The veterinary nursing code of conduct — under consultation

One of the marks of a true profession is that its members accept a code of conduct, and the introduction by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) of the Guide to Professional Conduct for Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) in 2007 was a milestone on the path towards veterinary nurses achieving professional recognition. However, this guidance now needs to be updated to reflect the development of our professional role, and to make sure its content, format and presentation meet the current and foreseeable needs of both the veterinary team and of the animal-owning public.

Therefore the RCVS is consulting both veterinary professionals and animal owners about a draft new Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and I urge veterinary nurses to please read the draft and send the RCVS your comments before the consultation closes on 21 October. The new Code, once approved and introduced, will become the benchmark for veterinary nurses' professional conduct, against which RVNs will be measured in any hearings held into serious professional misconduct by the recently-introduced VN Disciplinary Committee: it is important that you tell us what you think.