NZVNA

08/06/2026

💖 We’re thrilled to welcome fan favourite Marcia Fletcher back to the NZVA & NZVNA Conference in 2026! 💖

A registered veterinary nurse specialist, international speaker, published author, and founder of The Pink Stethoscope, Marcia is one of New Zealand’s most respected voices in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. With more than 20 years of experience, countless veterinary professionals have benefited from her engaging teaching style, practical insights, and passion for making anaesthesia less intimidating and more accessible.

As New Zealand’s first Veterinary Technician Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia, a RECOVER CPR instructor, former Vet Nurse of the Year, and recipient of multiple teaching awards, Marcia brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to every presentation.

This year, Marcia will be delivering multiple sessions across the conference programme, giving attendees plenty of opportunities to learn from one of our most popular and highly requested speakers.

Whether you’re looking to build confidence in anaesthesia, refresh your knowledge, or take your skills to the next level, Marcia’s sessions are not to be missed.

🎟️ Conference registrations are open now – secure your place and join us for an inspiring three days of learning, connection, and professional development.

06/06/2026

📢 Research Participation Opportunity for Veterinary Nurses

The NZVNA has been asked to share the following research opportunity on behalf of an independent researcher. Please note that this study is not being conducted or managed by the NZVNA.

Researchers are seeking veterinary nurses to participate in an online survey investigating the impact of veterinary nurse stress on patient care. This study requires veterinary nurse participants to complete a survey that involves pain scoring and completion of the Perceived Stress Scale.

⏱️ The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

The aim of this research is to better understand how workplace stress may affect staff performance and patient welfare, helping to raise awareness of this important issue within the profession.

✅ Approved by the Unitec Ethics Committee
✅ Responses are anonymous

If you would like to participate, please access the survey here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/tvgVUvMMcb

04/06/2026

🎤 Have you secured your spot to hear Courtney Scales at Conference 2026?

We’re excited to welcome New Zealand-trained veterinary nurse and internationally recognised anaesthesia educator Courtney Scales as one of our keynote speakers this June.

From her work at the Royal Veterinary College and Davies Veterinary Specialists to her popular educational platform Veterinary Anursethesia, Courtney has inspired veterinary professionals around the world with her practical, engaging approach to anaesthesia and patient care.

If hearing from speakers like Courtney is on your conference wish list, now is a great time to become an NZVNA member. The cost of annual membership plus a member-priced conference registration is still less than purchasing a full-price non-member conference ticket.

Join us for an inspiring three days of learning, connection, and professional development with some of the best voices in veterinary nursing.

✨ Become a member, save on your registration, and join us in June.

01/06/2026

🐾 Powered by Passion 🐾

The search for the 2026 Vet Nurse of the Year is almost here… and Dotty is already excited. 👀✨

This award celebrates the veterinary nurses who lead with compassion, advocate fiercely for their patients, support their teams, and make a difference every single day.

📣 Entries and nominations opening soon! Save the date and start thinking about the incredible vet nurse who deserves the spotlight.

31/05/2026

👑 Happy King’s Birthday from the NZVNA! 👑

Dotty is taking her royal duties very seriously today… although we suspect treats and walks may still top the agenda. 🐾

We hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved break and a chance to recharge before a busy second half of the year, including the return of Vet Nurse of the Year later this year! 👀✨

Stay tuned… Dotty has plenty more excitement to share soon. 💙

31/05/2026

🎉 Announcing our 2026 Royal Canin Education Scholarship Winner! 🎉

Congratulations to Aleysha Corbishley, the recipient of the 2026 Royal Canin Education Scholarship.

This year we received more than 20 outstanding applications, making the judging process incredibly competitive. The calibre of applicants showcased the passion, dedication, and commitment to lifelong learning that exists within the veterinary nursing profession.

Aleysha impressed the judging panel with her clear commitment to advancing veterinary nursing through evidence-based practice and her dedication to improving patient care. Currently working toward certification as a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP), with her sights set on achieving a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Clinical Practice, Aleysha is passionate about advancing anaesthesia, analgesia, and pain management standards within the profession.

Beyond her own professional development, Aleysha is committed to sharing her knowledge with colleagues, mentoring junior nurses, and helping translate emerging research into everyday clinical practice. Her vision for creating a culture of learning and knowledge-sharing reflects the values of this scholarship and the future of our profession.

The scholarship will support Aleysha’s continued postgraduate education, helping her pursue advanced training in pain management and further develop her expertise for the benefit of patients, colleagues, and the wider veterinary community.

Congratulations, Aleysha, and thank you to everyone who applied. The future of veterinary nursing is bright because of professionals like you. 💙🐾

27/05/2026

📣 Introducing The Vet Nurse Lens 📣

We’re excited to unveil the new name for the NZVNA Journal: The Vet Nurse Lens.

More than just a new look, The Vet Nurse Lens reflects our commitment to showcasing the diverse perspectives, experiences, knowledge, and voices that make our profession so unique.

This is a space for veterinary nurses and technicians to share their stories, research, clinical insights, interesting cases, professional experiences, and reflections from practice. Whether you’re passionate about evidence-based medicine, education, leadership, wellbeing, or simply have a story worth telling, we’d love to hear from you.

Through The Vet Nurse Lens, we aim to celebrate our profession, spark meaningful conversations, and learn from one another.

✨ Different perspectives. Shared knowledge. One profession.

27/05/2026

LAVT of the Year! 🐄⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🐑🦌🧪
Know an LAVT doing amazing stuff in New Zealand? Nominate them before this Friday for Large Animal Veterinary Technician of the Year Award! 🏆

NZVA's LAVT Group is excited to launch the very first Large Animal Veterinary Technician of the Year Award. It's all about recognising those technicians who make a real difference in all aspects of rural veterinary practice. If someone in your clinic comes to mind straight away, we’d love you to nominate them.

👉 Submit here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=JGgORauI0kqRTbDzhdpgDOiVDy6JguFFozPS2Yl_nLVUMjlSNE1CNUY5WE8wVURIQTFQME81T05ENy4u
📅 Nominations close at 6pm, 29 May 2026

26/05/2026

Advance your skills in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia.

The ESAVS Certificate Program for Veterinary Nurses & Technicians offers advanced training in anaesthesia, analgesia, and perioperative care through a flexible blend of workshops, lectures, live online learning, and on-demand study.

Designed for veterinary nurses and technicians looking to deepen their expertise, this internationally recognised program also includes the opportunity to gain RECOVER CPR certification.

🔗 Learn more and take the next step in your professional development today.

Veterinary Technician Certificate Course In Principle Techniques Of Small Animal Anesthesia, Perioperative Analgesia & Critical Patient Care

25/05/2026

✨ Celebrate excellence with us at the NZVNA Annual Awards Dinner ✨

Join us for a special evening recognising and celebrating the incredible achievements within our veterinary nursing community at this year’s NZVNA Conference. 🏆

📍 Auckland Art Gallery
📅 23 June 2026
🕖 7:00pm

If you’re attending conference, or planning to, you can add your Awards Dinner ticket when completing your conference registration. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a memorable evening with colleagues, friends, and peers in a stunning venue.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🥂