Are you confused about how to represent your qualification accurately? 
 
Do you see other qualified professionals with a list of letters behind their name, indicating their education or professional registrations? A lot of veterinary nurses use the post-nominals (abbreviation) DVN, however this isn't accurate. 
 
If your highest qualification is a (New Zealand) Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, you can use the post-nominals of Dip. VN. You can also use RVN if you are registered. There is no need to use both. 
 
If your highest qualification is a (New Zealand) Certificate in Animal Technology - Veterinary Nursing Assistant, you can use the post-nominals Cert. Animal Tech (VNA).  
 
If your highest qualification is a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology or Veterinary Nursing, you can use the post-nominals BVT/BVN. You can also use RVT if you are registered BVT graduate. 
 
Don't forget to include other qualifications you may have (BSc. etc). 

For example: 

Jane Doe, RVN 

John Doe, Dip. VN, BSc 
 
In summary 
Dip. VN - Diploma in Veterinary Nursing 
Cert. Animal Tech - Certificate in Animal Technology (VNA) 
Cert. VN - Certificate in Veterinary Nursing 
BVT - Bachelor of Veterinary Technology 
BVN - Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing 
BSc. - Bachelor of Science 
MSc – Master of Science 
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy 

Others you may see and what they mean: 
BVSc – Bachelor of Veterinary Science 
DVM – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 
 
If you hold post-graduate qualifications, check the correct post-nominal use with your education provider. 
 
Want to know more? Here are some useful links.  
 
Etiquette for the Alphabet Soup of Post-Nominal Letters 
 
Post-nominal letters 

Written by: Laura Harvey

Head of Environmental and Animal Sciences at Unitec; President,. New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association