An Introduction to the Veterinary Nurse Initiative and Where It’s Heading An Interview with Pennsylvania’s Veterinary Nursing Program Directors The Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI) was introduced by The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) in 2017 based on the results of the 2016 NAVTA Demographics Survey.1 The initiative has four goals aimed on creating national standards for credentialing, improving public and professional recognition for this essential role in the clinic team, and improving career longevity through providing opportunities for advancement. According to Kathy Koar, MSEd, CVT, Program Director of Harcum College Veterinary Nursing Program and Co-Chair of the PVMA’s VNI Taskforce, “There’s so much that we can do with the VNI to help the profession of veterinary medicine as a whole.” GOALS OF THE VNI 1. Professional Standards Two of the most significant challenges faced by credentialed veterinary technicians are due to the lack of a national standard. Every state has a unique path to credentialing veterinary technicians, some of which do not require a degree or standardized examination. This makes moving from state to state particularly challenging as a license in one state may not easily transfer to a new location. Additionally, credentialed technicians can have one of several titles, depending on where they received their degree and credentials. These currently include CVT, LVT, RVT, and LVMT. Though these credentials are equivalent, multiple acronyms increase confusion within the profession. While many terms have been proposed, the most popular choice for standardization is Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). 2. Public Recognition It is essential that we establish a professional identity within society. Improved public awareness and recognition of our role in the veterinary setting benefits everyone. The term veterinary technician, which has been in use for decades, remains misunderstood by the general public. The terms technician and technology are most commonly associated with information technology or service/repair in our current culture. But everyone understands the term veterinary nurse – there is an automatic visual image of someone doing patient care, which represents the role of the majority of CVTs. Clients will process that a trained veterinary professional is taking care of their animal, which engenders both appreciation and respect. 3. Professional Recognition There is a need to clarify and standardize the scope of practice within our own profession. Credentialed veterinary nurses/
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technicians can increase profitability for veterinary practices if they are utilized fully. Veterinary assistants have a more limited scope of practice under the law and stricter requirements for supervision. Delineating these roles will improve animal care and provide the veterinarian increased flexibility to attend to tasks specific to their role. 4. Expand Career Potential According to the 2016 NAVTA survey, 57% of respondents had changed jobs within the first 5-7 years of becoming a veterinary nurse/technician.1 Increased employment opportunities for credentialed veterinary nurses/technicians that provide the ability to grow and advance within the profession, and which provide a salary commensurate with education/licensing, will improve longevity and job satisfaction. Recently, PVMA staff sat down with the program directors of Pennsylvania’s three veterinary nursing programs to discuss the VNI. This is what they had to say:
Kathy Koar, MSEd, CVT, Program Director of Harcum College Veterinary Nursing Program and Co-Chair of the PVMA’s VNI Taskforce
Tammy Ege, CVT, MS Assistant Professor of Veterinary Medical Technology Director of Veterinary Nursing
Kimberly Konopka, BS, AS, CVT, ESMT Program Director of the Veterinary Nursing Program Johnson College
