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.
The Future Role of the Veterinary Nurse: 2017 Schedule 3 survey aimed to assess the current extent of delegation under Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, and the level of understanding of Schedule 3 within the profession. A perhaps surprising outcome of the survey was the responses to the questions about their understanding of what RVNs can currently do under Schedule 3 — RVNs rated their personal understanding at 6.74 out of 10, while veterinary surgeons rated their understanding at even less: 5.57 out of 10. This lack of understanding of what tasks could be delegated to RVNs is almost certainly responsible for preventing the full utilisation of RVNs in practice. In addition, veterinary surgeons admitted that they are not very good at delegating — but delegation is essential for the extension of the veterinary nursing role and to free veterinary surgeons up to do tasks that only they can do.
One of the questions posed to the respondents related to the kind of clinical tasks they are currently undertaking. It may not come as a surprise to you to hear that the top three tasks being undertaken by RVNs are: clinical cleaning; administration of medicines by subcutaneous injection; and administration of medication. It is also good to know that the majority of RVNs are involved in nursing clinics, with the top three being puppy/kitten, nutrition and general check ups. The veterinary surgons who responded to the survey had a clear idea of the roles that were being undertaken by RVNs — and both veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons agreed on which tasks were being frequently undertaken by nurses.
All qualified RVNs, student nurses and veterinary surgeons were sent the questionnaire and 6873 RVNs and 4752 veterinary surgeons responded (34.9% and 21.3% respectively). The majority of veterinary nurses who responded (76%) worked in first opinion small animal practice.
A quote was pulled out which perhaps sums up the current feeling in the profession: ‘I am proud to be a veterinary nurse and just wish the general public would recognise us as nurses not just the underdogs to the vets'. But the future role of the RVN does look bright.