Author Archives: Alison German

RCVS VN Council Election Now Open!

The RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council elections are now open! Votes must be received by 5pm on 27 April 2012 and, as in previous years, can be cast online, by post, or by text message.

Three veterinary nurses are standing in the VN Council, and VNs may vote for up to two candidates to fill the two available seats. One candidate is a current member of the RCVS VN Council seeking re-election. This year’s candidates are:

1. Mrs Elizabeth Figg REVN
2. Mrs Katherine Kissick RVN
3. Mr Philippe Ramboaniaina RVN

Ballot papers will shortly be received by all veterinary nurses eligible to vote. Voting instructions and candidate manifestos are enclosed with the ballot papers; candidates voting by text or online will need the two-part security code from this paper. Any veterinary nurses missing their ballot papers should contact Annette Amato (020 7202 0713 / a.amato@rcvs.org.uk).

Do you have a student looking to start their VN training this September?

If so, we are taking applications for the day release and fast track Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing programmes now! Applications have started arriving already, so to avoid disappointment your student can apply online at https://www.caw.ac.uk/apply.aspx.

Employers can now get paid £1500 for each new apprentice they employ!

If you are an employer and are thinking about taking on an apprentice, the time has never been better!

The College of Animal Welfare is currently supporting a government initiative to help employers* in England recruit new apprentices. Any employer (who has not employed an apprentice since April 2009) will be paid £1500 for any new apprentice, aged 16 – 24 years, they employ. This offer is limited to 3 new apprentices per employer. Continue reading →

BVNA Council Elections 2012

Have your say on who’s representing your Association and nominate someone today!

Voting closes on 30th April 2012

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) would like to remind all full members of the Association to consider standing for election onto BVNA Council. Continue reading →

Nursing Progress Log Reminders

Under NO circumstances should any evidence be logged onto a Nursing Progress Log using another person’s log in details or name. Any evidence incorrectly logged will be void and could be seen as deception or fraud.

All evidence must be logged within two weeks of occurrence, this includes awarding of competency.

Competency awards must include details of observation by the Clinical Coach that has led them to confirm the claim and should include details or references that are auditable i.e. case reference.

Please remember that there must be evidence that all of the suggested guidance notes (scope) have been covered prior to awarding of competency.

Practicals for Clinical Coaches CPD Course

Due to the increased number of tasks and recent changes, the Practicals for Clinical Coaches course has been extended to three parts; each a two hour bite-size event.

During part one, delegates will have a demonstration of the newer tasks that have been added to the RCVS bank; current procedure and general examination advice. Part two will look at anaesthesia, theatre practice and laboratory tasks.  Part three will focus on radiography, nursing care (to include fluid therapy, bandaging, pharmacy and medical).

Forthcoming dates can be found here.

VN Practical Examination Centres for March and July Exams Released

Student veterinary nurses taking their practical examinations in March or July 2012 will have a choice of attending the following centres:

March – Myerscough, Hartpury, Plumpton and Nottingham
July – Myerscough, Hartpury, Plumpton, MYF and Harper Adams

The First CAWC Animal Welfare Conference: 21 April 2012

The College of Animal Welfare is proud to be hosting the first CAWC Animal Welfare Conference on Saturday 21 April 2012 at its new education and conference centre in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire!

CAWC, the Companion Animal Welfare Council, was launched in 1999 and was set up “to conduct independent studies into the welfare, care and treatment of companion animals and their role within society.” These studies have served as a foundation for the Council’s role as providers of specialist advice to organisations, institutions and Government.

The Conference is composed of a series of lectures and open forums and will be introduced by CAWC Chairman Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior. A number of distinguished speakers will be providing viewpoints on a wide range of animal welfare topics.

Professor Sheila Crispin FRCVS and Mr Peter Scott FRCVS will cover ethical issues pertaining to the keeping of small animals and exotics. Mr Peter C Jinman OBE MRCVS will explore large animal ownership, and will discuss the latest issues facing pet insurance in modern veterinary practice in an open forum with a number of the other expert speakers.

Mr Neil Forbes MRCVS will talk about problems that occur when people make bad choices in pet ownership. Professor Sir Colin Spedding CBE will chair the afternoon open forum, consisting of a discussion on education of the public in animal welfare issues.

An agenda and booking form can be downloaded here or, for further information, please call Deborah Gould at The College of Animal Welfare on 0844 372 9410.

Turn your Love of the Great Outdoors into a Career!

If you loving being outdoors, are interested in the environment around you and are fascinated by wildlife and different habitats, why not turn your passion into a career with The College of Animal Welfare?

From this September, The College of Animal Welfare, situated in Chord Business Park in Godmanchester, will be running a one year, full-time, City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment programme. Continue reading →

Free Work-Based Apprenticeships at The College of Animal Welfare

The College of Animal Welfare is delighted to now be offering apprenticeships in animal care, horse care and customer service to students in England free of charge until 31 July 2012!

Due to funding availability, any student over 16 years of age, who is employed in a relevant organisation (for example a boarding kennels, riding school or veterinary practice) for 30 hours per week or more may be eligible to take advantage of the offer.

Apprenticeship training is done on the job so there is no need for the student to attend college. Instead they will be allocated an assessor from The College of Animal Welfare who will visit them in their place of work on a regular basis, as well as providing support by email and telephone.

Apprenticeships are available at both levels 2 and 3 and can be started at any time.

Unfortunately, due to funding eligibility criteria, students who hold a previous Higher Education/Level 4 qualification will not qualify for free apprenticeship training.

Further details on apprenticeship programmes can be found here or by calling the College on 0844 372 9410. To enrol online please click here.