Once you are in the position of a registered veterinary nurse, you might wonder how else you can develop your skills and knowledge to further your career. In this blog, we outline some of the key further qualifications for veterinary nurses at an undergraduate and graduate level.
What further qualifications are available for veterinary nurses?
After you have registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) as a veterinary nurse, you will obtain your badge. To stay registered with the RCVS, however, nurses actually have to complete 15 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) a year. This is the process of continually maintaining, improving and broadening your skills and knowledge.
This can be done formally through attending conferences and online courses or informally in everyday practice with research and reflection. One route for those who are looking to obtain further qualifications, however, are the below courses. We have outlined the main options for post-registration and post-graduate qualifications.
Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP)
This is an opportunity to acquire a veterinary postgraduate qualification and the RCVS certificate allows you to design your course by choosing a selection of manageable modules. The modules will then be assessed by an RCVS accredited university but there will be an option to choose ‘assessment only’.
RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (DipAVN)
The Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing is an advanced professional qualification awarded by the RCVS to registered veterinary nurses and is available at undergraduate level. You can be awarded in either small animal nursing, equine nursing or veterinary nursing education according to the modules you pick. The scheme is designed to be flexible, allowing you to study at your own pace and choose clinical modules to reflect your interests.
RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (CertAVN)
The CertAVN is available to all registered veterinary nurses who qualified through either further education or higher education – it is available at graduate level. The certificate covers a wide range of subject areas and those who undertake it will have the opportunity to develop their training in niche areas of their choosing.
Why should you consider further qualifications as a veterinary nurse?
Veterinary nurses are expected to continue learning and keep their knowledge up to date and these graduate and postgraduate further qualifications are a fantastic way to do just that.
They can also help when it comes to career opportunities as having an additional qualification might give you the edge over another candidate as it shows your commitment to your career and to learning! This increases your value as a potential employee as you will be viewed as highly-trained and competent.
Above all, though, it’s a great way to pursue your personal interests in the nursing field and develop knowledge that will be of value to you, as well as the qualifications to demonstrate that knowledge.
If you have any questions about undertaking additional qualifications as a veterinary nurse and how they might relate to your employability, you are welcome to get in touch.