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RCVS Academy launches course to support new RVNs
The course is free and takes approximately 10 hours to complete.
Released for VNAM, ‘RVN Starting out’ supports the transition from student to RVN.

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.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."