International differences in the journey toward compulsory veterinary nurse registration

Abstract

This paper seeks to explore the veterinary nursing profession and its regulation using five countries as examples, namely the United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand, Australia, the Republic of Ireland and the United States of America (USA). It also briefly examines the concept of working towards an internationally unified or standardised approach to the regulation of the veterinary nursing profession, which may be beneficial to the profession. Finally, it provides brief information for veterinary nurses who may wish to transfer their careers between the five example countries described. The focus of this paper is from a New Zealand perspective, but relates to veterinary nurses worldwide.