Animal Health | Veterinary Nursing

The Royal Veterinary College celebrates 25 years of veterinary nursing courses

vetreportMarch 19, 2024

The Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) Centre for Veterinary Nursing commemorated its Silver Jubilee Reunion on Saturday 16^th March. This follows 25 years of RVC undergraduate veterinary nursing courses and 16 years of postgraduate veterinary nursing courses. With more than 80 guests in attendance, the event welcomed alumni, past and current staff, as well as special guests and speakers to mark the significant milestone.

The day began with a welcome message from RVC President & Principal, Professor Stuart Reid CBE, followed by a series of guest speakers. Attendees were then invited on guided tours of the Hawkshead Campus where alumni reconnected with familiar surroundings as well as seeing the significant growth and development of the RVC’s facilities over the years.

The keynote speeches were delivered by prominent registered veterinary nurses (RVN) on their experiences and career journeys. Guest RVN speakers included Belinda Andrew-Jones, Matthew Rendle and Gemma Crowley as well as the RVC’s senior blood transfusion RVN, Charlotte Russo. They talked about their career journeys and showcased their passion for their work as well as their determination, leadership and ability to make the most of opportunities that came their way. Not only enriching their own careers but through dissemination, they also forged new opportunities for other RVNs.

Over the last 25 years, the impact of courses such as these has been substantial, and the sector has evolved. There are now more RVNs in leadership roles, they can own their own practices and VNs are awarded Professional Registration by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The industry now celebrates a more diverse veterinary nursing population with many involved in research and dissemination of knowledge. There are also more academic development opportunities post registration at institutions including the RVC, including the new RCVS CertAVNs, MScs in VN and more RVNs undertaking PhDs.

The Silver Jubilee Reunion showcases the RVC’s continued commitment to excellence in veterinary nursing education. As a leading institution dedicated to high-quality education, professional development and career opportunities, its courses suit veterinary nurses at all stages of their careers. Its undergraduate, postgraduate and CPD courses help empower veterinary nurses while increasing visibility and promotion of the profession.

Perdi Welsh, Director of Veterinary Nursing at the RVC, said:

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our undergraduate and postgraduate veterinary nursing courses over the past 25 and 16 years, respectively. The reunion provided a wonderful opportunity for our alumni, staff and guests to reconnect and reminisce about their time at the RVC and celebrate the wonderful contributions veterinary nurses make to the profession.”

Hilary Orpet, Deputy Director of Veterinary Nursing at the RVC, said:

“It’s incredibly fulfilling to have been involved in our veterinary nursing education from the start of the first-degree course to developing the Foundation degree and later the BSc pathway. The success of all veterinary nursing students who have graduated from the RVC is certainly something to be celebrated and the ideal opportunity to shine a light on the many who have gone on to become leaders within the profession.”

More information about Veterinary Nursing at the RVC can be found here: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/veterinary-nursing

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