The Veterinary Nurse Merit Awards are designed for the motivated nurse in primary care practice and offers structured CPD for qualified veterinary nurses who have an interest in developing their knowledge and skills in particular topics, without the commitment of a certificate or diploma.
The awards are delivered in a blended fashion (combination of online teaching and attendance days) and are worth between 30 – 50 hours of CPD, depending on the subject.
Following completion of the teaching, there is an assessment designed to be relevant to clinical practice, which will further enhance the learning experience. VNs who successfully complete the course will be awarded a BSAVA Veterinary Nurse Merit Award in their chosen subject.
What do the VNMA’s offer?
- Teaching from outstanding speakers delivering practical and clinically relevant information
- An opportunity to develop discipline based knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in practice
- Flexible yet structured study
- Â A new confidence and enthusiasm in assisting the clinical team and running clinics
- Â A source of like-minded individuals to discuss cases with, and build friendships along the way
- Â Support throughout your studies
Prices start from £475 plus VAT for BSAVA members and £700 plus VAT for non members.
If you have any questions, please email courses@bsava.com
Courses available in 2025
Dentistry
The BSAVA Veterinary Nurse Merit Award in Dentistry is suitable for all those in clinic who are involved within the dental procedure. We will cover every element that the RVN may be asked to be a part of. Build your confidence in both anaesthesia and hands on dentistry, allowing you to feel more confident and comfortable when treating your patients, whilst offering the patient a higher standard of care. Nurses are often under utilised within the dental department, with the VNMA under your belt you can be the driving force behind growing and improving the dental service within your clinic.
The Vet Nurse Merit Award in Dentistry is a structured CPD course which counts for 30 hours CPD.
The programme consists of 10 recorded webinar sessions, and an online resource which will encourage support in your learning through online resources and activities including a discussion forum.
Content includes:
- Obtaining dental radiographs
- Interpreting dental radiographs
- Anatomical structures of the tooth and surrounding tissues/structures
- Gingivitis/periodontitis
- Local nerve blocks
- Completing the dental chart
- The oral exam and varying presentations
- Malocclusions
- Scale and polishing
- Triadan numbering system
- Dental instrumentation and equipment
- Anaesthesia considerations
- Analgesia- multi-modal medication and the use of pain scoring
- Home care for good oral health
- Creating an oral care clinic
A practical in-person attendance course will take place at BSAVA HQ, in Gloucester and will give you chance to meet the colleagues who have been studying at the same time as you. The practical day will cover; dental radiography positioning,
identification of dental instruments and their use, maintenance of dental instruments, set up and maintenance of equipment and handpieces, setting up the patient under general anaesthesia for dentistry, completing a dental chart for a feline and canine patient and scale and polishing.
The course will finish with an online assessment and case study.
Online resource opens 1st September 2025
First session available 8th September 2025
Date for practical attendance day Friday 6th December 2025
Venue for practical attendance day: Woodrow House, Gloucester
ECC and Anaesthesia
The BSAVA Vet Nurse Merit Award in ECC and Anaesthesia will develop your skills and knowledge in ECC and anaesthesia, ranging from triage and shock, to anaesthesia in cardiac patients and head trauma.
The Vet Nurse Merit Award in ECC and Anaesthesia is a structured CPD course which counts for 30 hours CPD.
The programme consists of 10 recorded webinar sessions, and an online resource which will encourage support in your learning through online resources and activities including a discussion forum.
Content includes:
- Triage and initial patient assessment
- Shock and fluid therapy
- Pre-anaesthesia planning and consideration
- Anaesthesia equipment + Monitoring
- Cardio-respiratory patients – emergency presentations and anaesthesia
- Acute Abdomen
- Emergency care and anaesthesia of the endocrine patient
- Head trauma – Emergency presentation and anaesthesia
- Analgesia and pain scoring
- Critical care nursing
A practical in-person attendance course will take place at BSAVA HQ, in Gloucester and will give you chance to meet the colleagues who have been studying at the same time as you. You will get hands on experience in practical sessions covering feeding tubes, drains, vascular access techniques and CPR. Attendance at this day is essential to completing the award.
The course will finish with an online assessment and case study.
Online resource opens Monday 31st March 2025
First session available Monday 7th April 2025
Venue for practical attendance day:Â Woodrow House, Gloucester
Date for practical attendance day: Friday 5th September 2025
For more information please email courses@bsava.com
Behaviour
The BSAVA Vet Nurse Merit Award in Behaviour aims to introduce delegates to concepts in companion animal behaviour. This course aims to give a foundation of the basic concepts, and perhaps to inspire further learning or specialisation in the subject matter.
The Vet Nurse Merit Award in Behaviour is a structured CPD course which counts for 50 hours CPD, and will be delivered entirely online.
The programme consists of 12 recorded webinar sessions, and an online resource which will encourage support in your learning through online resources and activities including a discussion forum.
Content includes:
- The Veterinary Nurse’s role in behaviour in general practice.
- Canine development periods and life stages
- Feline developmental periods and life stages
- Exotic Pets: Normal behaviour and welfare needs
- Learning Theory, cognition and emotion
- Behaviour and welfare-related problem prevention
- Welfare-centred practice – behavioural care within the clinic
- Training and behaviour modification methods
- Common behaviour problems
- Common treatment approaches for behavioural problems
- Communication in behaviour and welfare management
- Case examples
The course will finish with an online assessment and case study.
Online resource opens Monday 7th April 2025
First session available Monday 14th April 2025
For more information email courses@bsava.com
Wound Management
First session available Monday22nd September2025
Venue for practical attendance day:Â Woodrow House, Gloucester
Date for practical attendance day: Friday 27th February 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the criteria for enrolment?
You must be a qualified veterinary nurse. Due to the nature of the final case study, it is preferable for you to be working in practice. However, if you are not in practice but still wish to enrol, please contact us.
Are the VN Merit Awards accredited by a professional examining body?
This course is not formally accredited; rather it provides high-quality CPD that will enhance your theoretical and practical understanding of a subject area. If you complete the course successfully, you will receive a certificate and a badge.
Is the practical course compulsory?
If a practical is included in the programme, then yes you are expected to attend.
Some of our past students say…
Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy VNMA – Josie Lees RVN
Added: “It’s a really great course I learnt a lot and it has really helped grow my confidence in the area and I have built quite a client base who come in regularly for physio and rehab, we have even had a few dogs avoid needing surgery. The practice has even invested in new equipment. It’s definitely worth it!”
Dermatology VNMA – Jody Barry BSc (Hons) RVN
Added: “I would say do not hesitate to enrol. I have been in practice for 17 years and this is the best course I have ever undertaken. The days were well structured, the tutors excellent and the learning materials invaluable.
Added: This course provides candidates with the tools to practically increase their skill set and bring so much more to their clients and practice. It has furthered my career in ways no other course has managed.”