Over 800 RVNs asked to submit their CPD records

Last week we wrote to more than 800 registered veterinary nurses asking them to submit their continuing professional development records in order to monitor compliance with their professional obligation to undertake CPD.

Under the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses, members of the VN profession are expected to undertake at least 45 hours of CPD over a rolling three-year period in order to demonstrate that they are keeping their skills up-to-date and engaging in learning and development.

Every year since 2010, we have conducted a CPD audit with registered veterinary nurses to gauge compliance and see what type of CPD the profession is engaging in.

This year we have contacted a random sample of 468 registered veterinary nurses from across all postcode areas (representing around 8% of the profession) asking them to share their records.

Furthermore, we have also written to 107 RVNs who took part in last year’s audit but were short of meeting the requirement, 80 RVNs who failed to respond to requests to submit their records in last year’s audit and 150 RVNs who confirmed they were not compliant with the CPD requirement when renewing their registration last year.

Those veterinary nurses who were previously on the List and who were moved to the Register when our new Royal Charter came into effect in February 2015, have not been asked to take part in the audit.

Previously-listed veterinary nurses were not expected to undertake CPD and so we are allowing a ‘bedding in’ period of three years (until 2018) for them to fulfil the requirement. Further details on how the new Charter affects previously listed veterinary nurses can be found on our dedicated FAQ page. 

Veterinary nurses taking part in the audit need to submit their CPD records to us no later than Friday 14 August. Records can be submitted by allowing us to access your online Professional Development Record, by emailing a scanned copy of your CPD record card or posting a photocopy of your card.

Those with any queries about the audit should contact our Veterinary Nursing Department on 020 7202 0701 or email [email protected]