Paraveterinary workers in Ireland
Encyclopedia
Veterinary nurses in Ireland are represented by the Irish Veterinary Nursing Association (IVNA) since 2002 and prior to this were represented by the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) from the 1960s. Veterinary nursing became a regulated profession in the State from January 2008 under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005. The title ‘veterinary nurse’ can only be used by those registered with the Veterinary Council. Post-nominal letters used in Ireland are RVN (Registered Veterinary Nurse). A provisional register was created for the purpose of allowing experienced staff working in veterinary practices the opportunity to achieve formal education and qualification. Provisional registration confers the same rights and responsibilities as those on the Register enjoy except that those with provisional registration must have reached the standard required for entry to the Register by the 31 December 2012. Therefore, from January 2008 no individual can legally perform veterinary nursing duties unless listed on the Register or is currently undertaking a course of formal education approved by the Veterinary Council (Ann Marie Byrne, RVN, IVNA Chairperson, 10 mar 2009).
To date, there are three programmes of study which qualify one to become a veterinary nurse in Ireland, each being sanctioned by the Veterinary Council of Ireland
: the 2-year diploma course at St. John's Central College
in Cork, the 3-year ordinary Bachelor of Science degree in Athlone Institute of Technology
and the 4-year higher (honours level) Bachelor of Science degree at University College Dublin
.
To date, there are three programmes of study which qualify one to become a veterinary nurse in Ireland, each being sanctioned by the Veterinary Council of Ireland
Veterinary Council of Ireland
The Veterinary Council of Ireland is a Statutory Body, the principal function which is to regulate and manage the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing in Ireland in the public interest....
: the 2-year diploma course at St. John's Central College
St. John's Central College
St. John's Central College is a further education college in Cork City, in Ireland. The college is administered by the City of Cork VEC.-19th Century:...
in Cork, the 3-year ordinary Bachelor of Science degree in Athlone Institute of Technology
Athlone Institute of Technology
Athlone Institute of Technology is the only higher education institution in the midlands of Ireland. Established in 1970 as Athlone Regional Technical College, it has expanded in size, scope, and influence over the period...
and the 4-year higher (honours level) Bachelor of Science degree at University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
.