Member Benefits

New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) members have access to a range of benefits that support both their professional lives and personal wellbeing. It is our goal that Veterinary Nurses and technologists are supported in their mahi, so they can provide the very best care to their patients.

Member Benefits include:

  • Wellbeing and professional support
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
  • News and views
  • Advocacy
  • Mentorship
  • Social media
  • Clinical resources
  • Discounts
  • Annual Awards.

We are also proud to offer The Kathy Waugh Leadership Scholarship and The Julie Hutt Student Scholarship.

Wellbeing Support

Veterinary Nursing is both a rewarding and demanding career. We offer a range of resources to ensure members have access to support when they need it.

These include disability support; employment support; mental health resources; online Facebook support groups; Telus Health EAP support and wellbeing resources, plus Kora fuel cards and Perks Cards.

Employment Support

The NZVNA is committed to supporting Veterinary Nurses and technicians not only in their professional development, but also in creating safe, healthy, and positive workplaces. Working in the veterinary industry can be rewarding, but it can also present unique challenges — from physically demanding environments to complex workplace situations. The NZVNA is here to help members navigate these challenges with confidence.

 

Health and Safety Support

The wellbeing and safety of veterinary professionals is a priority for NZVNA. We provide members with access to practical health and safety resources designed specifically for veterinary workplaces. This includes guidance about workplace risks, mental wellbeing, fatigue management, bullying and harassment awareness, and creating safer clinical environments.

NZVNA also recognises the emotional demands of the profession and actively promotes wellbeing initiatives and support services that encourage healthy, sustainable careers within the industry.

Human Resources Support

The NZVNA supports members by providing information and guidance relating to employment and workplace matters. This includes assistance with employment matters, understanding your contracts or general support that help members better understand their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. Whether members are navigating workplace communication, professional conduct, career progression, or employment concerns, the NZVNA aims to provide practical support and direction. Our goal is to help veterinary professionals feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout their careers. Through advocacy, education, and member support, the NZVNA continues to work toward stronger, healthier, and more sustainable veterinary workplaces across Aotearoa New Zealand.

CPD and CE

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continuing Education (CE) are an important part of how we advance and upskill the Veterinary Nursing sector. To support CPD, we promote a wide range of opportunities that are available throughout the year.

Veterinary Nursing professionals are required to complete 40 CPD hours every two years to remain on the register. NZVNA members can upload and store their CPD plans on the My CPD Record area of this website. For more information about CPD, contact us at cpd@nzvna.org.nz

Additional resources are available HERE.

If you're interested in studying to become a Veterinary Nurse or other Allied Veterinary Professional, visit our Education Providers' page for a current list of NZQA-approved providers.

Disclaimer: The views and information in continuing education advertised on the NZVNA website do not necessarily reflect those of the NZVNA, and we do not endorse any advertised products or services. The NZVNA is not responsible for the content provided by external learning providers, nor has it independently verified the accuracy of this information. We disclaim all liability, including for negligence, related to the use of these materials. Any associated costs or enrolments are the responsibility of the individual, not the NZVNA.

News and Views

The Vet Nurse Lens (previously known as the New Zealand Veterinary Nurse Journal) is produced exclusively for Veterinary Nurses and Allied Veterinary Professionals.

This high-quality, quarterly publication shares clinical articles and case studies; up-to-date product information; industry, ethical and legal guidance; and much more.

We also share a quarterly e-newsletter with topical articles and information from the industry.

Social Media

The NZVNA has a large social media presence on Facebook and Instagram with eight support groups available to members. We encourage you to join these pages and get to know more of your colleagues across the motu.

Advocacy

The NZVNA is the voice of the Veterinary Nursing community in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to working with members to make positive changes for all Allied Veterinary Professionals.

Improving remuneration is an important area of our advocacy mahi, and we were proud to recently create NZVNA wage guidelines for our HR toolbox.

The NZVNA executive committee sits on a wide range of national and international boards, trusts, committees, and working groups to advocate for our members.

In 2022, we were also the first Veterinary Nursing and technician association to become affiliated with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).

We have created and sourced a wide range of clinical resources for our members. Click HERE for information on anaesthesia; animal welfare; infection control; the human-animal bond; the team approach; VetCheck; and more.

Mentorship

The NZVNA understands the importance of providing support for students and new graduates as they enter the Veterinary Nursing profession. Experienced kaimahi may also need assistance from time-to-time. Our mentoring support system helps members to reach their potential.

We believe strong support networks are an important part of building a successful and rewarding career in Veterinary Nursing. Whether you are a student beginning your journey, a new graduate gaining confidence in practice, or an experienced professional facing new challenges, mentorship can provide valuable guidance, encouragement, and connection. 

Our mentorship programme is designed to create a supportive and inclusive community where members can share knowledge, build confidence, and grow both personally and professionally. Veterinary Nursing can be rewarding and demanding and having someone who understands the profession can make all the difference.

Through meaningful connections and peer support, the NZVNA is committed to helping Veterinary Nurses feel supported, empowered, and inspired at every stage of their career.

Other Benefits

We also offer member discounts and other benefits where possible.

NZVNA members are entitled to 25% off our Vet Nursing workshops, which cover anaesthesia; behaviour; consult nursing; dentistry; emergency and critical care; and surgical nursing.

We also provide access to the MyCPD Record; the NZVNA CE Portal powered by WCEA; Sci-quest; webinars; and annual conferences. Members can receive discounts at Veterinary Training Centres (VTCs).

Annual Awards

The highlight of our year is celebrating the work of our members…with our members!

The annual NZVNA Awards night is a spectacular event where we get to celebrate everything we love about our profession and the people who belong to it. During the Awards night dinner, we announce the hotly contested NZVNA and Hill's NZ Ltd Vet Nurse of the Year Award.

Alongside our industry partners, we are proud to offer the following awards to our members: