The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Congress is an annual three-day event dedicated to the veterinary nursing profession, taking place this year between Friday 11th – Sunday 13th October 2024 at Telford International Centre. BVNA has now launched its full Congress CPD programme, containing over 120 hours of CPD and providing more interactive and hands-on learning than ever before.
This year’s theme of ‘Progression’ will inspire reflections on how far the profession has come, as well as enable blue-sky conversations of where it could go in the future.
Register via the BVNA website before Wednesday 31st July 2024 to save up to £175!
Progression
Responding to delegate and member feedback, BVNA has curated brand new streams and content for 2024, in recognition of the ever-evolving career pathways shaped by veterinary nurses. Amongst these new features, the headline stream of ‘Progression’ takes place each morning – with the aims of inspiring veterinary nurses to recognise their own value, promoting longevity in the profession, and advancing commercial understanding. Delegates will be armed with the knowledge and confidence to make positive progress – whether in the context of their own careers, amongst their team, or within veterinary businesses and wider industry.
Each morning encompasses a different area of ‘Progression’:
- Making veterinary nursing a sustainable and progressive career
- Leadership
- Finance and business
Keynote Speaker
BVNA is delighted to be joined by keynote speaker, Marie Rippingale, who is perfectly placed to speak on the subject of ‘Progression of the veterinary nursing profession – where are we now and where are we going?’. Marie is a registered equine veterinary nurse who has tirelessly championed the potential of the equine RVN role throughout her career, and especially so in her current capacity as chair of the recently formed BEVA Equine Nurses Committee. Marie will be delivering the keynote lecture on Saturday 12th October.
Over twenty streams dedicated to veterinary nurses
BVNA’s diverse programme highlights the significant impact veterinary nurses have on all areas of professional practice, providing powerful learning opportunities across a variety of topics:
- Emergency and critical care
- Anaesthesia and analgesia
- One Health
- Feline nursing
- Student
- Behaviour
- Exotics, zoo and wildlife
- Nutrition
- QI & Audit
- …along with so much more!
Referral Nursing
Brand new for 2024, BVNA’s ‘Referral nursing’ stream provides learning opportunities for those working in more specific areas of veterinary practice. Whether your interests lie within oncology, neurology, advanced diagnostic procedures or medical nursing – you’ll have the opportunity to build on your confidence and knowledge specific to a referral setting.
Primary care and first opinion nursing
BVNA will champion the GP veterinary nurse by including dedicated content for those working in first opinion practice. Highlighting the diverse range of skills and knowledge needed to work in primary care, the programme includes sessions on nurse clinics, utilisation of ultrasound, transfusion medicine, and nursing management of patients with spinal disease.
Veterinary Care Assistants
The key role of VCAs within the veterinary team will also be celebrated, building delegates’ confidence in a range of areas of patient care. Understand more about how anatomy and physiology links to patient monitoring, plus learn the fundamentals to support in patient first aid and medical care. Remember that VCAs are also welcome in any of the other sessions while visiting too.
VN Futures at BVNA Congress
Whilst working in a busy and pressured environment, communication in the veterinary workplace can be challenging at times – whether ensuring smooth and clear interactions with colleagues, requesting a salary review from management, or discussing care with clients. Join the Communication stream delivered by VN Futures, to be equipped with the skills to navigate challenging conversations with confidence.
VN Futures workshops will also ask delegates what they think, or hope, veterinary nursing will look like in 2035 – in areas such as education and training, the structure of delivery of care, what veterinary nurses can do, and practice culture. The sessions will explore how positive changes for the professions might be achieved and the steps that need to be taken along the way.
Practical Learning
One of the most popular features of BVNA Congress, a selection of varied hands-on workshops will be on offer – ensure you remember to add your workshop booking when you register.
This year’s workshops include:
- Wound management
- Practical tools to support yourself and your colleagues with neurodiversity
- Massage and passive range of motion skills
- CPR
- Haematology and biochemistry
You can also visit our practical zone in the Exhibition Hall, for free-of-charge, hands-on skills teaching. No booking is required, simply visit the ‘BVNA Veterinary Hospital’ during exhibition opening hours!
Plus – join Burtons for dedicated clinical teaching and product demonstration zones, throughout Friday 11th and Saturday 12th October.
The veterinary nursing event of the year
Join us to feel inspired, empowered and energised as part of the veterinary nursing profession. BVNA members get a special rate, discounted even further by booking at the current early bird rate ending on Wednesday 31 July. For more information and to register, visit the BVNA website.
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