For nearly a decade, the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI) has been one of NAVTA’s most visible efforts to advance the veterinary technology profession. Since its launch following the 2016 NAVTA Leadership Summit, the initiative has focused on four key goals:
- Professional standards
- Public recognition
- Professional recognition
- Expanded career opportunities
While many associate the VNI primarily with the pursuit of the Veterinary Nurse title, the initiative’s work has always encompassed a broader effort to advance the veterinary technology profession. Over the years, the committee has developed policies, position statements, reports, educational resources, and professional standards that support the entire veterinary healthcare team and help advance the profession in meaningful ways. This work includes strengthening professional standards, supporting consistent credentialing, protecting professional titles and credentials, clarifying scope of practice, and promoting appropriate utilization of credentialed veterinary professionals.
As a result, NAVTA has renamed the committee to VNI Practices & Standards Committee (VNIP&S) to better reflect the full scope of its responsibilities and accomplishments.
What the Name Change Means
The name change does not represent a change in NAVTA’s commitment to the Veterinary Nurse Initiative. NAVTA recognizes that broader progress toward the initiative’s goals requires continued work to strengthen the foundation of the profession. The four original goals of the initiative remain unchanged, and the committee continues to support efforts related to credentialing, title protection, public awareness, and professional utilization. At the same time, NAVTA continues to support recognition and appropriate use of the Veterinary Nurse title, including advocacy for states and organizations working to pursue its recognition and use.
What has changed is the recognition that much of the committee’s work now centers on developing the tools, resources, standards, policies, and position statements needed to support those goals. The committee has an important role in helping establish the professional foundation needed to advance the field, from credentialing and title protection to scope of practice and appropriate utilization of credentialed veterinary professionals. The new name more accurately reflects the work members of the committee perform every day and highlights the broader impact the committee has on the profession.
NAVTA supports the Veterinary Nurse title in states where it is already in use and recognizes it as a long‑term aspirational standard, while the committee’s present work remains centered on practices, standards, credentialing, title protection, scope of practice, and professional resources.
Looking Beyond the Title
One of the committee’s greatest successes has been its ability to address issues that affect credentialed veterinary professionals regardless of which title is used in a particular state.
In recent years, the committee has produced several significant resources that provide guidance for the profession and help create greater consistency nationwide, including:
- NAVTA’s Job Title Policy (2021)
- NAVTA’s Title Protection Report (2022)
- Registration of the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) and Veterinary Nurse Specialist (VNS) certification marks (2023)
- Veterinary Nurse/Technician Job Title Use Resources (2025)
- Updated Veterinary Technician/Nurse Oath (2025)
- Updated Veterinary Technician/Nurse Code of Ethics (2025)
- NAVTA Scope of Practice Report (2026)
- NAVTA Position Statement on Alternative Routes to Veterinary Technician Credentialing (2026)
These accomplishments demonstrate the committee’s growing role as a resource for professional guidance, standards development, and advocacy. They also support organizations, regulators, educators, employers, and veterinary professionals working to strengthen the profession across the country.
Building the Foundation for the Future
The committee also serves as a steward of many of NAVTA’s official positions related to credentialing standards, title protection, professional definitions, and scope of practice. These positions support important goals such as:
- Consistent educational standards
- Standardized credentialing requirements
- Protection of professional titles and credentials
- Clearly defined scopes of practice
- Appropriate utilization of credentialed veterinary professionals
- Recognition of veterinary assistants as important members of the healthcare team
These efforts help create a stronger professional framework for veterinary healthcare regardless of where a technician, technologist, nurse, assistant, educator, or employer practices.
Continuing Support for Veterinary Nurse Title
NAVTA remains committed to supporting the Veterinary Nurse title and recognizes the progress that has already been made. Several states now reference “Veterinary Nurse” in statutes, regulations, board guidance, or other regulatory frameworks, demonstrating continued momentum toward broader recognition of the title.
NAVTA recognizes that title-related changes occur at different speeds across the country. The committee will continue advancing recognition and appropriate use of the Veterinary Nurse title through resources, guidance, collaboration, and support for stakeholders while respecting the regulatory realities within individual states.
Importantly, advancing the Veterinary Nurse title is one part of the committee’s overall mission. The committee’s broader responsibility is ensuring that the profession has the standards, policies, and resources needed to advance, regardless of where a state currently stands on title usage.
A Stronger Reflection of the Work Being Done
The transition to the VNI Practices & Standards Committee is ultimately an acknowledgment of how much the committee has evolved.
The committee has accomplished far more than title advocacy alone. Through its work in practices, standards, policy development, professional guidance, and resource creation, the VNIP&S Committee continues to strengthen and advance the veterinary profession while supporting NAVTA’s vision for the future.
The name has changed, the mission remains the same: advancing the profession, supporting credentialed veterinary professionals, and building a stronger future for veterinary nursing and veterinary technology.
NAVTA extends its sincere thanks and deep gratitude to the volunteer members of the VNIP&S Committee.
- Autumn Cooper, Chair
- Zahara Yee, Vice Chair
- Jennifer Serling, Board Liaison
- Matias Bentancour
- Mia Contreras
- Tricia Gorham
- Karina Taylor
- Leslie Wereszczak
- Ed Carlson
- Christina Giovannielli
- Kathleen Koar
- Suzanne Thomas
- Kenichiro Yagi