A new nursing career pathway has been developed by CVS Group with the aim of demonstrating clear career progression for nurses across its first opinion, referral and equine practices.
The objective is to show the opportunity of a lifelong career and support clinical leaders who are conversing with nurses about their development.
In addition to giving structure to CVS’ nursing careers, the pathway shows the opportunity to progress through either clinical or team leadership and how nurses can move into management roles – either in practice or within the wider CVS Group.
Behind each level in the pathway sits a curriculum of learning, which starts at the crucial stage of being newly qualified and then moves into three clinical activity levels. Level 3 nurses, for example, would regularly undertake advanced schedule 3 nursing procedures, such as tail amputations, mass removals and diagnostics, such as MRI and ultrasound.
Beyond this, there are opportunities to become a CVS clinical or team lead, reflecting the direction of the nurse’s careers, with the former leading a defined area of clinical practice and the latter responsible for line managing some of the nursing team.
In CVS multi-disciplinary hospitals and practices, there will also be a new nurse manager role responsible for managing a larger team.
Tara Ryan, chief veterinary nursing officer, said: “There are so many good reasons to provide structure and clarity around nursing careers.
“The nursing career progression will enhance the role of the RVN in our practices and ensure we use the skills of our nurses. It should give vets more confidence when delegating to nurses, enabling nurses to do more for clients, whether consulting or procedures.
“Most importantly, it will support nurses in taking the direction they want to take in their careers. There are multiple options for nurses to progress within CVS – whether in practice, procurement, client services or learning, education and development. It means nurses can truly have a life-long career at CVS.”
To launch the new pathway, briefings have been held with CVS leaders about the new pathway, and dedicated information packs have been distributed to all practice leaders for cascade to nurses.
CVS has practices of varying sizes and structures, and not all the roles will be available everywhere, but opportunities will exist throughout the group.
CVS Group operates across small animal, farm animal, equine, laboratories and crematoria, with over 500 veterinary practices, referral centres and sites in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands. In the last five years, the company has invested nearly £80 million in its sites, facilities and equipment, in addition to industry-leading training and support, to give the best possible care to animals.
