Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

RCVS Academy launches course to support new RVNs
The course is free and takes approximately 10 hours to complete.
Released for VNAM, ‘RVN Starting out’ supports the transition from student to RVN.

RCVS Academy has launched ‘RVN Starting out’; a new course for newly registered veterinary nurses (RVNs), released for this year’s Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM). The course aims to provide consistent, meaningful and personalised support during the transition from student to RVN.

The course can be completed independently or with the support and guidance of a mentor, and has been designed with the RCVS veterinary nursing team. It supports early-career professional development to enable new RVNs to become competent, confident, autonomous members of the practice team.

VN Futures project manager Jill Macdonald said: “The transition from student to RVN is an exciting yet challenging time. Our RVN Starting Out course has been created to support adapting to professional responsibility, optimising workplace learning opportunities and working effectively as part of a team. The course also assists newly registered nurses with building confidence and considering their career development.”

To reflect the responsibilities that veterinary nurses now undertake, the course includes learning on key topics such as reflective practice, workplace culture, quality improvement, clinical decision-making and assertive communication. It is delivered over six modules that can be completed individually and accessed at any time.

Ms McDonald continued: “We understand how busy life as a veterinary nurse can be, and the flexible approach to learning allows nurses to complete the course in an equally flexible manner.”

The course is free and takes approximately 10 hours to complete. It can be accessed via the RCVS Academy.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.