What courses are available for VNs?
The RCVS Academy has a broad range of courses for VNs. RVN Starting Out is designed to be completed alongside a mentor and focuses on building confidence early in a career. SVN: RCVS & Me helps SVNs understand their relationship with the RCVS, how the Code of Professional Conduct applies to them and where they can find support. A recently launched course, SVN: Stepping into Practice, supports SVNs during their time in clinical practice.
The Clinical Supervisor course is one of our most popular courses. It supports those coaching and assessing SVNs, and complements formal training provided by colleges and universities. For VNs who are internationally qualified or returning to the field after a break, the Academy offers specialised resources. The Working in the UK for Veterinary Nurses course helps overseas-qualified VNs register and integrate into the UK veterinary community, while the Nurse Return course ensures a supportive transition back into clinical practice for those re-entering the workforce.
The Academy recognises the importance of continuing professional development( CPD) for VNs at every stage of their careers. For VNs looking to step into a leadership role, the Academy has courses such as Mentorship, Leadership vs Management, and Principles of Delegation, supporting the confident and capable leadership of veterinary teams.
Many of our courses are aimed at both VSs and VNs. Communicating Cost is a great course to help veterinary professionals talk about costs effectively with owners, and the Civility Fundamentals course explores the link between respectful behaviour and patient safety. We also offer wellbeing-focused courses, including Managing Mental Health in the Workplace and Suicide Awareness Fundamentals.
How do you ensure the course content remains current?
What do you enjoy most about your role at the RCVS Academy?
I enjoy taking information that can feel complex or overwhelming and making it accessible. Writing scenarios is especially rewarding, as it gives learners the opportunity to explore situations in a safe environment before facing them in real life. Drawing on my own experience as a VN helps ensure these scenarios are both relevant and relatable for veterinary professionals.
What advice would you give to VNs pondering their own career path?
My main advice would be to take stock of your transferable skills. Veterinary nursing equips you with so much that is valuable far beyond clinical practice. There is no single correct career path, and nothing has to be permanent. Trying something new can be both reassuring and rewarding.
Whatever direction your career takes, being a VN remains part of who you are. Even now, after years away from full-time clinical practice, returning to my training practice for a day reminded me just how deeply nursing stays with you.
When people ask what I do, I usually say:“ I am a veterinary nurse by training, but I now work as a content writer for the veterinary regulator ' s online academy.” The fact that I always start with“ I am a veterinary nurse...” says a lot. It is not simply a role I once had; it is a part of me that will always be there.
I think that is true for all of us. Whatever path your career takes, whether you remain in practice, move into education, management, industry or something entirely different, being a VN will always be part of who you are. It never really leaves you, and that is something to be proud of.
I maintain strong links with veterinary practice and subject-matter experts, both within the RCVS and at external businesses. By working closely with them in writing and editing content, I can ensure the content is current, accurate and of high quality.
A couple of months ago, I ' d been writing course content for some time and hadn ' t worked in practice for 8 years, so I wanted to refresh my perspective and ensure my writing was relevant. With my manager ' s support, I used some CPD hours to return to my training practice, where a friend who still works there organised for me to spend the day. I left the practice absolutely buzzing; it reminded me that being in practice never really leaves you – when I got home, I told my husband that I genuinely miss it.
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