Comments BVNA NEWS
Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 2026
Each May, BVNA spearheads the Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month( VNAM) campaign. The crucial work of veterinary nurses, in and out of veterinary practice, often goes unseen by the public, so VNAM is a vital opportunity for the profession to come together and put this right.
This year, the campaign theme was‘ Compassion and Empathy’. It reflected the dedication and passion required to both train and practise as a veterinary nurse. The campaign also aimed to highlight the compassion towards patients and people that underpins the skilled care provided by veterinary nurses every day.
In a new initiative for 2026, BVNA invited nominations from veterinary colleagues and the public to put individual veterinary nurses into the spotlight, providing thanks and recognition for their work.
Read more about this year ' s VNAM campaign https:// bvna. org. uk / project / veterinarynursing-awareness-month-may-2026 /
Understanding probation periods
USER-ALT BVNA Members Advisory Service( BMAS)
A probation period, a trial phase at the start of employment, offers a valuable time frame in which to set expectations, assess performance and provide support for new starters, but probation periods are often managed inconsistently.
From 1 January 2027, employees with 6 months ' continuous service will have full employment protections, so practices need to be proactive about probation from day one. A 6-month probation period, with the option to extend by 3 months, gives a fair window to assess suitability.
Regular, documented reviews should cover technical skills as well as behaviour, reliability, communication and teamwork. Clear expectations and evidence-based decisions help protect the employer and support long-term success.
Read the full article on the BMAS blog https:// bvna. org. uk / blog / category / bvna-members-advisory-service
The BMAS team of trained HR professionals has been providing BVNA members with expert advice on employment law and related matters for 20 + years. The service is a BVNA member benefit, and members can call 01822 870270 or email advisoryservice @ bvna. co. uk for independent, confidential support as often as needed. Please have your BVNA membership number to hand, which can be found in your profile on the BVNA website.
Volume 41( 3) • June 2026
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