10 Sept 2019
Vets and vet nurses who qualified outside the EU have been welcomed into the RCVS during a special ceremony held at Belgravia House in London.
Holly Kernot
Job Title
Niall Connell with the successful attending candidates.
Vet nurses and vets who trained overseas have been welcomed to the RCVS by president Niall Connell.
More than 30 vet nurses and 8 vets gathered at the RCVS offices in Belgravia House, London, on 2 September for a special ceremony, where they made their professional declarations in front of family, friends and RCVS chief executive Lizzie Lockett.
These new VNs and vets needed to pass certain examinations to practise in the UK, as they qualified outside the EU and/or do not hold RCVS-recognised veterinary or veterinary nursing qualifications.
It was the first time vets and RVNs have attended the same ceremony, with overseas-trained nurses having previously been invited to register on VN Day at ZSL London Zoo.
VNs needed to pass the RCVS VN pre-registration examination – a practical examination containing a range of clinical skills, all of which are taken from the RCVS day one skills for veterinary nurses.
Successful VN candidate Monica Hall, who had recently moved back to the UK from Australia, said: “It was lovely to be at the ceremony – it was quite emotional. I felt very proud.”
Vets wishing to join the register needed to pass the RCVS statutory membership examination, which consists of written papers and clinical, practical examinations.
New MRCVS, Frances Pia Marriot Mateluna from Chile, said: “I am really proud of myself, because the exam is very hard and there can be a lot of ups and downs.
“It’s really nice to be able to say that we can start the next chapter of our lives.”
Prof Connell said: “It takes a lot of determination and preparation to pass these exams, and it was incredibly humbling for me to have the opportunity to welcome the successful vets and vet nurses to the registers.
“It has been a great ceremony – truly inspiring.”
