At Congress this year we were really keen to celebrate how far our profession has come. We often get frustrated, thinking things never change. But here are some dates to show you just how far we have come; we should be proud.
There was a paper written in 1888 by JH Steele, making an initial reference to nursing animals and how ‘strict attention to the animal’s comfort, wellbeing in matters of warmth, quietude, cleanliness, pure air and diet’ was needed.
In 1934 (a mere 87 years ago) FW Cousens attempted to get the title ‘Canine Nurse’ recognised by the RCVS – this was declined by the council at the time.
Figure 1. Pamela Cook’s certificate.
But then in 1961 (60 years ago) the ‘Registered Animal Nursing Auxiliary’ – RANA – was approved and Veterinary Nursing became a professional qualification. In 1963 Pamela Cooke was the first RANA to qualify; she was also BVNA’s first Honorary Secretary in 1965 (see image of her certificate, .).
Figure 2. First BVNA Office in 1988.
The BVNA formed in 1965 – but had to change to BVNAA (Nursing Auxiliaries) as the term ‘nurse’ was protected until 1984. Since 1984 we have gone from strength to strength and our profession has grown remarkably ().
In 1991 (30 years ago!) the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 was amended and the VN role became recognised in law.
In 2001 our first Equine Nurses qualified.
In 2002 RCVS VN Council was formed.
In 2007 the VN Register formed – this change happened while I was in my final year at university, and I remember the excitement around it. It was non-statutory at this point and you could choose to remain on the ‘List’ or move across to the Register – although when we graduated, we would be straight onto the Register.
In 2011 a disciplinary system was introduced and VN’s had to become RVN’s and move to the Register. This sounds negative – having a disciplinary system, but this is a huge development as it means we are accountable for our own actions.
In 2012 an RVN Code of Conduct was created, and a declaration is now read out by Veterinary Nurses on Graduation.
It hasn’t stopped there. In 2016 VN Futures was formed as a joint initiative by the BVNA and RCVS – there were about 13.5k RVNs on the register at this point. We are now coming to the close of VN Futures part 1 – and it has achieved so much, all recorded in the interim report. There are also now approx. 20,000 RVNs in the UK. This is an astounding growth of RVN’s, and a testament to how much the profession has changed and developed.
As 2021 comes to a close, we are still driving change, the Legislation Consultation holds big plans for changes to the VSA to enhance the VN role as well as protect the title ‘Veterinary Nurse’
So, as we celebrate the RCVS Diamond Jubilee − 60 years of Veterinary Nursing, I am encouraging you to reflect on that journey our profession has been through, and I want to leave you with a quote I found and it really resonated with me:
‘When people talk about travelling into the past, they worry about making a minute change that may have a dramatic impact on the future.
Yet, in the present hardly anyone believes that a small action can have a dramatic impact on the future…’ (source unknown)
Small changes matter. Small impacts matter. You matter. It all comes together to drive that change.
If you would like to contact the members of BVNA Council, email [email protected] and we will answer any queries.
Jo Oakden
BVNA President (2020-2021)
[email protected]