Over the course of 2020, VN Futures delivered a series of three webinars addressing issues around recognition of the value of veterinary nurses’ work, including maximising the potential of veterinary nurses and leadership opportunities within the profession.
The webinars were delivered between February and June 2020 via the Webinar Vet and were developed by the VN Futures Career Progression Working Group, one of the working groups set up following the publication of the joint Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) VN Futures Report and Action Plan. This group was set up specifically to look at actions around developing more structured and rewarding career paths for veterinary nurses.
We would encourage nurses, vets, practice managers and practice owners/directors to register to watch these webinars via the Webinar Vet website, as they address topics that will influence and benefit the whole practice team.
Webinars
‘Maximising the potential of the veterinary nurse’ presented by Louise Northway RVN, BVNA Council member and recipient of the RCVS Inspiration Award.
This webinar gave an overview of the role of veterinary nurses under Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, how VNs can develop their role in practice and take on extra responsibilities and how VNs can approach these conversations in practice through the creation of learning and development plans. This webinar illustrated how fully utilising the nursing team not only hugely boosts the morale of the work force, but also enhances patient care and increases the efficiency of the business.
‘Veterinary nurses’ time is valuable: How and why to charge for it’ presented by Stephanie Writer-Davies MRCVS, Career Progression Working Group member.
This webinar explored the financial implications and benefits of charging for veterinary nurse time and expertise. It provided examples and case studies of how veterinary nurses contribute to practice finances, how practice pricing structures can be developed so that the financial value of veterinary nurses’ time and effort can be better highlighted, and why this is so important in veterinary nurses demonstrating their value to clients.
‘Lead or Head RVN: What’s in a name?’ presented by Gillian Page RVN, President of the Veterinary Management Group.
This webinar looked at the role of the traditional Head RVN and how development of ‘Lead RVNs’ in different areas of practice can help to allow for growth of other talented team members and provide increased and shared responsibility and progression. This webinar explored how this enhances practice efficiency alongside development of team members, thus increasing job satisfaction and, ultimately, retention within the profession.
The VN Futures research clearly demonstrated that there was a desire from the veterinary nursing profession to find ways in which VNs could gain greater recognition for the work they do and progress in their careers.
We hope that RVNs and other members of the profession will access these webinars and be inspired and driven forward by their content, which is provided by speakers who have a wealth of experience in this field.
Through education and the planting of ideas, and encouraging conversations at practice and management level, new ways of working within practice can be implemented that fully utilise the nursing skillset, place a value on veterinary nurses time, and provide opportunities for leadership development across the team.
Simply register your email address with The Webinar Vet to watch any of these for free now:
- Maximising the potential of the Veterinary Nurse – Lou Northway
- Veterinary Nurses’ Time is Valuable; How and Why to Charge for it – Stephanie Writer-Davies
- Lead or Head RVN: What’s in a name? – Gillian Page