The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) has said that an Italy-based online veterinary nursing course is not recognised for the purpose of registration as a veterinary nurse in Ireland.
The VCI, which is the statutory body in Ireland for regulating veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing, issued a confirmation of its position regarding the online veterinary technician programme rune by Rome-based veterinary services company Abivet.
The VCI said that graduates of this programme are are not eligible to have their qualifications assessed against Irish veterinary nursing training standards, or to sit pre-registration examinations required for registration.
According to Abivet’s website, the business offers courses for veterinary technicians. This includes an online veterinary technician training programme.
Abivet said its online course is a remote training course “fully equivalent to the traditional one”; and that it offers the same subjects, workload, examinations and qualification, and it is “held by the same teachers” of the Rome-based in-person course.
Abivet said its “school” is accredited by ACOVENE (Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nurse Education), an EU-wide body that accredits veterinary nurse education programmes in Europe.
However, the VCI said its position aligns with its affiliation agreement with ACOVENE, which the VCI says does not endorse training courses that are preliminarily online.
The VCI said that, at a meeting last month, the council considered the eligibility of graduates from the Abivet Rome Online Veterinary Technician Programme and concerns were expressed about “the inadequate quality assurance and potential for inconsistency of hands-on training” provided through the online programme.
The VCI also said that its reservations regarding this particular training course are “significant”.
Commenting on the matter, chief executive and registrar of the VCI Niamh Muldoon said: “While the council acknowledges the challenging circumstances faced by students of such programmes, the VCI’s responsibility to uphold public trust and ensure the competence of vet nurses for clinical practice remains paramount.
“Comprehensive clinical placements are vital to safeguarding animal health and welfare, as well as public confidence in the veterinary nursing profession. This decision is made in the best interests of animal health, welfare, and public confidence in our professions,” Muldoon added.
The VCI said it “appreciates and is sympathetic to the unique circumstances faced by the graduates and students enrolled” in the programme.
Under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (as amended), only individuals registered with the VCI or enrolled in an approved Irish veterinary nursing programme may practice veterinary nursing in the state. The council’s mandate includes ensuring that only those with recognised qualifications can register.
The VCI emphasised the importance of due diligence for prospective students when considering enrolment in any veterinary nursing programmes. Individuals are advised to verify the eligibility of qualifications for registration in Ireland before committing to any course of study.