Making history sometimes happens right under our noses but do we realize it when it happens? When Ernest Rutherford split the atom, did the world truly recognize what an accomplishment that was? Did they realize that they were witnessing one of the most significant scientific discoveries of the century? This year, we are witnessing history in the making as the veterinary nursing community takes steps that could change the course of our profession for years to come. On 11 October of this year, the RCVS celebrated the 50th anniversary of veterinary nursing in the UK with a Golden Jubilee event at the House of Commons. During the event, VN Council Chairman Liz Branscombe urged MPs to sign up to an Early Day Motion calling for statutory regulation of the veterinary nursing profession. There is also an e-petition instigated by BVNA which is now open for all UK residents to sign. The VNC veterinary legislation working party will be considering all options and the recommendations on how to implement statutory regulation of veterinary nurses will be presented to the DEFRA Minister of State in mid 2012.
This move is important for our profession, and will protect our patients from unqualified staff who call themselves veterinary nurses. While our current non-statutory Register for Veterinary Nurses is a good interim measure to which the majority of eligible nurses have already signed up, there is still no legal way to prevent unqualified persons from taking work as a veterinary nurse and this poses some significant risks for animal health and welfare, as well as for the public interest. With statutory regulation, only fully qualified persons would be able to hold the title of veterinary nurse. This would be a significant achievement if it goes through and we would all be witness to a momentous event in history that will raise the professionalism and accountability of our qualification.
Accountability is a key area of focus for another change in our profession. This October, VN Council proposed that the RCVS should cease being an awarding body from next year and the decision was ratified at the November RCVS Council meeting. This move was in response to concerns about the perceived risk of a conflict of interest between the College's role as a regulator and that of an awarding body. From next year, the RCVS will no longer offer the vocational Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. The new awarding body has not yet been announced, but the RCVS asserts that they are committed to preserving the current qualification. Those students still in the process of completing the old NVQ qualifications, the accreditation of which is due to run out in 2013, will continue to be serviced by the RCVS. In keeping with above changes, the RCVS Council approved changes to the Veterinary Nursing Bylaws in order to strengthen its role as a regulatory body. It will now be better able to ensure that qualified veterinary nurses are ft to practice and accountable for their actions.
Even for those of us who do not reside in the UK, this increased regulation and accountability has far reaching effects on our global professionalism, accountability, public perception and VN education around the world. Our increased access to digital media and social networks is allowing us to collaborate more than ever before so while this may seem like these changes are occurring in the UK, it is a big step for all of us. We can all be proud of how far we have come and stand up and take notice of the history that is unfolding before us.
So, while we are celebrating these significant events, it is a good time to improve our skills and learn something new. This issue of The Veterinary Nurse offers a good selection of clinical articles covering blood transfusions, triage, wound drains and a case study on canine heart failure. There is also an excellent article on the implications of using cuffed endotracheal tubes and an article on ensuring animal welfare during disasters. We hope you enjoy this issue.