The future role of the veterinary nurse
I am delighted to hear that registered veterinary nurses are keen to expand their role and that veterinary surgeons support them in this wish. In the final report of the RCVS's The Future Role of the Veterinary Nurse: 2017 Schedule 3 survey, released on October 27th, the majority of both RVNs (92%) and veterinary surgeons (71%) agreed that RVNs should be able to undertake additional areas of work that are not currently permitted under Schedule 3. Virtually all RVNs and veterinary surgeons agreed that RVNs should be able to administer medicine by intramuscular injection; administer preventative POM-Vs such as endo-and ecto-parasiticides, and administer medicines by intravenous injection. Cat castrations and dental extractions — previously discussed candidates for adding to the list of tasks permitted to RVNs — did not reach the same consensus, with RVNs more keen to carry out these tasks than veterinary surgeons were to delegate them.