The BVNA 6 month ‘Delving Deeper into Wounds’ (DDIW) Certificate is into its 3rd year and running its 7th Cohort of students. This Lantra accredited course was developed jointly with Georgie Hollis (Veterinary Wound Library) and aims to enable veterinary nurses to become a wound care leader in practice. The course is inspired by the role of the tissue viability nurse in human healthcare and alongside physiology of healing encourages independent thought, critical thinking and the skills to review practice and start to lead the team.
It has been very encouraging to hear that many of the graduates have taken their new skills to become wound nurses in practice and that their colleagues have welcomed their skills and expertise.
Graduate Masterclass further evolves the role of the Veterinary Wound Nurse
On Thursday 7th October BVNA were delighted to hold the first ‘Delving Deeper into Wounds’ graduate masterclass. This was the first event of its kind bringing advanced skills of critical appraisal to the RVN’s who had successfully achieved the DDIW Certificate. The day, which was headed up by Georgie Hollis (Veterinary Wound Library) and Debbie Gray (BVNA), focused on ‘putting evidence into practice’. State of the art lectures and workshops were given by Dr. Marnie Brennan (Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, Nottingham Vet School) and Laura Owen from Cambridge Vet School with delegates participating in the critique of research papers, surgical options for wound closure and negative pressure wound therapy. Managed discussion about the barriers for change and weaknesses in practice (based on clinical audit reviews) revealed many skills and areas to be developed in the future that will further develop the wound nurse role.
BVNA and VWL are delighted that the day was a huge success. The discussions and enthusiasm during the day confirms that the wound nurse role is a reality and that moving forward as a group we can contribute actively to evidence for improved wound management.
The intention moving forward is to work on some key ‘action’ areas identified during the day and to involve DDIW graduates in the development of best practice through specialist focus groups.
In the meantime the BVNA Delving Deeper into Wounds course continues to evolve and welcomes nurses who are up for a challenge in advanced learning that promotes excellence and sets them on their way to become a specialist in their practice.
BVNA and VWL would like to thank and recognise the sponsors who have made the DDIW course and the DDIW graduate day possible.
Graduate day sponsors: Pioneer, JAK Marketing and Advancis Veterinary
DDIW course sponsors 2016 – Pioneer, JAK Marketing and Millpledge Veterinary
