N urses in the United Kingdom David Smith Edinburgh Napier University Barbara Cooper Principal of the College of Animal Welfare The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons RCVS The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons exercises functions under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 but was br ID: 637958
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Slide1
Regulations relating to Registered Veterinary Nurses in the United Kingdom
David Smith
Edinburgh Napier
University
Barbara Cooper
Principal of the College of Animal Welfare Slide2
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons exercises functions under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 but was brought into being by a Royal Charter of 1844
A
Supplemental Royal Charter of 2015
makes
it the regulator of registered veterinary
nursesSlide3
Regulation of veterinary surgeons in the UK
Other relevant legislation
Royal
Charter of
1844 (Foundation of RCVS)
Supplemental Charter of 1876Supplemental Charter of 1879Veterinary Surgeons Act 1881Supplemental Charter of 1883Supplemental Charter of 1892Veterinary Surgeons Amendment Act 1900Supplemental Charter of 1914Veterinary Surgeons Act (1881) Amendment Act 1920Supplemental Charter of 1923Veterinary Surgeons (Irish Free State Agreement) Act 1932Supplemental Charter of 1932Veterinary Surgeons Act 1948Supplemental Charter of 1967Supplemental Charter of 2015
Current legislation based on Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) makes it:
“unlawful
for anyone other than a registered veterinary surgeon, or someone entered in the Supplementary Veterinary Register, to practise veterinary surgery (whether or not for
payment)”
“veterinary surgery” means the art and science of veterinary surgery and medicine
be
taken to include
—
(
a) the diagnosis of diseases in, and injuries to, animals
including tests
performed on animals for diagnostic purposes;
(
b) the giving of advice based upon such diagnosis;
(c) the medical or surgical treatment of animals; and
(d) the performance of surgical operations on animals.Slide4
The role of nursing in the clinical care and recovery of animalsThe ‘nursing’ role in clinical practice has long been recognised
“strict attention to the animal’s comfort and well-being in matters of warmth, quietude, cleanliness, pure air and diet
” -
Steele
1888
In the UK, official acknowledgement of the importance of the role has been slow and serpentine In 1934 the first attempt was made to get the RCVS to recognise the title ‘Canine nurse’ failedIn 1965 the BVNA was born but had to change its name a year later because the title ‘nurse’ was protected by statute Slide5
Professionalization of Veterinary NursesTime Line
1961
First RCVS approved Animal Nursing Auxiliary (ANA) training scheme
1984
Title ‘veterinary nurse’ first used1991 Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 amended to formally recognise the role of VN in law (schedule 3)1997 RCVS accredited as awarding body for VN qualifications2002 First BSc honours degree in VN awarded
2007
Non-statutory register of VNs
2011
Introduction of disciplinary system and code of professional conduct Slide6
Professionalization of veterinary nursesSome resistance to this from within veterinary professionOn inauguration of the first training scheme a Veterinary Surgeon remarked that the RCVS had "
created a Frankenstein and would rue the day!"
– Badger 2005
Training veterinary nurses was seen by some veterinary surgeons as an unnecessary complication and expense Slide7
Who nursed animals before the advent of the trained veterinary nurse?Locally employed people (usually women) with few relevant formal qualificationsJack (or rather Jill) of all trades whose duties were many but not well defined
Receptionist
Kennel assistant
Administrator
Clinical assistant Slide8
This model worked for decades in the UK, why did it change?Increased complexity and technical demands of veterinary medicine
Increased expectation of owners of what veterinary surgeons should do
Increased intrinsic value of animals by society
Increasing need for specialists in
peri
-operative careIncreased need to focus on client experienceIncreasing impact of nursing expertise on survival and recovery of patients Increasing specialisation of veterinary surgeons towards clinical expertise rather than client/practice managementIncreased commercial pressures on practices to maximise return on human resource costsSlide9
Perceived threats to the role of veterinary surgeons An erosion of statutory protected statusEstablishment of an additional tier of animal health professionals that creates a grey area where un-suitably qualified personnel could operate
Erosions of professional standards and accountability
Undermining the viability of veterinary businesses
Cheap less qualified personnel doing the job of the professional Slide10
How are these legitimate concerns of the veterinary profession addressed?By professionalising the veterinary nurse so:Their role within practice is limited by statuteTheir professional conduct is regulated by a professional body
They are trained and educated to a standard deemed appropriate and verified by the professional body Slide11
Statutory limitation of Veterinary Nursing role -Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
1991 amendment
Veterinary
nurses
are permitted to
provide any medical treatment or carry out minor surgery (not involving entry into a body cavity) to a companion animal at the direction of the veterinary surgeon responsible for the care of the animal provided the veterinary surgeon was the employer, or was acting on behalf of the employer, of the veterinary nurseA companion animal was defined as 'an animal kept as a pet or for companionship, not an equid or farm animal‘2002 amendmentAppropriately trained Veterinary nurses allowed to treat all animal species Slide12
What constitutes 'medical treatment or minor surgery'?This is largely a matter of professional judgement of the directing veterinary
surgeon to interpret the phrase with common
sense.
The
following considerations should be taken into account by the directing veterinary surgeon: -
How difficult is it to carry out the procedure in question competently and successfully, bearing in mind the risks inherent in the procedure?Has the nurse who is to be asked to carry out the procedure been given training and gained experience in the performance of the procedure, been made aware of the risks associated with the procedure and is he / she now competent to carry it out?Does the nurse not only have the expertise and general competence to carry out the procedure, but also the experience and good sense to react appropriately in the event of any problem arising?If necessary, will a veterinarian be available to respond immediately to any request for assistance?Does the veterinary nurse feel confident that he / she can carry out the procedure - or is he / she anxious about being asked to undertake tasks beyond his / her capabilities?)Slide13
Regulation of veterinary nurses by the RCVSVeterinary Nurses must comply with two sets of regulations:
RCVS
Code of Conduct for Veterinary
Nurses
Professional
competenceHonesty and integrityIndependence and impartialityClient confidentiality and trustProfessional accountability RCVS Veterinary Nursing byelaws
Procedures and penalties for misconduct are set out in Veterinary
Nurse Conduct and Discipline
Rules (2014)Slide14
Minimum requirements for registration as a veterinary nurseWithin
a
RCVS registered teaching
practice students must
Complete at least 2100 hrs (60 weeks) of work placement
Demonstrate competency in all RCVS day-one skills (600+)Complete a training programme with a recognise training provider to at least Level 3 Diplomas standard either on a full-time basis or apprenticeship-style alongside a job in veterinary practiceBe enrolled with the RCVS as a student Veterinary NurseComply with RCVS Code of Conduct for Veterinary Nurses
Comply with the RCVS VN Byelaws
2011
Work within the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1996 Schedule
3 Amendment
(2002) OrderSlide15
Declaration on professional registrationOn registration with the RCVS, and in exchange for the right to practise veterinary nursing in the UK, every registered veterinary nurse makes a declaration, which, since 1 April 2012, has been
:
" I PROMISE AND SOLEMNLY DECLARE that I will pursue the work of my profession with integrity and accept my responsibilities to the public, my clients, the profession and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and that, ABOVE ALL, my constant endeavour will be to ensure the health and welfare of animals committed to my care."Slide16
Market for registered veterinary nurses5,069 Vet practices in the UK – 35% approved to train VNs15,915 Vets in practice, 10,097 VNs in practice
0.56 RVNs per vet
957 VNs joined profession, 582 VN left register
Net Growth = 375
Veterinary industry developing with larger group practices where VNs add value to the business Slide17
What Edinburgh Napier University offersThe only pre-qualification Veterinary Nursing Honours Degree programme in ScotlandA four year BSC (
H
ons
) programme offering the opportunity to register as a VN with the RCVS on graduation
Direct accreditation
98% employment of VN graduates A Higher Education student experience in dynamic city settingSlide18
Trends in applicants and graduatesUCAS mean tariff score of applicants has increased from 368 in 2008 to 456 in 2015Higher entry requirements raised from CCCC to
BBBC
62% of graduates have 1
st
Class and 2 (I) degreesSlide19
Programme of study Year 1
Trimester 1
Foundations of Veterinary Nursing Theory
Principles of Small Animal Care
Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
Trimester 2Veterinary Nursing Practice 1Veterinary Science in Action
Trimester 3
Veterinary Nursing Practice 2
Year
2
Trimester 1
Veterinary Pathology
Diagnostics for Veterinary Nurses
Ethical,
Legal and Professional Issues in Healthcare
Trimester 2
Veterinary Nursing of exotic animals
Theatre
Veterinary Nursing and Anaesthesia
Application of Small Animal Nursing Care
Trimester 3
Veterinary Nursing Practice 3a
Year 3
Trimester 1
Veterinary Nursing Practice 3b
Trimester 2
Equine veterinary nursing
Animals in Society
Veterinary Nursing of wild and captive species
Trimester 3
Veterinary Nursing Practice 4
Year 4
Veterinary Nursing Honours Project
Specialised Veterinary Nursing
Pharmacology
Option Module
Veterinary Nursing Elective Practice Slide20
Why do we want to link with external partners?Improve the professional mobility of VNs across the worldDevelop leadership skills in our graduatesImprove problem solving skills is our graduates