Future opportunities

The end of the year is always viewed as one of reflection and a stepping stone to a new year. Change is not always a negative, but even as a positive, change can be difficult. As a profession, no matter which country you are in, we have developed as a whole in the last year. A change in one country acts as a catalyst for others to follow the lead. In the United Kingdom momentum is building towards updating the Veterinary Surgeon's Act to recognise the title of Veterinary Nurse. In Australia the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) launched the Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Registration Scheme on 1 April 2019. AVNAT is the national registration scheme for veterinary nurses and veterinary technicians involved in clinical, management or academic areas. Through the creation of the AVNAT Registration Scheme, the VNCA has established a thorough and transparent self-regulation programme that has set standards of professional practice across the veterinary nursing industry nationwide, really pushing the standard of veterinary nursing forward. In many European countries the development of the more formalised role of veterinary nurses is making huge leaps forward.