The BEVA Guide to Equine Veterinary Nursing

Introduction

Veterinary nursing has developed in parallel with changes in veterinary practice. The first training scheme was established in 1961 by the RCVS when 161 people took the first RANA examinations. In 1984 the title was changed to Veterinary Nurse following a change in legislation and in the year 2000 over 2000 sat the VN examinations.

These courses were all small animal based; however advances in equine practice have led to an increasing requirement for nurses skilled in the care of equine patients.

In response to efforts by BEVA, BVNA and RCVS, a new nursing qualification has been developed:-

The Certificate in Equine Veterinary Nursing

This is awarded by the RCVS following appropriate training and examinations. Holders of the certificate are recorded on the RCVS List of nurses and may use the letters EVN after their name. The first EVN examination was held in 2000 and the first certificates awarded in 2001.

Routes of study

Direct Entry Route

A direct entry scheme is now available. The syllabus and training parallel that of the small animal VN scheme but are purely equine based. This enables students to achieve an EVN qualification in as little as two years. The student must be enrolled with an approved course provider and be employed by an approved Equine Training Practice (ETP).

“Fast Track/Add On” route

Initially a scheme was introduced which allowed ‘fast track’ achievement of the EVN qualification. Entry was restricted to qualified VNs with two year’s experience in hospital standard centres and this enabled students to follow a one year route to the examination.

This route is no longer available but may be re-introduced depending on demand. Contact the RCVS for details or visit the website: www.rcvs.org.uk [1]

Obtaining the Qualification

The Direct Entry Scheme

This scheme enables trainees with no previous experience to gain the EVN qualification. The course runs over a minimum of two years and results in the awards of NVQ/SVQ at levels 2 and 3. You must enrol with an approved centre VNAC and be employed by an approved Equine Training Practice (ETP). A list of Centres and approved practices can be found at Annex A or on the RCVS website www.rcvs.org.uk [2] . You can be employed part time and still train but you must work at least 20 hours per week and complete the equivalent of 3,290 hours within five years.

The entry requirements are the same as are currently required for VN training: -

§ You must have 5 GCSEs at grade C or above or Scottish standard grades 1-3. These must include English and two sciences, one of which must be mathematics.

Registration

§ Candidates should apply to the RCVS.
§ Applications can be made at any time but enrolment should be made in time for the new training year. This will depend on the course provider.

The Syllabus

The syllabus is extensive and over the two years covers the following subject headings:

Level 2
Relationships and Accountability in Veterinary Nursing Practice
Health and Safety in Veterinary Nursing Practice
Applied Functional Equine Anatomy for Veterinary Nursing Practice
Maintaining Animal Health
Essential Veterinary Nursing Skills
Nursing Support in the provision of Veterinary Services

Level 3
Application of Veterinary Nursing Care
Principals and Practice of Diagnostics for Veterinary Nursing
Pharmacology and Pharmacy Support for Veterinary Nursing
Surgical Theatre Practice for Veterinary Nurses
Supporting Anaesthesia in Veterinary Practice

Training

This takes place over a period of 2 year or the part time equivalent of a total of 94 weeks.

Training consists of four elements:

1. In-house training in the practice
2. Private study
3. Weekend, block or day release courses for enrolled candidates
4. BEVA equine nursing courses, congress days etc.

In-House Training

This is a mandatory requirement and comprises training to cover the course syllabus and preparation of a case portfolio. A veterinary surgeon or senior nurse in the practice (with appropriate assessor training) is designated as the assessor and will monitor the candidate’s training and progress. Training does not have to be formal teaching but can be centred on cases being currently treated. Some one-to-one tutorial sessions are necessary.

The portfolio is a record of cases where the candidate has been observed by the assessor whilst participating in the management and treatment of those cases. The portfolio is divided into 11 modules.

Each module requires a number of cases to be recorded with a smaller number to be reported in more detail, e.g. surgical nursing. It is emphasised that these are not “veterinary” case reports but summaries of the nursing management showing understanding of the underlying condition. Forms are provided to allow a standard format and a record of the assessor’s comments.

The practice assessor initially checks these portfolios at the time of the actual cases. The idea is to verify practical skills, not to mark the case log as an intellectual thesis.

The portfolios will subsequently be checked by an internal verifier from the VNAC and finally by an external verifier when they are submitted to the RCVS following the written examinations.

Private Study

Private study is essential.

There must be access to a suitable library at the training centre and the candidate should be able to access electronic and postal sources e.g. the RCVS library, which provides an excellent service.

Guidance both in study and library techniques will be given on the courses.

Training Courses for candidates

The VNAC will provide courses to cover the theory necessary to complete the course and to reinforce practical skills (and visa versa). These are usually on a day release basis with one day per week spent at college or the training centre. Some colleges offer a block release scheme.

BEVA nursing courses, Congress days etc

BEVA organises nursing courses and nursing days at Congress. BVNA also arranges courses for VNs, EVNs and trainees. These can be a valuable opportunity to learn something new or exchange ideas with fellow students.

The Examinations

These take place in up to three times per year in parallel with the VN examinations. The format for the written exams is now a computer based multiple choice examination. Before entering for examination, 60% of your portfolio must be completed.

The Level 2 exam comprises two papers of 90 minutes each.

The level 3 exam comprises two written papers of 90 minutes each as for level 2 and a practical exam. The latter comprises a series of short practical tests in four separate areas:
§ Medical nursing and fluid therapy
§ Laboratory
§ Surgical nursing and anaesthesia
§ Diagnostic Imaging
You must have achieved your level 2 NVQ before sitting the level 3 exam.

Once you have passed the level 3 exam and your portfolio assessment, you can become registered with the RCVS as an EVN and use the letters after your name.

The “Fast Track/Add On” route

Eligibility

The Candidate

· Must be a qualified VN and currently listed with the RCVS
· Must have at least two years post-qualification experience working in a suitable equine practice and be mainly involved in the nursing care of horses.
· Must enrol on the ‘fast track’ course with an approved VNAC and be employed by an ETP
· Must complete courses, portfolio, private study and examinations as for Direct Entry but for smaller course content.

Changes in Veterinary Nursing Training

The change over to the NVQ/SVQ system, which is regulated by QCA, required rather drastic changes in the structure of veterinary nurse training. The small animal and equine syllabuses have been reviewed and rewritten to correlate with the occupational standards, which have been prepared by LANTRA. As this is still a fairly new system, it is still subject to small changes while the problems are tackled.

Further, at present there is a University -based honours degree in Veterinary Nursing available to small animal veterinary nurses. It might be possible for this or something similar to be extended to equine veterinary nurses in the near future.

How Much Does It All Cost?

Enrolment for the course is currently £184.
The examination entry fee is currently £165 –Level 2
and £85 plus £185 (practical) level 3
The weekend courses at Hartpury are approx. £200 each.
BEVA weekend courses are usually about £250.
There will be other expenses.

Schedule 3

Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 has been amended to allow listed Equine Veterinary Nurses to carrying out certain treatments on animals including horses. Such treatment must be under the direction of the veterinary surgeon in charge of the case and includes giving medical treatment and carrying out minor surgery not involving a body cavity.

BEVA Nursing Courses

A number of courses have been arranged annually for anyone involved in equine nursing. These cover a variety of basic and advanced techniques in a wide range of subjects. They are not mandatory and are not specifically targeted for examination candidates but are very likely to be helpful.
BEVA have a nursing day at the annual BEVA Congress in September.

BEVA Equine Nurse Membership

BEVA have established a membership category for nurses. This is for those who are enrolled on a veterinary nursing course or who are qualified EVNs or VNs having an interest in equine nursing or who are employed by a BEVA member in a nursing role.

Nurse members receive advance notice of BEVA nursing courses and may attend at preferential rates. They also receive all the other benefits of membership including the newsletter, which gives up to date information on current issues. There are currently 47 nurse members. Membership with both journals (Equine Veterinary Journal and Equine Veterinary Education) is currently £85 p.a. or without journals is currently £35 p.a.

Glossary

BEVA British Equine Veterinary Association
RCVS Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
BVNA British Veterinary Nursing Association
NVQ National Vocational Qualification
SVQ Scottish Vocational Qualification
QCA Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
EV External Verifier
IV Internal Verifier
VNAC Veterinary Nursing Approved Centre
VN Veterinary Nurse
EVN Equine Veterinary Nurse
ETP…………………..Equine Training Practice
LANTRA National Training Organisation – Land Based Sector
MCQ Multiple Choice Question (exam)
RANA Registered Animal Nursing Auxiliary
RVN………………….Registered Veterinary Nurse

Useful Addresses

BVNA
Level 15 Terminus House
Terminus Street
Harlow
Essex
CM201XA

Tel: 01279 450567
Email: bvna@bvna.org.uk [3]
Website: www.bvna.org.uk [4]

RCVS
Belgravia House
62-64 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 2AF
Tel: 0207 222 2001/ 0207 202 0711
Fax: 0207 222 2004

Email: veterinarynursing@rcvs.org.uk [5]
Website: www.rcvs.org.uk [6]

BEVA
Mulberry House
31 Market St
Fordham
Ely
Cambs
CB7 5LQ

Tel: 01638 723 555
Fax: 01638 724 043

Email: info@beva.org.uk [7]
Website: www.beva.org.uk [7]

Bibliography

There is no “course book” and candidates should be prepared to obtain information from a variety of sources, however the following text is dedicated to equine nursing. It has been designed to cover the EVN syllabus and has BEVA endorsement.

Equine Veterinary Nursing Manual
Editor : Karen Coumbe
Publisher : Blackwell Science

Updated March 2008