A New Standard for Veterinary Care.
The Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) credential embodies the visibility, respect, and recognition veterinary technicians deserve.
Standardized Requirements
Scope of Practice
Title Protection
Goals of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative
The current veterinary technician credentials and credentialing systems, which vary state to state, have led to confusion for the veterinary consumer and within the veterinary profession of the important role our profession plays on the veterinary health care team.
Professional Standards
Promoting a standard credential with educational standards in the US.
01 / 04
Public Recognition
Establishing professional identity through public education and title recognition to contribute to public safety/protection
02 / 04
Professional Recognition
Clarifying the value, scope of practice, and title, delineating the credentialed veterinary technician/nurse role
03 / 04
Expanding Career Potentials
Defining the role of our profession in all areas of practice to maximize potentials
04 / 04
Veterinary technicians are vital to the veterinary profession.
Yet, many technicians are leaving the profession because the of the issues they face:
Low Wages
Lack of Respect
Compassion Fatigue
Devaluing of Credential
Underutilization
Lack of Reciprocity
That’s why the NAVTA National Credential Task Force recommends Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) be adopted as the standard credential for veterinary technicians. This initiative will assure the highest quality care, improve public relations, and enhance the sustainability of our profession.
Industry Partners of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative
Thank you to the many sponsors and industry partners who support the VNI cause.
Our Amazing Sponsors
The Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) and Veterinary Medical Technology Program (LMU VMTP) supports the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI) and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) in the pursuit of the establishment of a national credential of Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). Efficient use of veterinary technicians enhances the entire veterinary medical profession. As a long-standing leader in the education of veterinary technician students and a continued supporter of...
Harcum College and the Carcum College Veterinary Nursing Program support the effort of NAVTA to unite the profession under a single title, credentialing requirement and scope of practice. As of January 2019, Harcum College has adopted the name Veterinary Nursing Program for its offering formerly known as the Veterinary Technology Program. This is an important first step in a process that will clarify the role of our graduates to the public, and safeguard animal...