VN award changed to boost nominations
There are plans to allow each year's winner to give a speech at BVNA Congress.
Changes will be made to the VN Golden Jubilee award in a bid to boost the number of nominations.
At a meeting of the VN Council in Telford last week, it was revealed that there are generally just three or four nominations each year.
As well as a general lack of nominations, some of those submitted are not meeting the criteria - perhaps due to confusion with other awards, such as the Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year or CEVA Animal Welfare Awards.
In 2013, the panel decided none of the nominations fit the criteria.
Going forward, the award will be restricted so that only veterinary nurses may win and the criteria will be clarified. The award seeks nurses who have made an 'exceptional' contribution to the profession in terms of leadership, outreach, awareness-raising and ambassadorship.
The nominations period will also change, bringing it into line with the Queen's Medal award for veterinary surgeons.
Additionally, there are plans to allow each year's winner to give a speech at BVNA Congress.
VN Council vice chair Kathy Kissick expressed some concern over this, however: "I would be very twitchy about giving someone free rein to say what they like," she commented. It was suggested award winners will receive help in putting together a professional presentation.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
