The RCVS Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has awarded £20,000 to a research project investigating whether there is adequate mental health education in the student veterinary nursing curriculum.

The funding comes from the MMI Sarah Brown Mental Health Research Grant, which was established in 2019 in memory of former RCVS Council Member Sarah Brown, who passed away in 2017. This grant is dedicated to supporting research focused on the mental health and wellbeing of veterinary professionals.

Previous grants have supported a variety of research topics, such as the mental health effects of racism, moral injury, farm veterinarian mental health, stress factors in autistic veterinarians, and the impact of online compassionate imagery interventions.

This year’s grant recipients, Dr. Faye Didymus and Dr. Jackie Hargreaves from Leeds Beckett University, are set to explore how mental health and well-being is integrated into the learning paths of SVNs. This will be done through a scoping review of mental health education during student veterinary nursing curricula. It is hoped this will culminate in a set of evidence-based recommendations for how mental health education for veterinary nursing students could be enhanced.

The project will include interviews with educators, student nurses, and practicing veterinary nurses to gauge their experiences and exposure to mental health education. Dr Didymus and Dr Hargreaves are running a virtual webinar on Tuesday 23 April (10.30am-11.30am) through MMI, to outline their research findings to date and give attendees the chance to contribute to the second phase of their research.

The webinar will be taking place via zoom on Tuesday 23 April from 10:30am to 11:30am, and anyone interested in finding out more or contributing to the research can sign up to the webinar by visiting the MMI website events page.

More information about the grant recipients and the project can be found on the RCVS news and views page.

Applications are now open for the Vets Now Ethnic Diversity Nursing Scholarship.

The scholarship programme is part of their wider commitment to supporting ethnic diversity across the veterinary profession. Successful candidates will be awarded an annual grant of £2,500 for the duration of their course, mentoring from the Vets Now ethnic diversity scholarship board members and a support network to help them through their studies. 

In order to apply for the scholarship, you must be a UK or EU citizen who self-identifies as being from an ethnic minority, and applying to enter one of the UK or ROI nursing colleges on a course accredited with the RCVS as a ‘licence to practice’ in veterinary nursing for this years’ intake.

Your family’s financial background will be considered during the application process, and you will be asked to submit proof of this as assessed by Student Finance, with priority given to students from lower-income families.

All applications must be completed and received in full by 31st May 2024. 

You can find out more and apply for the scholarship programme here.

We’re thrilled to announce a new, three year delivery option for our Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing programme, which is open to applications from those who are not already employed in a veterinary practice.

How does it work?

Duration: 3 years

In years 1 and 3, you will undertake lessons on a day release basis either by coming into college for classroom tuition, or by studying remotely via online lessons in our virtual classroom (depending on which centre you choose to study from). In addition, you will be required to spend one additional day per week working through online course materials with up to a further six hours per week developing your practical skills using a virtual reality headset.

During year 2 of the programme, you will undertake a full-time unpaid work placement in an RCVS approved veterinary practice. You will undertake 40 hours per week for 45 weeks of placement across the 52 weeks.

What are the benefits of training as a non-employed student?

✓ No employment required to apply

In order to apply for the programme, non-employed applicants require two weeks of work experience in a veterinary environment, and a reference from an RVN/Vet surgeon to support your application (in addition to meeting the academic entry requirements).

✓ Study around your existing commitments

When you are not undertaking college lessons, online learning or practical skills training in years 1 and 3, you are able to undertake casual work (working in any type of employment) to financially support yourself during the programme.

✓ Support in finding a work placement

Our dedicated placement team will use connections with over 700 veterinary practices to source an unpaid placement for your second year of training.

✓ Minimal college attendance required

If you choose to complete your weekly lessons remotely in our virtual classrooms, you will only need to attend your local satellite centre for approximately ten days per year for practical training sessions, minimising travel time and costs.

✓ Fast track your studies with paid employment

If you find paid employment as a student veterinary nurse within your first year of training, you may be able to transfer to our two-year programme for employed students in year two.

Where can I study as a non-employed student?

We deliver this programme from centres located throughout the UK, including: Basildon, Bodmin, County Durham, Derby, Chorleywood, Edinburgh, Guernsey, Horsham, Huntingdon, Leeds, North London, Solihull, Wigan and Stoke-on-Trent.

Find your nearest centre

Virtual Open Evening – Veterinary Nursing (Wednesday 8 May 2024, 7pm-8pm)

This open evening is specifically for those interested in studying the Level 3 Diploma / Level 3 Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing at one of the following centres: Basildon, Bodmin, Chorleywood, County Durham, Derby, Edinburgh, Guernsey, Horsham, Lichfield, Solihull, Stoke-on-Trent or Wigan.

During this online event, you will have the opportunity to hear from some of our tutors, learn more about our veterinary nursing diploma and apprenticeships (both companion animal and equine) and ask any questions you may have about training with us. We will be covering:

• An introduction to our satellite centres
• What is blended virtual learning and how is the course is delivered?
• Study options for both non-employed and employed students
• Course content and assessment methods
• Entry requirements
• Fees and finance options

Please register to let us know you’ll be joining us, and so we can send you the attendance link. We can’t wait to virtually meet you!

Register for our Virtual Open Evening

The College of Animal Welfare is due to be reassessed against the Matrix Standards, which are a set of internationally recognised benchmarks that evaluate the quality of information, advice, and guidance services.

IAG, or Information, Advice, and Guidance, is crucial for helping people make informed decisions about their education, careers, and personal development.

The assessment will take place from 15-18 April and may involve student and employer meetings with the assessor.

There are several benefits to working towards the standards:

1. Quality assurance: The Matrix Standard provides a framework for colleges to assess and assure the quality of their information, advice, and guidance services. Completing the Matrix Standard demonstrates a commitment to maintaining high standards in IAG provision.
2. Continuous improvement: The process of completing the Matrix Standard involves self-assessment and external assessment. This can help colleges identify areas of strength and areas that may need improvement. It provides a basis for ongoing development and enhancement of IAG services.
3. Enhanced services for students: By adhering to the Matrix Standard, colleges can ensure students receive accurate, timely, and effective information and guidance. This, in turn, contributes to the overall satisfaction and success of students in their educational journey.
4. Alignment with best practices: The Matrix Standard is often considered a benchmark for best practices in IAG. Completing the standard ensures that colleges are aligning their services with recognised industry standards and benchmarks.

Find out more about the Matrix Standard