APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION OF advanced veterinary nurses

Advanced Veterinary Nurse recognition acknowledges that modern veterinary practice requires veterinary nurses and technologist to possess and utilise higher level degrees of knowledge, skill development, and competence.

This category has a clear application pathway and formally acknowledges veterinary nurses and technologist who have demonstrated a higher level of knowledge and skills determined by their level of education and practical experience. It sets a standardised benchmark when performing acts of veterinary medicine, with specific supervision requirements, maintaining the standards of patient care and safety within the profession.

The Advanced Veterinary Nurse - Restricted category of recognition was introduced as an interim measure to recognise experienced veterinary nurses actively working in practice who have gained advanced knowledge and skills through informal education and experience but do not hold formal higher-level qualifications at this time. Under the conditions applied in this category of recognition, this allows them the opportunity to practice acts of veterinary medicine (Veterinary Practice Regulations 2022 - Schedule 4) at the advanced level while encouraging further educational opportunities in the future which would then enable them to apply for recognition as an Advanced Veterinary Nurse.

ADVANCED VETERINARY NURSE REGISTRATION GUIDELINES AND FAQ 

Advanced Veterinary Nurse – Full Recognition 
APPLICATION FORM

To qualify for this a general veterinary nurse must:

• Possess a qualification at Diploma or Bachelor level that is approved by the Board – see Appendix A (this is not an exhaustive list).
• Provide a declaration from a supervising veterinarian stating that they have the competency and skills to perform or be trained in the advanced veterinary nurse acts of veterinary medicine.

Advanced Veterinary Nurse – Student
APPLICATION FORM

Students currently enrolled in a higher level qualification that will qualify them for full AVN recognition on graduation (Appendix A) may apply for AVN-S recognition which will allow them to perform all of the acts of veterinary medicine that an AVN can perform under the personal supervision of a veterinarian.

To qualify for this a general veterinary nurse must: 

• Provide proof that they are enrolled in a qualification that is approved by the Board for full recognition as an advanced veterinary nurse– see Appendix A.
• Provide a declaration from a supervising veterinarian stating that they have the competency and skills to perform or be trained in the advanced veterinary nurse acts of veterinary medicine.

There is no cost associated with this application however this type of registration is only valid while you are enrolled in the approved course you list in your application. Upon completion of the course, to continue to practise as an Advanced Veterinary Nurse you must apply for full recognition as an Advanced Veterinary Nurse as well as hold registration as a general veterinary nurse.

Approved applicants will not be permitted to use the term “Advanced Veterinary Nurse” or any other grammatical form or abbreviation.

Advanced Veterinary Nurse – Restricted
APPLICATION FORM

To qualify for this a general veterinary nurse must

• Possess a qualification Certificate IV in veterinary nursing or recognised equivalent;
• Have been registered as a general veterinary nurse and worked in veterinary clinical practice for at least five years.

• Provide a declaration from the veterinary supervisor of the clinic stating that they have the competency and skills to perform or be trained in initially up to three of the advanced veterinary nurse acts of veterinary medicine that only AVNs may perform. The initial total of three includes any changes to performing acts of veterinary medicine at the AVN supervision level.
• The veterinary supervisor MUST provide justification as to why it is necessary for the applicant to perform the specified AVN acts of veterinary medicine or be permitted to perform the acts of veterinary medicine at the level of supervision of an AVN at their practice.

Approval will only be given to perform the AVN acts of veterinary medicine at the supervising veterinarian’s practice however once approved, ANY veterinarian at the practice may supervise the Advanced Veterinary Nurse - Restricted

Approved applicants will not be permitted to use the term “Advanced Veterinary Nurse” or any other grammatical form or abbreviation.

Once they are trained and have demonstrated competency in the initial procedures for they may apply for further procedures.