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The traditional NVQ 'portfolio' system for student veterinary nurses could be phased out from next summer, under draft proposals from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Awarding Body, which has responsibility for the delivery of VN qualifications.
Proposals include an initial year of full-time college study, during which the student does not need to be employed in a Training Practice (TP), the introduction of compulsory farm animal work experience, the phasing out of the separate Equine Veterinary Nursing qualification and a reduction in practice-based assessment.
The catalyst for reviewing the VN qualification came from Ofqual's plans to introduce the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) from summer next year, which effectively scraps the NVQ in its current form. This gave the RCVS Awarding Body an excellent opportunity to reconsider work-based training for VNs in order to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.
The Awarding Body's proposals, on which comments are invited, aim to reduce bureaucracy for those involved with VN training, increase the number of practices able to take part and improve accessibility of training, ultimately increasing the number of qualified VNs available to the profession.
Under the new proposals, VN work-based training would be a two-year, 70-credit Level 3 qualification, equivalent to 700 hours' learning. The first year of this qualification could be delivered either as a full-time college course, or as a part-time day-release over two years (extending the complete training to three years). The first year would incorporate 25 days' work placement, including small animal, equine and farm animal environments - the first time a compulsory farm animal component has been introduced. This first year of the course could be directly accessed by school leavers, as there is no requirement for them to be employed in a practice.
Students would be employed in a Training Practice for the second 'clinical' year (or third year for part-time students). An online log of practical experience, similar to the Professional Development Phase for new veterinary graduates, would replace the current portfolio, with a more comprehensive end-of-year practical exam. There would no longer be a requirement for practice-based assessors, although students would still need to be supported by an experienced clinical mentor, a role many current assessors may assume.
The economic feasibility of Equine Veterinary Nurse (EVN) training was also considered, with the conclusion that a broader-based primary qualification, with all students carrying out work experience in a range of practice types, was more sustainable.
The number of training practices has long been recognised as a limiting factor in the UK's capacity to train VNs. In addition to standard TPs, proposals have therefore been made for Auxiliary TPs (ATPs). ATPs would be able to employ and train VN students even if they do not have the facilities to provide all of the work experience required: a formal agreement to allow students to fill the gaps at another practice would be in place.
Finally, the proposals include a beefed up range of post-registration education options, allowing Registered Veterinary Nurses to develop, and be recognised, in their own areas of interest. This would help to create a career ladder for RVNs and assist in their retention within the profession.
"The proposals have been developed following a period of consultation with those involved with the delivery of VN training, and with employers," says Jacqui Molyneux, RCVS Council Member and Chairman of the VN Awarding Body.
"Feedback suggests that the current syllabus and training provides competent nurses who are highly regarded within the profession, but that training is overly burdensome for the practices involved. This, coupled with a recognised shortage of both Training Practices and qualified VNs, meant it was appropriate to think more creatively about how the qualification could be delivered. We hope that the draft proposals will be welcomed by both the veterinary nursing and veterinary professions, and would urge people involved to let us know what they think."
The proposals are available on RCVSonline (www.rcvs.org.uk/latestnews ) - please email your comments to Miss Jane Dawson, Project Consultant (jkhdawson@aol.com), by 31 October 2009. It is appreciated that this is a short deadline, however, the time-frame of the QCF is driving development, as is the need to allow colleges and training providers the maximum possible time to develop the new training structure for 2010/11 delivery.
PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.
these proposals will degrade the profession, degree students do lack practical skills and feel these this new framework will land nvq students in the same boat, I feel that entry to the vet nurse qualification should include work experience, to ensure that you are that special kind of person it takes to do our job.
the portfolio is time consuming but if you can get through that then you have definately deserved your qualification!!there must be some way of quality assurance which the portfolio provides whether done through direct obs or caselogs, it shows competence, we have also worked very hard to maintain TP status and allowing any practice to train could lead to poor mentorship from anybody!
I agree that the portfolio needs simplifying, and maybe someone should have a look at Bristol Universities method of assessment using the clinical assessment tool. Taking away the portfolio could be detrimental to our profession and effect the standard and quality of nurses produced.
Prior to becoming a student VN I was a human nurse. Something similar to the RCVS proposals was done in human nursing a few years ago with detrimental consequences for nursing-academically brilliant trained nurses who had little practical experience!
While I agree that the portfolio is over the top and needs simplifing, I can't stress enough the value of hands on, practice based experience.
In the 16 months that I have worked in a TP I have acquired so much practical knowledge. I can't see how you can gain experience in dealing with clients and handling their pets in a college classroom!
As an assessor the thought of less/ no portfolio work is tempting, however I strongly feel that the quality of nurses qualifying will drop dramatically. Veterinary nursing will always be a practical, hands on job. Over the years I have seen qualified degree nurses who have no practical ability and in reverse nurses who try to do the practical side of the job, find they are not competent and choose to go into the full time degree course instead! In my opinion this is a waste of their time as they are unlikely to develop the practical skills required.
I work for a practice which recruits and trains nurses with no prior experience. For some, the reality of the work (emotional, physical and financial) comes as a shock and they choose to rethink their options anbd go down more lucrative avenues. It would be a great shame for potential nurses to spend 1 or 2 years doing their theory only to find that the practical aspects of the job are not for them. I wonder if there will be an entry requirement of a number of weeks work experience at least?
I think this would be fantastic in many way but also bad in others.I would love to have my small animal nursing but also to do the equine nursing as with a yard of 10 horses a deeper knowledge then just 1st aid and nutritional understanding would be very usefull. But i dont think there is much replacement for the case logs, that is where you realise where you need further depth of knowledge, if you cant put it on paper how can you express yourself clearly to impatient vets or owners! I have recently got Distinction pass at ANA from a practice that offered me no help or training whatsoever and i had to fight to get case logs!! Problem is there are no training practices taking on new nurses for training or fully qualified nurses, in the last 2 yrs here i think i have only seen 2 maybe 3 positions for a trainee nurse how can i move ahead? Maybe it would encourage more practices to hire trainees and become TPs if there was only 1 year of training and college costs?
I feel this proposal really waters down the quality of the VN qualification. It seems like regressing to the days of the little green book. I will be submitting my many concerns to the RCVS and urge you all to do so if you feel similarly.
I must encourage all of you to have a look on the RCVS website, read the proposal and send your comments into the RCVS by 31st October. Even if you only have one point to raise, you must do it! To quote a well known phrase, if you dont speak now, forever hold your peace!
These are all valid comments, personally I think a day release after finding a job is the best way as I did many years ago. I think equine,farm and exotics should be covered separately as add on qualifications.
as a student currently doing the dreaded portfolio, i think there is some change needed but dont feel this is the best way to go about it. I know i personally would be a little daunted having to go and do farm work and equine. Ive done the 1st year of the degree and have found that i a few practices i have done some works experience that on the whole they prefer NVQ nurses to degree nurses due to the level of hands on experience that is required in the job. I dont think this new set up gives as much experience as practice's would like... And for student curretly doing the 2006 syllabus does this affect us?
I think this is a good idea for those who currently work in practice that aren't TP's or who are unwilling to train due to NVQ workload etc as they can still train part time and keep their existing job.