Veterinary nurse training to be computerised

Candidates undergoing their veterinary nursing written examinations from summer 2008 will carry out the tests on computer, according to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

In a recent meeting, the RCVS council agreed to proposals put forward by the RCVS Awarding Body, the manager of the training scheme.

Neil Smith, RCVS Awarding Body management board chairman, commented: “Previously, everyone had to come to one of only a few RCVS exam centres on a specific day.

“Now they can choose a date, time and venue to suit themselves – most candidates will be within 20 miles of a test centre.”

He added that this would improve the examination throughout the sector.

Under the new rules, candidates’ portfolios must now be 100 per cent complete to allow enrolment in the practical exam, compared to the previous requirement of 60 per cent.

The RCVS is the regulatory body for vet surgeons in the UK.