The Paragon Veterinary Group became an approved training centre (ATAC) in 1994. The standards required achieving this status concentrate predominately on the range of equipment and the variety of procedures undertaken within the practice, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) enforces these standards.

In 1999 the RCVS, awarding body, developed and piloted a new scheme in the form of a NVQ (national vocational qualification), the aim was to set a recognised national standard for competence within the industry, similar to many other occupations. Public funding is available for NVQ training; this funding provided extensive subsidies for college based veterinary nurse training, which enables students to receive substantial reductions in enrolment and examination fees.

 The RCVS require that all ATAC’s must join one of the new VNAC (veterinary nursing approved centre) by July 2002 to gain TP (training practice) Approval. The VNAC; s are organisations approved by the RCVS to manage veterinary nurse training and assessment. Most VNAC’s are colleges or larger groups of veterinary practices. Our VNAC is Myerscough College, Preston; they are responsible for providing training and assessment for our practice.

To maintain our veterinary nurse training status we had to become a TP (training practice).

An inspector from our VNAC arranged to visit the practice to confirm that our facilities and workload met the required standard for veterinary nurse training. We were awarded our TP approval in June 2002.

The practice will have 2 yearly inspections by the VNAC’s internal assessor to ensure the standards are being maintained and to assist with training methods to help the student nurse.

A TP must have a qualified assessor, usually a veterinary surgeon or a qualified nurse, they are responsible for assessing and supporting the trainee. Karen Richardson VN is the practice assessor; she has undergone a training course and is expected to attend assessor support meetings approximately 3 times a year. Karen provides regular feedback to the internal verifier from the VNAC on the progress of the student. The VNAC verifier assesses the given information and checks it meets the expected standards and that the assessment is fair and consistent.

To maintain our training status is expensive and time consuming, however by offering training we feel there are direct benefits from the student nurse’s contribution to the practice.

• TP’s have obligations to ensure their workload; equipment and facilities are maintained at the RCVS approved standard.

• Nursing staff are able to deliver a consistent and high quality of service.

• Veterinary nurse training within the practice encourages other members of staff to keep up to date with relevant knowledge and skills to support the student.

• The recognition of a good practice