VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIANS

What is the Veterinary Nurse Initiative?

NAVTA is forming a Veterinary Nurse Initiative coalition to pursue legislative amendments in the 50 states: (1) to establish the credential of Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN); and (2) to substitute the title of Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) for Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT).

NAVTA seeks to unite the profession under a single title, credentialing requirements and scope of practice. Through the standardization and public awareness of the credential, the profession will make strides towards better recognition, mobility  and elevated practice standards, leading to better patient care and consumer protection. 

Why change the current veterinary technician title to Registered Veterinary Nurse?

NAVTA aims to create title alignment within the veterinary field, provide education for veterinarians, paraprofessionals and consumers, and elevate the understanding of roles and responsibilities for patient care by veterinary nurses.

NAVTA will work hand in hand with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), professional veterinary organizations, nurses, and legislators to create common terminology, practice acts, policies and procedures to ease the burden that could be placed on individual states and associations in credential governance.

Veterinary technicians (once known as animal technicians and then animal health technicians) have seen the profession go through many changes over the course of 50 years. Currently, veterinary technicians throughout the United States have varying credentialing requirements, titles and scope of practice with little perceived value-related clarity of their roles in the eyes of the consumer. A single, unified title and a standardized credential throughout the nation is the next step to improve the level of patient care, align public perceptions of the veterinary nurse, and bring clarity to the field of veterinary medicine.

Click on the buttons below to read VALVT's and VVMA's position statements on the VNI:

The VALVT has hired a Lobbyist to help us move the initiative along in Virginia legislatively. Please click on the button below to see what your Association will be accomplishing within the next two years:

Please visit www.veterinarynurse.org or email vetnurse@navta.net for more information, questions, comments or concerns!