Veterinary Nursing

Diploma Level 3

Study mode Full time

Location Moulton

Level Level 3

Start date Sept 2024

Duration 2.5 years

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If you dream of becoming a veterinary nurse this is the course for you! You will gain the knowledge and practical experience that you need to qualify as a registered veterinary nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Please note that this course is subject to approval from the awarding organisation.

You will learn all the requirements that the RCVS has to become a registered veterinary nurse. Modules and skills you will cover include professional veterinary nursing responsibilities, diagnostic principles, pharmacology and dispensary management and practical veterinary nursing skills.

If you are aged 16-18 years old at the start of your course you will not have to pay any course fees. If you are aged 19+ at the start of your course you may have to pay. Please contact our Student Services Team for more information.

When working on practical assessments in the College you will need to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) consisting of a veterinary tunic, over-trousers and work safety boots. All of our equipment is supplied by Baca. Your PPE for college use will need to be separate from the PPE you wear in veterinary practice for biosecurity reasons.

You will work at least three full days per week at a veterinary practice to complete your work placement. In order to pass the course you must complete a minimum of 900 hours at an approved veterinary practice for each year on the programme.

One day per week will be taught face-to-face at our Moulton campus. This time will be split roughly 7 hours per week in teaching sessions, 3 hours assessment workshops and 1.5 hours tutorial and pastoral time.

You will be assessed by a range of methods and these assessment will take place at either the College or on site at a veterinary practice. The assessments will include assignments and case studies, multiple choice online exams and portfolios.

At the end of the qualification you will be required to undertake the OSCE examinations (Licence to Practical Objective Structured Clinical Examinations). These examinations are time constrained practical assessments designed to assess your knowledge, practical skill and behaviour.

This qualification will lead you to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

All students must have a confirmed student veterinary nursing placement with an RCVS approved training veterinary practice in writing before enrolling on the course.

Students must have a minimum of 5 x GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths, and must have a minimum of grade 6 in biological sciences. GCSE chemistry would be an advantage but is not essential.

Alternatively students can apply with a Level 2 Technical Diploma in Animal Care with a merit grade or higher overall or a Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support.

It is a requirement of the regulatory body (RCVS) that anybody working within the veterinary industry must be registered with their professional body. There is a charge for this membership. You can find out more about this on their website here. The fee is an annual fee so must be paid each year.

This course is very demanding on time and also on professional resilience. In order to be successful you will need to commit the time and effort in to all aspects of your course however we will be supporting you all the way to launch you in to this exciting career.