Registered Veterinary Nurse
- Regulators
-
- Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
- Nations
- United Kingdom
- Sectors
-
- Health and care
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
- Address
-
WeWork – 3 Waterhouse Square
138-142 Holborn
London
EC1N 2SW - Email address
- info@rcvs.org.uk
- Website
- https://www.rcvs.org.uk
- Phone number
- +44 (0)2072 222 001
Regulation
Regulation summary
In order to practice as a veterinary nurse your name must be held on the register of veterinary nurses kept by the RCVS. Entry and retention on the register requires payment of a fee, along with Continued Professional Development and Code of Conduct requirements.
A registered veterinary nurse may provide any medical treatment or any minor surgery (not involving entry into a body cavity) to any animal, provided: a) the animal is, for the time being, under the care of a registered veterinary surgeon/ practitioner and the medical treatment or minor surgery is carried out by the veterinary nurse under his/her direction; b) the registered veterinary surgeon/ practitioner is the employer or is acting on behalf of the employer of the veterinary nurse; and c) the registered veterinary surgeon/ practitioner directing the medical treatment or minor surgery is satisfied that the veterinary nurse is qualified to carry out the treatment or surgery.
Regulation type
Reserved activities
Medical treatment or carrying out minor surgery, not involving entry into a body cavity, as per Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
- More about regulated activities and titles
- https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting-guidance/delegation-to-veterinary-nurses/
Qualifications and experience
New professionals
- Routes to qualification
-
Level 3/4 Diploma or FdSC/BSc degree in veterinary nursing
- More about qualification
- https://animalowners.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-careers/i-want-to-be-a-veterinary-nurse/training-routes/
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- All - there are routes to recognition for professionals from all countries
- Summary of routes
-
You must hold a veterinary nursing qualification recognised by the ministry of education in the country where you achieved it.
Your qualification must be similar in content to veterinary nursing qualifications delivered in the UK.
You must have experience working in a veterinary practice and be competent to work with minimal supervision. Experience could include time you spent working in a veterinary practice during your education.
You must be able to communicate effectively with clients, including in written and spoken English.
- More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
- https://www.rcvs.org.uk/registration/applications-veterinary-nurses/overseas-qualified-veterinary-nurses/
Registration
- Registration requirements
-
You must meet the criteria outlined in the RCVS Registration Rules for Veterinary Nurses
- More about registration
- https://www.rcvs.org.uk/registration/applications-veterinary-surgeons/
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, Schedule 3
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.rcvs.org.uk/how-we-work/royal-charter-and-legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
RCVS Supplemental Charter 2015
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.rcvs.org.uk/how-we-work/royal-charter-and-legislation