RCVS Academy launches course to support new RVNs
The course is free and takes approximately 10 hours to complete.
RCVS Academy has launched ‘RVN Starting out’; a new course for newly registered veterinary nurses (RVNs), released for this year’s Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM). The course aims to provide consistent, meaningful and personalised support during the transition from student to RVN.
The course can be completed independently or with the support and guidance of a mentor, and has been designed with the RCVS veterinary nursing team. It supports early-career professional development to enable new RVNs to become competent, confident, autonomous members of the practice team.
VN Futures project manager Jill Macdonald said: “The transition from student to RVN is an exciting yet challenging time. Our RVN Starting Out course has been created to support adapting to professional responsibility, optimising workplace learning opportunities and working effectively as part of a team. The course also assists newly registered nurses with building confidence and considering their career development.”
To reflect the responsibilities that veterinary nurses now undertake, the course includes learning on key topics such as reflective practice, workplace culture, quality improvement, clinical decision-making and assertive communication. It is delivered over six modules that can be completed individually and accessed at any time.
Ms McDonald continued: “We understand how busy life as a veterinary nurse can be, and the flexible approach to learning allows nurses to complete the course in an equally flexible manner.”
The course is free and takes approximately 10 hours to complete. It can be accessed via the RCVS Academy.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
