RVNs – Registered Veterinary Nurse
Theatre/Surgical:
NB all meds doses per VS instruction

Organise theatres, equipment, ops lists
 TPR patients, administer pre-med, place cannulae

* Induce G.A (not incremental dosing)
 Clip/scrub surgical sites
 Maintain/monitor G.A
 Scrubbed assistance in theatre

Admin IV infusions

Wound care/bandaging
* Surgical Dip VNs or RVNs who have attended schedule 3 training and are deemed competent by the
VS and under their direction can for example carry out:
 Suture minor wounds

Remove small skin lumps

Aural haematoma correction
NB RVNs must not enter a body cavity i.e. cat castrate
Dentals: under VS instruction

Routine dental hygiene work
NB RVNs must not remove teeth
SVNs – Student Veterinary Nurse
Theatre/Surgical:
NB SVNs can perform all tasks listed in the
RVN column under supervision.
In the case of minor surgical procedures supervision must be direct, continuous and personal by a VS or RVN .
Dentals: as above
NQs – Non-Qualified
Theatre/Surgical:

Set up / clean theatre
 Assist with maintenance of G.As under direct and continuous supervision of a VS NB
RVNs/SVNs are most suitable

Cleaning and sterilisation of surgical instruments
 Monitor the recovery of animals from G.A
NB Maintaining anaesthesia is the responsibility of a VS, but a NQN with suitable training can assist by acting as the
VS hands e.g. by moving dials.
Dentals:


Set up equipment
Assist with G.As
under direct continuous supervision of a VS
NB RVNs/SVNs are most suitable
Radiography:

Set up equipment
 Assist with G.As
under continual direction of a VS NB RVNs/SVNs are most suitable
VN Clinics:
Must not run nurse clinics
Radiography:

Prep for x-rays
 Perform basic positioning & radiography
 Assist/perform contrast studies under VS direction
 Process x-rays
VN Clinics: Relevant training is required
 Bandage/dressing change
 2 nd vacs as directed by the vet NB RVN can
sign vac record card, it’s advised to use post nominal to include, 'Under the direction of….'
At the bottom)
 Wound checks
 Repeat blood tests as directed by the VS

Admit/discharge appointments on instruction of the VS
 Clubs – Obesity, Senior, Puppy, Behaviour
 Flea/worm/micro chipping NB for all POM-V meds a vet must have clinically assessed the patient within a reasonable amount of time


Preventative dental care checks
Clip nails
Inpatients:
 Oversee full nursing care of IPs
 Administer meds as directed by a VS

IV placement and maintenance of IVF

Pre, peri & postoperative obs & care to include full physical exam
 Nursing critical IPs

Physiotherapy
 Collect samples urine, faeces, blood
Medical:
 Blood pressure monitoring
 Perform blood transfusions/administer blood products under VS direction
 Set up/ run ECG
 Fit Holter monitors

Triage

Laboratory tests
Radiography: as above
VN Clinics:
Can only assist with Nurse clinics for training purposes and supervision must be direct and continuous at all times from either a Vet or RVN.
Inpatients:
NB SVNs can perform all tasks listed in the
RVN column under supervision.
Medical: as above
Inpatients:

 Feeding, walking, cleaning
 TPR
 Collect samples urine, faeces
NB Clients must not be mislead to believe they are being dealt with RVNs when dealing with NQNs
Medical:

Must not administer medications *
Laboratory tests

*RVNs 'Theatre' – with regards to RVNs carrying out schedule 3 procedures IVC recommend that VS are most suitable to carry out FNAs and lump removals
*NQs 'Medicating Inpatients' – the clinical board have agreed that NQs can medicate animals if:
Clients are informed:
Consent forms are updated to say ‘from time to time it will be necessary for animal care assistants to medicate your pet, under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon.’
Plus care assistants have received appropriate training and documentation to prove competence
The nurse committee will be sending out a competence chart, covering all aspects, for use in practice.

RVN’s cannot diagnose or prescribe medication. SQPs can prescribe POM-VPS & NFA-VPS medications within the limitation of the scope of the qualifications they have obtained and the registration they hold.

RVN or SVN is not entitled independently to undertake either medical treatment or minor surgical procedures

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is mandatory for RVNs, the required minimum CPD is 45 hours in any three-year period

'Supervision' means that the VS is present and on the premises and able to respond to a request for assistance if needed
*law regarding nurses and anaesthesia currently under review and may be subject to change
All procedures which can be legally delegated to veterinary nursing staff within veterinary practice are covered by:

Schedule 3 of the veterinary surgeons Act 1966

The Royal Charter and the VN Conduct & Discipline Rules 2014
These are to protect public interest and safeguard animal health & welfare
RCVS Code of Professional Conduct states:
18.1 RVNs are those whose names are recorded in the Register of Veterinary Nurses and maintained by the RCVS
SVNs are those enrolled with the RCVS for the purpose of training at an approved centre or practice
18.2 RVNs are subject to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and a similar regulatory jurisdiction as VS.

For further information please read:

Schedule 3 of the veterinary surgeons Act 1966

The Royal Charter and the VN Conduct & Discipline Rules 2014

RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses

The Medicines Act 1968

The Medicines (restrictions on the administration of medical products) regulations 1994

The Retailers Records for Veterinary Medicinal Product Regulations 2000

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1998

BSAVA Medicines Guidance
Nicola Monkman & Gemma Brudenell Amended – 01/02/16