Survey seeks views on protecting the VN title
The BVNA is asking for feedback on how professionals feel about protecting the 'veterinary nurse' title in law.
The veterinary profession is being invited to have its say on protecting the VN title in a survey launching on Monday (26 September).
The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) is asking for feedback on how
professionals feel about the issue, plus how it may or may not affect them, their patients, and the public.
Currently, the VN title is not protected by law, meaning that anyone can call themselves a veterinary nurse, regardless of any training or experience.
The RCVS Council recommended to the government (DEFRA) that the title "veterinary nurse" be protected as part of broader legislative changes to the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act. The BVNA and BVA have also long campaigned for this protection.
In 2015, an RCVS-led petition to see if the issue could be considered for a debate in parliament garnered some 36,000 signatures. However, this was not enough for a government petition at that time.
The RCVS continues to support the title's protection and has included it in its recommendations for future legislation.
The survey will be available on the BVNA website between Monday 26th September and Wednesday 30th November. The association said that it will also be surveying the public.
Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
