The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) Board of Directors announced the formation of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative Coalition to pursue legislative amendments to establish the credential of Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). The RVN credential would substitute for the titles of Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT).

The coalition is currently defining the legislative strategy and is targeting 2018 for initial legislation reform efforts to begin.

Veterinary technicians throughout the United States have varying credentialing requirements, titles, and scope of practice which can be confusing in the eyes of pet owners. A single title and credential is an effort on the part of NAVTA to improve the level of patient care, align public perceptions of the veterinary nurse, and bring clarity to the field of veterinary medicine.

The Veterinary Nurse Initiative Coalition will work with the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Veterinary State Boards, industry and professional veterinary organizations and legislators to create common terminology, policies and procedures to ease the burden on individual states and associations in governing credentials. The Initiative will start with a handful of states in 2018 and then work with any state interested in these reforms.

According to Heather Prendergast, BS, RVT, CVPM, SPHR and coalition member, “Our goal is to reduce and remove the confusion associated with the designations for a veterinary technician…Once a single designation is established, each state will be able to align with a standardized credential for the profession.”

While the credential change could create some controversy as the coalition moves forward, Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP C/F (emeritus), chief executive officer of AAHA, said the coalition’s success would have a positive outcome. “Anything that promotes a positive image for veterinary technicians as an important part of our profession and anything that raises the perception of that role as a potential career path for future generations is a positive thing from my purview,” he said.

To read the full press release, visit NAVTA’s website.