The time between successfully completing your nursing qualification and receiving Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) registration can often be a time of uncertainty – what are you allowed to do in practice?
The answer to this question is different for diploma students and degree students and can be found in the RCVS ‘Awarding Organisation and Higher Education Institution Handbook’ Version 1, p28 – 30.
But first, the clarification of some terms…
Certification: The RCVS Certificate of Registration is issued once a student has met all the requirements of their course and requirements for certification (e.g. number of training hours completed). This certificate signifies the eligibility to register; it is not confirmation of registration.
Registration: successful entering onto the Register of Veterinary Nurses (i.e. you are now an RVN). This involves the RCVS receiving a registration application, record of employment and training, and the registration fee.
Diploma Veterinary Nursing Students
City & Guilds are an awarding organisation and perform certification themselves. They inform the RCVS of all students that have been certificated. For diploma students, the status of Student Veterinary Nurse (SVN) is retained for a period of 3 months from the point of certification. The RCVS will send each student a registration pack which will contain information on how to apply to enter the register.
After the three months, if there has been no application for registration, SVN status is removed and the person now has the status of a lay person i.e. no delegated work under Schedule 3 can be performed.
In summary, diploma students can continue to perform delegated work under Schedule 3 for a period of up to 3 months after certification.
Usually the process of registration will be completed within 4 weeks and the RCVS will contact each person directly and issue the Certificate of Registration and RVN badge. This certificate can be issued through the post or you can apply to receive these at an RCVS admission ceremony.
Application Guidance for entry to the VN Register.
Degree Veterinary Nursing Students
The situation for degree students is very different.
At the point that a degree student completes their course and is waiting to graduate, their status will change from SVN to “graduand.” From this point, the person is not allowed to perform delegated work under Schedule 3, and is classed as a lay person.
The University will inform the RCVS of all students who have completed all elements of their degree (passed all modules, completed the required practice hours, and completed the NPL) at least six weeks before the University graduation ceremony. The graduand will complete the process of registration prior to the graduation ceremony so that their Certificate of Registration can be awarded at the same time that their degree is conferred on them.
If the graduand has found employment, they can apply for Temporary Registration to the RCVS. If this application is successful, the graduand can perform delegated Schedule 3 acts under the supervision of a named veterinary surgeon. This temporary registration ends on the date of the graduation ceremony.
In summary, degree graduands cannot perform Schedule 3 acts (unless they have been granted Temporary Registration with the RCVS).
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