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The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has embarked upon the most extensive review of its veterinary nursing qualifications for many years, in order to meet the timetable for Ofqual's implementation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) in summer 2010.
The new QCF aims to provide a more user-friendly and flexible system. Under the new arrangements, all qualifications will carry a 'value' in terms of their level and the volume of learning involved. It's a similar system to that used in higher education for a number of years.
The new national awards framework means that NVQs as such will disappear and the process of review opens up the whole qualification structure, allowing for the creation of a more flexible system to suit better the needs of the veterinary nursing profession and employers.
Head of Veterinary Nursing, Libby Earle said: "Future options include potentially placing more of the responsibility for education and basic skills on the colleges, leaving practices to concentrate on providing quality mentorship and work experience, with less emphasis on assessment.
"Consideration will also be given to providing part of VN training and education within full-time further education, which is possible now that the lower age limit for VN students has been dropped."
The College is keen to hear the views of those involved with the delivery of training and employers of qualified nurses. A consultation letter has been sent to those involved and topics on which views are sought include the range and level of knowledge and skills delivered by the current awards, the impact of training on employers of student VNs, meeting the increased demand for qualified VNs, and providing VNs for mixed or equine practices.
Over the summer, evidence-gathering meetings will be held at the RCVS to explore the issues in more depth. Anyone who has not been sent a formal consultation letter and who would like to contribute is very welcome to submit their views. Please visit www.rcvs.org.uk/vnawardsreview for the consultation papers. Comments should be submitted by 30 June 2009.
The review of the RCVS awards will take place alongside Lantra's review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for VNs: the NOS describe what a person needs to do, know and understand in their job to carry out their role in a consistent and competent way.
PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.
I am starting my VN training and start at College one day a week in September after having already been in practice for nearly 5 years.
I find the idea of doing the training on the job very good with attending college just one day a week for the theory side very good but building the portfolio is going to be my hardest challenge i think, matching PCs with scopes etc its all forgeign to me at the mo just hope it soon starts to make sense!
i agree with the extra hands on experience but surely by changeing it just to get more qualified nurses means that they may not have the knowlege to be a qualifed nurse. also i thought the NVQ was desinged for those people who do not want higher education could still gain a qulaification.
I qualified many moons back now , but this sounds very similar to the way the training was carried out back in the seventies! I gained lots of working experience and did day lease. I have to admit it may not have been the perfect way, but I did have plenty of hands on experience when I did qualify.Alot of the newly qualified nurses these days know it all in theory but have had little or no experience of actually doing the job!
i think it is currently the wrong way forward! this will mean we have lees equine nurses as we chose to do equine nursing as we have no desire to do small animal nursing, i feel this move will set the nursing qualification back 5 years to before the equine nursing qualification was created!!! why create this qualification to then take it away and disadvantage the potential, very dedicated and enthused potential equine nurses! I am very proud and honoured to have chosed and completed this rout and feel it will be a huge shame to lose it! i think that anyone with an interest in Equine nursing should stand up and have their say now before it is too late
How would this work then for me as someone who is hoping to start the NVQ route after a two year National Diploma in Animal Management?
Any responses welcome
Chris
In response to JodiLouise's comments if you have achieved Level 2 and been certified then you cannot have that taken away from you, so you have not worked in vain.Regarding assessment there will still be a need for assessment in the workplace and a replacement for the A1 award is being prepared. I do urge everyone to contact the RCVS although the deadline is past and make their views known,funny how these suveys happen in the Summer!When it is a done deal and too late to change, and you don't like it then you only have yourself to blame
i think this would cause a lot of havoc, as I had to stop my training following my first year for financial reasons and I intend to finish next year, providing I can find employment. I would lose the qualification I have gained so far essentially.
Also, a full time further-education course would surely lead to thousands of people (as It would be a very appealing course for many) to opt into doing it without thinking it through and ending up with many students qualified but unable to find a job.
Hurray at last!! Progress!
Our practice opted out of renewing TP status mainly due to the vast amount of time needed to constantly assess students with the dredded portfolio.