Cath Dean, Linnaeus
Referral Hospital Joins Unique Nurse Training Programme
2 years ago 
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A leading referral hospital has signed up to the pioneering Post-Registration Programme (PRP) run by veterinary group Linnaeus, which supports early career Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) as they enter referral practice.
Northwest Veterinary Specialists in Cheshire is now taking part in the national training programme – which already has PRP nurses supported in eight other Linnaeus referral hospitals nationally.
The PRP is the UK’s first preceptorship programme for multiple referral sites that recruits from a variety of educational institutions around the UK. It comprises five professional development and clinical skills days, plus nurse-led projects to promote evidence-based clinical practice and quality improvement.
The programme runs two cohorts in March and September each year. This allows for those entering the professional register through both college and university routes to access the programme at two points in the year.
Kathryn Latimer-Jones, Head of Nursing Services at Northwest, said:
“The PRP offers our nurses a unique range of career progression and learning opportunities, and I believe our participation in the programme will have a positive effect right across the hospital. To deliver the best clinical care, it’s vital that our nursing team is highly trained and fully supported so they can follow best practice, innovate and think critically. We already have three nurses signed up to the programme and I’m sure there will be many more to follow.”
Cath Dean, Lead PRP Manager at Linnaeus, commented:
“We have seen a real increase in interest and demand for the PRP since it launched three years ago. Referral nursing can be a big career jump for many, so the programme is designed to boost nurses’ confidence and ambitions, as well as their clinical skillset. We recruit nurses from all educational backgrounds and experience levels – the most important requirement is a desire to learn!
“It is really heartening to witness the confidence of those RVNs completing the PRP programme. They are supported to follow a variety of career pathways, both during and after the programme. Several nurses have completed additional certificates, taken up specialist interest roles within their referral hospital or focused on clinical research after completing the programme.”
Four PRP graduates have now trained to become preceptors to future cohorts, while two have become skills supervisors. Meanwhile Jessica Hill, Nurse Team Leader at Paragon Veterinary Referrals, recently published a research paper about surgical safety checklists in Vet Record and has been appointed to an interim Lead Nurse position.
Jessica added:
“Taking part in the PRP helped me to realise my interest in different areas of referral nursing, particularly wards and patient safety. This has progressed into studying for a masters in patient safety and clinical human factors. I have also become a PRP preceptor, so I can offer the support that I benefitted from as a newly qualified nurse.
“I would encourage other nurses with an interest in research to explore this further so they can realise their ambitions and full potential. Having my paper published demonstrates how nurses can contribute to the evidence base of veterinary care and shows what we can achieve.”
The nine Linnaeus referral hospitals now taking part in the PRP are Cave Veterinary Specialists, Davies Veterinary Specialists, Eastcott Referrals, North Downs Specialist Referrals, Northwest Veterinary Specialists, Paragon Veterinary Referrals, Southfields Veterinary Specialists, Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service, and Wear Referrals.
For more information about the PRP, please visit linnaeusgroup.co.uk/careers/graduates-students-and-apprenticeships/referral-nursing-post-registration-programme.
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