Training student veterinary nurses (SVNs) is a rewarding and impactful way to grow your team and contribute to the profession, but it also comes with responsibilities. For practices registered as Training Practices (TPs) or auxiliary Training Practices (aTPs), staying compliant with RCVS standards is essential not only to maintain your accreditation but to ensure your students are getting the high-quality veterinary nurse training they deserve.
If you’re a head veterinary nurse, clinical supervisor, or practice manager involved in supervising SVNs, here’s a practical guide to help you stay on the right track – and how working with a supportive training provider can make the process smoother and more efficient:
What does the RCVS expect from Training Practices?
As a Training Practice (TP), you need to meet certain criteria that ensure SVNs gain the experience, supervision, and skills needed to enter practice as competent Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs). These are outlined in the RCVS Standards Framework for Veterinary Nurse Education and Training. Key requirements include:
- Appropriate facilities and equipment: Your practice must have the clinical resources needed to support SVNs in developing their Day One Skills – this includes areas such as diagnostics, anaesthesia, surgical nursing, and patient care.
- Trained clinical supervisors: At least one member of staff must hold the relevant training to act as a clinical supervisor and be actively supporting the student throughout their veterinary nurse training.
- Suitable caseload: The practice should see a varied and sufficient caseload to allow students to experience a wide range of clinical situations and species relevant to their veterinary nursing qualification.
- Regular supervision and review meetings: Clinical supervisors must hold regular reviews with the student and provide feedback, guidance, and appropriate mentoring and assessing throughout their training.
- Up-to-date record keeping: Accurate, up-to-date training records and progress documentation must be maintained and accessible for both internal and external quality assurance checks.
What if your practice doesn’t meet all the criteria?
Not every veterinary practice will be able to provide exposure to all Day One Skills. For example, you may not have sufficient laboratory facilities or perform certain types of surgery. In these cases, your practice may still be able to register as an auxiliary Training Practice (aTP).
An aTP supports students for part of their training, with a plan in place to cover any gaps in experience through a linked Training Practice or external placements. This flexible approach allows more practices to get involved in training, even if they can’t meet every requirement in-house.
If you’re not sure if your practice can qualify as a TP or aTP, our team is happy to advise, just request a call back here.
Common compliance pitfalls and how you can manage it to stay compliant
Even well-organised teams can face challenges when it comes to student supervision. Here are some of the most frequent issues we see and how you can manage it:
| Compliance challenge | How to manage it | How we support CAW TPs and aTPs |
| Lapsed clinical supervisor training, or uncertainty around the clinical supervisor role and responsibilities | Keep a record of supervisor certification expiry dates and ensure refresher training is planned in advance. | We provide free Clinical Supervisor training and standardisation events for all CAW Training Practices and those supporting our students. This keeps your training current and your supervision consistent with RCVS expectations. We also have a dedicated forum where you can ask questions and share experiences with other supervisors. |
| Incomplete documentation | Allocate regular time for updating training records, and establish a simple system for logging assessments and student progress. | Our Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) team is always on hand to offer guidance, and to check in throughout the year to help ensure your records are up to date and audit-ready. |
| Limited caseload or missing skill areas | If your practice lacks certain case types that an SVN requires to complete their training, you will need to plan supplementary placements or rotations at other sites to cover this. | If your practice can’t cover every Day One Skill, we can provide advice and outline what areas will need to be completed elsewhere. Specific documentation of the arrangement with another TP is required, your dedicated IQA can assist with this. |
| Lack of time for supervision or progress reviews | Schedule supervision time as part of your rota planning. Consider using templates or checklists to structure reviews consistently. | We understand time pressures. That’s why we offer mentoring tips and shared resources to help you deliver meaningful supervision. |
| Uncertainty around RCVS audits or requirements | Familiarise yourself with the RCVS requirements and use any available audit tools or mock review checklists to prepare. | Our onboarding process walks you through what to expect, and our team is always available to support you with preparation advice, and quality assurance insights. |
Being proactive and well-organised can go a long way in maintaining compliance, even in busy or resource-limited settings.
Compliance for clinical supervisors
While the student is the primary learner, the role of the clinical supervisor is central to their success – and the demands of this role shouldn’t be underestimated. If you’re new to supervision, or taking on an SVN for the first time, you should:
- Undertake recognised training as a clinical supervisor
- Stay informed about RCVS expectations and updates
- Access peer support and share experiences with others in similar roles where possible
- Make use of available resources to guide your supervision
Maintaining competence as a clinical supervisor isn’t just about compliance – it’s about being confident in your ability to support and assess students effectively.
The CAW advantage: Extra support for clinical supervisors
As a training provider, we’re committed to empowering teams to train students effectively. Clinical supervisors supporting The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) students gain access to a wide range of benefits that make their role easier and more rewarding:
- Free Clinical Supervisor Training and Standardisation Events Stay qualified and confident with our free CPD-accredited training for all clinical supervisors in CAW-linked practices.
- Dedicated IQA Support Our Internal Quality Assurance team is just a phone call or email away. Whether you have a quick question or need guidance on a complex issue, we’re here to help.
- Exclusive CPD Discounts – Including Clinical Supervisor Congress Join our annual virtual Clinical Supervisor Congress at a discounted rate. Enjoy expert speakers, networking opportunities, best practice insights, and 7 hours of CPD all from the comfort of your home or practice.
- Access to the Clinical Supervisor VLE and Forum Our advanced Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) offers a range of resources to help you support your student(s). You can also connect with other clinical supervisors via our dedicated forum for advice and shared experience.
Training SVNs doesn’t have to be overwhelming
Training an SVN can be one of the most rewarding aspects of your role – not just for the student, but for your whole team. By understanding and maintaining RCVS compliance, you’re helping to ensure that veterinary nurses qualify with the experience, skills, and confidence they need to thrive in practice.
Interested in becoming a Training Practice or looking for a new training provider?
If you’re unsure whether your current setup meets the requirements for TP or aTP status, or you want to review your supervision process, please get in touch. We’d love to talk about how we can support you, your team, and your future RVNs. Investing a little time in getting things right will make the whole experience smoother for you and more valuable for your student.
Request a call back to discuss training SVNs in your practice.