnoses and prescribe certain medications , and that these physical examinations could in many circumstances be delegated to VNs .

BVNA recognises that a physical examination is often the preferred method of gathering information about a patient , and that a competent VN can carry out the examination and perform diagnostic tests to allow the VS to make an informed decision .

There is , however , the caveat that the VS must always perform a physical examination in the following circumstances :

• where a notifiable disease is suspected

• when prescribing controlled drugs ( unless there are exceptional circumstances )

• when prescribing antibiotics , antifungals , antiparasitics or antivirals ( unless there are exceptional circumstances ).

If a VN performs the examination and diagnostic tests , this would support the VS and free up time for them to diagnose , treat and prescribe to patients under their care . It would also enable the VN to maximise the use of the skills and knowledge they gained in their training and take ownership of specific areas of practice , so they can progress in their clinical role .

6 Veterinary Nursing Journal