BVNA celebrates diamond 60th anniversary since association launch

On 1^st March 2025, The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) will commemorate the 60^th anniversary since its launch. BVNA is calling for its past and present members to provide stories and photos from their time in the veterinary nursing profession – however long or short – to contribute towards the association’s celebration of this milestone year.

BVNA’s early beginnings

Prior to the official recognition of the term ‘veterinary nurse’, the first veterinary nursing qualification and title was ‘Registered Animal Nursing Auxiliary’ (RANA). Following the qualification of the first RANAs in 1963, there was a need to assist and support the profession as it grew. With the support of Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Registrar Alastair Porter, BVNA was launched by a group of dedicated RANAs on 1^st March 1965.

The BVNA’s original aims were to foster and promote the standard of veterinary nursing, and the interest and status of the RANA. However, shortly after the association’s launch, as the title ‘veterinary nurse’ was not yet recognised, BVNA was required to change its name to the ‘British Animal Nursing Auxiliaries Association’ (BANAA). (‘Veterinary nurse’ was finally officially recognised from 1984, allowing the association to revert back to BVNA in January 1985.)

Representing the veterinary nursing profession of today

Today, BVNA takes the voice of its membership to the highest level, having long called for reform of the outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act to include statutory protection of the ‘veterinary nurse’ title. Working towards this goal, BVNA currently forms part of a core working group led by UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), also made up of representatives from the RCVS, BVA, Vet Schools Council and wider government departments. To ensure that veterinary nurses are effectively represented within this work, BVNA has formed its own independent working group, gaining feedback from its members working across a variety of sectors and roles within the veterinary nursing profession. BVNA’s working group meets in parallel with the association’s engagement with Defra; discussing and providing feedback on the legislative issues raised, and seeking a positive impact for the veterinary nursing profession and animal welfare.

The first BANAA Newsletter was published in September 1970, sharing news and information amongst the profession and the wider RANA profession. Now spearheaded by Editor-in-Chief Nikki Ruedisueli RVN, BVNA is proud to independently publish its own membership publication, the Veterinary Nursing Journal (VNJ). The VNJ recently underwent a digital transformation providing an enhanced reader experience, while improving the environmental sustainability of the publication. The journal continues to evolve to meet the needs of the veterinary nursing profession; providing peer-reviewed evidence-based articles in an innovative, accessible and interactive format.

A highlight of the veterinary nursing calendar is also the annual BVNA Congress, which first took place in 1973 at the Hotel Russell in London, before moving to Berkshire College in 1974. The event was originally a one-day event providing lectures and a commercial exhibition, for the first time solely to RANAs. BVNA has recently celebrated its 50^th anniversary BVNA Congress in 2023, welcoming over 1,500 visitors to Telford International Centre – and consistently delivers the UK’s biggest dedicated event for RVNs, SVNs, and VCAs.

Amongst its extensive range of membership benefits, in 1999 BVNA introduced a members advisory service, offering non-judgemental and confidential advice. The service provides assistance to support veterinary nurses throughout their career; on employment law, financial matters and a wide range of other legal concerns – and currently averages around 700 minutes of support per month to BVNA members.

Message from BVNA President, Lyndsay Hughes

“As BVNA celebrates its 60th year of championing the veterinary nursing profession, we’re also celebrating all our members past and present who have enabled us to ensure that BVNA stands stronger today than ever before. We never forget that we are standing on the shoulders of a great number of passionate and motivated veterinary nurses who have tirelessly driven the association forwards. The veterinary nursing profession has progressed beyond all recognition in the past 60 years, and with it, BVNA has continued to adapt and grow to meet what our profession needs from its representative body.

“Whilst 1^st March is BVNA’s official 60^th birthday, we look forward to celebrating this milestone year with veterinary nurses everywhere throughout 2025 – including an extra-special Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month in May, and BVNA Congress taking place 10^th – 12^th October. It is such a privilege to be leading BVNA during this significant year in the association’s history.”

All at BVNA would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to all of its members, past and present, who have helped the association to stand the test of time to reach this incredible milestone. BVNA invites its members to get in touch at bvna@bvna.co.uk with any photos or stories to be shared during its diamond 60^th year celebrations.