Becoming an RVN

What is an RVN & what do we do?

By Tilly Elliott – newly qualified RVN

An RVN stands for Registered Veterinary Nurse. At Bishopton we have a team of hard working, dedicated, highly skilled and caring registered veterinary nurses who work alongside the veterinary surgeon in order to provide gold standard care to every single patient that enters our practice.

Veterinary nurses provide round the clock care for all different types of cases and species 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure the absolute best care for your pet. Nurses are directed and supervised by veterinary surgeons.

Nurses provide the treatment the Veterinary Surgeons have directed, medical care for the diagnosis given and think outside the box to ensure that your pet’s stay is as relaxed as possible and to nurse your pet back to good health. Nurses take great responsibility in planning, implementing and reflecting on each and every one of their patients, so they can provide an individually tailored care plan to the patient. This can include patients who are visiting us for routine operations, nurse consults or if they require emergency and critical care. Nurses have the ability to build a huge bond with patients and clients especially on hospital inpatient shifts - which is very special and rewarding.  Nurses take up a big role in welcoming the beginning of life, yet also mourning with owners during end-of-life care.

At Bishopton, our nurses are involved in a rota which includes long hours to ensure the best continuity and flow to our care, we stay overnight, so your pet is never left alone. Our roles cover many areas such as: operating and anaesthesia, recovery after procedures/surgery, hospital for sick and critical inpatients, managing the lab and running many tests on different types of samples, practice nursing and much more. RVN’s aim to keep everything running smoothly, safely and effectively in each of their designated areas. The RVN qualifications covers all of these areas and to pass you must be competent in all of these areas.

Becoming an RVN

Student nurses will have trained for 3-5 years to gain their RVN qualification. Student nurses attend a veterinary nursing college or university to study. Whilst studying they also have to work in practice on either an apprenticeship or placement to gain practical experience. During this time, they have a number of written and practical examinations. They have to complete a nursing progress log against MULTIPLE sections to show competence before they can sit their final assessment. Once they have passed their exams they then register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

After they have qualified, they can undertake further qualifications which can include: - emergency and critical care, nutrition, dental nursing, medical, clinical coach, surgical courses and many more.Once qualified RVN’s must carry out a certain amount of CPD (continued professional development) hours a year to maintain and develop their knowledge.

Becoming an RVN is one of the most rewarding and satisfying professions that you can enter. There are endless opportunities wherever you practice, some even in different countries!! There are so many pathways to go down. Please ask to speak to any of our nurses if you have any questions about becoming an RVN.