VN Education Committee approves expanded pre-registration exams for overseas VNs
21 December 2023
The Veterinary Nurse Education Committee has approved an expansion of the pre-registration examination for veterinary nurses trained overseas so that it now includes a knowledge-based component, in addition to the practical exam.
The pre-registration examination must be passed by veterinary nurses educated outside of the UK who do not hold a qualification approved by the Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nurse Education (or ACOVENE), as well as those who hold UK qualifications where their educational institution is not fully accredited by the RCVS.
The current iteration of the exam consists of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) delivered in the UK, but from March 2024, those taking the exams will also undertake a knowledge-based examination.
Julie Dugmore (pictured), RCVS Director of Veterinary Nursing, said: “VN Education Committee approved this new exam component to ensure that we weren’t only testing candidates’ Day One skills via the OSCE, but were also making sure that they met our Day One Competences, which integrate a mixture of knowledge, skills and attitudes.
“The examination will take the form of two multiple choice question exam papers with 100 questions in each, and the great advantage is that candidates will be able to sit the examination anywhere in the world, provided they have access to a computer and a good internet connection. The OSCE exams will, of course, continue to be hosted at a UK venue.”
The first sitting of the exam will take place in the week commencing 25 March 2024 with further sittings available in the summer and autumn. All pre-registration examination candidates who submitted an application to have their education and experienced checked for suitability to enter the pre-registration examination after 1 November 2023, will be required to sit both exam components.
Those with any questions about working as a veterinary nurse in the UK or sitting the examination should contact the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Department on [email protected] or 020 7202 0788.