A campaign to make “registered veterinary nurse” the standard title and credential in the U.S. veterinary technician field has three corporate sponsors.
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) reported Oct. 16 that Banfield Pet Hospital, Royal Canin USA and BluePearl Veterinary Partners have endorsed the Veterinary Nurse Initiative.
A coalition is working with legislators in all 50 states to create a nationwide registered veterinary nurse (RVN) designation. A hodgepodge of state laws means that veterinary technicians, depending on their location, now carry titles ranging from “certified” (CVT) or “licensed” (LVT) to “registered” (RVT) or “licensed veterinary medical technician” (LVMT).
Using “nurse” instead of “technician” would help correct the misconception in some clients’ eyes that technicians play a minor role in veterinary medicine.
“The endorsement by these industry leaders demonstrates just how important we are to a hospital, our colleagues and the communities in which we serve as professionals in veterinary nursing,” said initiative co-chairman Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM).
Royal Canin’s chief veterinary officer, Brent Mayabb, DVM, echoed Yagi.
“The amount of training veterinary technicians receive builds their knowledge and skills in many areas, from patient care to radiography to nutrition,” Dr. Mayabb said. “With this extensive training and their commitment to the profession, we fully support the NAVTA-led Veterinary Nurse Initiative to recognize the value veterinary technicians bring to pets and to the veterinary team.”
Getting all states to agree to the RVN label could take several years, NATVA leaders say.