August 2018

Ensuring an ethically sound study proposal

Alison Devonshire, of the RCVS Ethics Review Panel, discusses the fascinating facet of research in the VN sphere, before guiding nurses through how to make an ethical study proposal – especially if not affiliated with an academic institution.

17 mins
Dog lungworm infection: VN role in improving management

Hany Elsheikha describes manifestations of angiostrongylosis in canines and strategies VNs can share with owners for preventing the mollusc-borne disease.

29 mins

July 2018

VN Times calendar competition

The annual VN Times calendar competition returns for 2018 with the theme of “Out and about”, so submit your photos of animals in the great outdoors for the chance to win a £1,000 Amazon gift card.

6 mins
VN Futures: stating a case for investment in nurses’ skill sets

RVNs play an invaluable role, yet are increasingly harder to recruit, and arguably harder to retain, than vets. For practices to remain successful, recognising, rewarding and developing VNs is no longer an optional extra ...

17 mins
What could future VN day be like?

Paul Imrie reports on a BSAVA Congress session by Liz Cox, chairman of RCVS VN council and a co-chairman of the RCVS/BVNA VN Futures project, where she described her vision of the nursing role in 2025.

20 mins
The importance of pre-purchase nurse clinics – the missing piece?

As brachycephalic breeds are becoming more popular, but rising numbers are also being taken to rehoming centres, Laura Richards suggests if VNs can use their rapport with clients to educate them via pre-purchase consultations.

12 mins
Aural disease in rabbits – lop-eared welfare repercussions

Abigail Edis looks at the impact and conditions breeding this physical trait can have on lagomorph health.

30 mins
Curious creatures coax VNs to event

VN Times editor Holly Kernot reports on the latest Association of Zoo and Exotic Veterinary Nurses conference, held at West Midland Safari Park and hailed “the best yet”.

6 mins
Preparing for an RCVS PSS assessment

Scott Parry shares his experience of participating in the Practice Standards Scheme evaluation process and offers top tips for those preparing for the big day.

17 mins

This month's Practice Champions sees us team up with Bayer Animal Health, while Kerry Lambert discusses what she and her colleagues do to promote parasiticide compliance among their clients.

9 mins
VN Voice: my first year on BVNA council

RVN Gareth McCormack reflects on his councillor experience so far, the joy of representing VNs everywhere and work behind the scenes.

7 mins
Fleas, ticks and worms: learning from owner experience

Hany Elsheikha discusses how economy, age and compliance – as well as potential treatment resistance, and drug reactions and interactions – play a part in how to approach pet owners on parasite management in companion animals.

39 mins
Choose your own path

Decision making can often fill us with fear; however, without it, wouldn't life just be dull and unsatisfying? In her latest foreword, VN Times editor Holly Kernot discusses the freedom of being able to chart your own career course.

4 mins
Heading up VNs with honour

Helen Tottey, RVN and VN Times editorial board member, summarises and shares her thoughts on the College of Animal Welfare Head Nurse Congress 2018, which – fittingly – took place during Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month.

11 mins
Nursing notes: paediatric patients

This month, Louise discusses the many challenges paediatric patients can pose, but also reveals the deep joy a successful nursing outcome can bring.

13 mins

June 2018

Embrace change

Change – is it good or bad? In her first foreword since taking the reins as VN Times editor, Holly Kernot discusses the changes going on all around us – personal and professional – and the exciting times of her editorship ahead.

5 mins
Allergic disease clinics – how to set up and run them

Emma Gerrard DipAVN(SA), DipHECVN, BSc(Hons), CVN, RVN, K-SQP, PHC, advises on how to offer an allergy clinic to support dermatology patients with skin diseases – a common problem in small animal veterinary practice.

25 mins
Customer experience and compliance

Helen Tottey RVN, explains the important link between positive pet owner practice visits and compliance, and how improving one can boost the other.

27 mins

In the latest in our Practice Champions series, we team up with Ceva Animal Health and hear from Stephanie Barnard-Horne DipVN, RVN, ISFMCertFN, FnD(WVA), from Oxford Cat Clinic on high blood pressure in feline patients and the ease of measuring it.

15 mins
Clamping down on canine ear cropping

Shakira Miles RVN, BSc, voices her strong feelings around importation of dogs that have had their ears cut off, how it is fuelling a fashionable trend among owners and how VNs can help make a difference.

23 mins