Title Qualification / Regulation CPD requirement Scope of practice* Specialisation Challenges

Education
Ireland VN Certificate or Legally regulated at 12 hours / year Exclusions: None available Low wages
degree a national level Diagnosing Under utilisation
Prescribing High rates of attrition
Performing surgery
involving entry into a body
cavity

Some duties require the

direction or supervision of
a veterinary practitioner
New VN Diploma or Not currently 20 hours / year Exclusions: None available Lack of regulation – efforts are being
Zealand or degree regulated Diagnosing made to address this
VT Prescribing
Performing surgery
United VN Diploma or Legally regulated at 15 hours / year (or Defined under ‘schedule 3’ Diplomas in Lack of protection of title
Kingdom degree a national level 35 over 3 years) of the Veterinary Surgeons advanced Shortage of VNs and training
Act. Can perform minor veterinary practices
surgery not involving entry nursing
into a body cavity.
United VT Degree Legally regulated at 8 hours / year Exclusions: 15 areas of Plans are in progress for a change of
States of state level but (average) Diagnosing certified title from VT to VN and then unite
America varies significantly Between 0 and 20 Prescribing specialisation under that single title. Attempts are
from state to state over 2 years Performing surgery also being made to standardise
(average, varies by credentialing requirements and scope
state) Some duties are restricted of practice.
dependant on state
registration Lack of VTs possibly due to:
Burn out
Duties can be carried out Low wages
with varying degrees of Lack of respect / perceived lack of
supervision from a respect.
veterinarian

* In the context of this table ‘scope of practice’ is illustrated by activities that are excluded from a VNs / VTs role. National VN / VT organisations are reluctant to establish
lists of prescribed or permitted tasks since there are so many activities performed by VNs / VTs that could not be captured by such a list.