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Posted: 4th March 2025

BVNA marks 60th anniversary
BVNA's first congress took place in 1973 at the Hotel Russell in London, before moving to Berkshire College.
Members are invited to share photos and memories.

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) is commemorating 60 years since it was first launched.

The organisation was first founded on 1 March 1965 by a group of registered animal nursing auxiliaries (RANAs) – before the term ‘veterinary nurse’ had been officially recognised.

Founded with the support of Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons registrar Alastair Porter, the BVNA originally aimed to promote the standards of veterinary nursing and the interests of RANAs.

However, because the title of ‘veterinary nurse’ had not yet been recognised, BVNA was first required to change its name to the ‘British Animal Nursing Auxiliaries Association’ (BANAA). It was only in 1985, after the title of ‘veterinary nurse’ was first recognised, that it was able to revert back to BVNA.

The first BANAA newsletter was published in September 1970 and was dedicated to sharing news and information among the profession.

This was followed by the organisation’s first congress, which took place in 1973 at the Hotel Russell in London, before moving to Berkshire College. This one-day event was solely for RANAs, providing lectures and commercial exhibitions for the profession.

In 1999, now renamed the BVNA, the group announced the launch of its members advisory service. Since launch, the service has now developed to support veterinary nurses throughout their career, including with employment law, financial matters and other legal concerns.

BVNA has since hosted its 50th anniversary BVNA Congress, with over 1,500 visitors attending the 2023 event. It also publishes its own membership publication, the Veterinary Nursing Journal, which shares peer-reviewed articles for the veterinary profession.

It now forms part of a core working group led by Defra, working alongside the RCVS, BVA and the Vet Schools Council to campaign for a reform to the Veterinary Surgeons Act.

The BVNA is calling on past and present members of the association to share photographs and memories of their time in the profession. The stories will form part of the association’s celebrations of its milestone year.

Lyndsay Hughes, BVNA president, said: "As BVNA celebrates its 60th year of championing the veterinary nursing profession, we're also celebrating all our members past and present who have enabled us to ensure that BVNA stands stronger today than ever before.

“We never forget that we are standing on the shoulders of a great number of passionate and motivated veterinary nurses who have tirelessly driven the association forwards.

“The veterinary nursing profession has progressed beyond all recognition in the past 60 years, and with it, BVNA has continued to adapt and grow to meet what our profession needs from its representative body.”

Image © BVNA



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