The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has congratulated eight international veterinary nurses after they passed examinations allowing them to join the Register.

Those who passed came from Australia, New Zealand and the United States in addition to a veterinary nurse who had graduated from the Royal Veterinary College’s veterinary nursing degree course at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Sarah Millar, who is a British citizen, is the first graduate from this course to pass the pre-registration examination and now intends to join the Register. She said, ‘As part of my degree I was required to complete OSCEs so I knew what to expect with regards to examinations, although I had to do them in an unfamiliar environment.

‘I was excited and relieved to hear that I had passed. Being a registered veterinary nurse means I will be responsible and accountable for my actions, as well as continuing with evidence-based practice.’

Most veterinary nurses who qualify from outside the UK are required to sit the RCVS pre-registration examination prior to joining the Register. In June this year 11 candidates sat the examination of whom eight passed, which is the highest pass rate yet.

Julie Dugmore, the Head of Veterinary Nursing at the RCVS, said ‘I would like to congratulate those who have passed as this is by no means an easy examination and involves a lot of preparation and forethought beforehand. We look forward to welcoming them to the Register of Veterinary Nurses and taking them through their professional declarations’

The Donkey Sanctuary’s 45 years of experience and knowledge has been gathered together in one easy to read guide, covering every aspect of understanding the needs of donkeys and mules, and how to provide the best care for them. There is estimated to be a world population of 44 million donkeys and 15 million mules and hinnies.

Ben Hart, Donkey Care Training Manager says, ‘I am delighted to announce the release of the new Donkey Care Handbook. It’s everything you need to know for the lifelong welfare of your donkeys and mules. We wanted to produce a document that was invaluable to new and potential donkey owners, so donkeys going to new homes outside the Sanctuary, can be assured their new owners have the most up to date information to help provide a high quality home.

The Donkey Care Handbook is freely accessible to anyone with an interest in donkeys.

For more information and to download the handbook visit the donkey sanctuary website. There are also donkey care fact sheets available to download.

As of the beginning of next year, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) will no longer be allowing veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses to enter undocumented continuing professional development (CPD) on their records.

The Veterinary Nursing Education Committee decided to discontinue the annual allowance of five hours of adhoc, undocumented private study for veterinary nurses. This is in line with a decision made by the RCVS Education Committee in May to discontinue the equivalent allowance for veterinary surgeons of ten hours per annum.

It is a requirement of the RCVS Codes of Professional Conduct that veterinary surgeons record a minimum of 105 hours of CPD over a three-year period, while veterinary nurses are expected to carry out 45 hours of CPD over the same period.

The Education Department is also in the process of reviewing the information available to veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses regarding what counts as CPD, in order to clear up uncertainty and provide more specific examples for each learning category.

Information about CPD for veterinary surgeons can be found here, and for veterinary nurses here.

Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Nurses are invited to attend the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Annual General Meeting and Awards Day on Friday 10th July at One Great George Street in Westminster between 10am and 12.45pm.

The AGM is followed by the presentation of awards, giving those attending the opportunity to recognise and celebrate veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and lay people who have contributed towards the profession.

The current RCVS President Professor Stuart Reid will chair the AGM and welcome new members to RCVS Council, before handing over to Dr Bradley Viner, who will be invested as President for 2015-16.

Those who wish to attend RCVS Day can book their place by contacting Emma Lockley, RCVS Events Officer, on e.lockley@rcvs.org.uk or 020 72020773.