Reasons to choose this course
- Pursue a career in roles associated with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
- You will graduate as a qualified veterinary nurse (graduates are able to register with the RCVS)
- We offer access to a modern Veterinary Nursing Centre on campus to support the course.
- You will gain work experience in veterinary practices throughout the course.
About the course
The course integrates work experience in a veterinary training practice with the underpinning teaching at the University. These work placements include a full year in a veterinary practice (your second year) to allow you to complete the National Occupational Standards Nursing Progress Log and build up your working experience.
The purpose built veterinary nursing building contains a simulated veterinary practice to give you the practical know-how on vital veterinary nursing procedures and the adjoining new animal unit will allow you plenty of handling practice of a wide range of species.
Please note the following information for applicants
Assessment
Assessment will be via a combination of written and practical university exams and assignments, together with an external examination by the RCVS. Nottingham Trent University is accredited with the RCVS so completion of the course will entitle you to become a registered veterinary nurse without having to take any further external examinations. Students will also complete a portfolio of evidence with a Nursing Progress Log within the workplace, which is assessed externally. This work enables students to achieve the RCVS day one competencies - the essential competencies required at graduation.
Modules
Level One
Animal Health and Disease
This module will enable students to understand the importance of maintaining health in animals, how healthy animals function, and why they become ill. Students will study a range of aspects which will enable them to work as a veterinary nurse, to support the veterinary surgeon through daily practice and assisting and educating clients in the healthcare of their pets.
Students will develop underpinning knowledge to enable better understanding of the practical aspects of healthcare. Animal health assessment and disease control within a veterinary practice are an integral part of the module, with importance given to the groups of pathogens. Students will develop practical skills in maintaining health by cleaning accommodation, efficient handling and restraint of animals and basic laboratory skills.
Animal Husbandry and Welfare
This module will expose students to a variety of handling situations across a range of species to develop practical skills. It will enable them to identify behaviour patterns for a number of species in different stress situations. Students will develop the ability to assess the housing needs of in-patients relative to the different species and with this underpinning knowledge, apply this practically in the veterinary practice.
Applied Functional Anatomy
This module will enable students to distinguish between normal and abnormal form and function of major body systems of small animals. Students will be able to examine visually or by palpation key anatomical features and landmarks. Practicals include fascinating dissection work to help students apply their knowledge to real veterinary scenarios.
Students will appraise how normal physiological function can be disrupted with relation to the disease process and how these changes may modify the provision of nursing care.
Essential Veterinary Nursing Skills
This module will develop the essential skills of care and nursing in the management of patients through health, ill health and emergency first aid situations. Students will develop an understanding of the attributes required by veterinary nurses to care for animals competently and to perform their role effectively under the supervision of qualified veterinary staff.
Practice Administration and Communication Skills
This module will help the student to understand the dynamics of communication in a veterinary practice. They will learn how different styles of communication can affect perception and will also examine how circumstances can change the way in which clients communicate. The student will explore the concept of team work and distinguish between the roles and responsibilities of veterinary practice staff including practice management.
Students will learn about time management and organisational skills including the supply and safe storage of veterinary materials and medicines. This module will examine the legal and professional regulatory frameworks within which a VN will work. Students will demonstrate effective health and safety practice and appraise the principal risks in a veterinary practice and how to report and manage common risks along with applying the principles of human first aid.
Work-based learning one
Level Two includes the extended year-long Work Based Learning module while based in a veterinary practice
Applied Behaviour
This module gives students an overview of the subject theory and practical study of animal behaviour. It will prepare them to address animal issues through the study of behaviour, how it can be affected by disease and stress and apply problem solving techniques to resolve the issues.
Surgical Theatre Practice
This module provides students with an appreciation of the need to prepare the surgical environment, instrumentation and patients to allow aseptic procedures to be reliably undertaken including the potential consequences should breaches of sterility go unnoticed. Adopting an overview of theatre function will also allow students to assist with surgical triage ensuring the most efficient use of theatre time. Students will also cover the physiology of sedation and anaesthesia along with the pharmacology of commonly used anaesthetic agents. It will prepare students to assist with anaesthetic induction, maintenance and recovery of patients.
Application of Veterinary Nursing Care
This module provides students with the tools needed to understand and evaluate the needs of the patient and thereby take a patient-centred approach to care; both within the veterinary practice and by the patient’s owner at home. It will build on the skills and knowledge of relationships, applied anatomy and essential veterinary nursing. Students will also develop a case study approach to learning to allow them to focus on the patient and owner rather than the disease itself.
Principles and Practices of Diagnostics
This module enables students to confidently choose and apply the correct diagnostic technique to identify and confirm illness and disease. They will be able to propose the correct patient care, management and preparation underpinned by safe working practices.
Pharmacology and Pharmacy Support
This module will introduce students to the issues of drug use in the veterinary practice relating to prescribing and dispensing of medicines including legal obligations. Students will gain knowledge of basic pharmacology and assess the practical applications and relating theory of administering medication via different routes. They will also be able to compare the use of alternative therapies with more traditional treatments.
Your future career
Students successfully graduating from this foundation degree will be entered onto the registered list of qualified veterinary nurses, which is held by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Students can then use the post-nominal letters VN and are qualified to give animals medication and perform acts of minor surgery under veterinary direction.
Work placement
The work based learning now includes a short placement in Year One, followed by a year long placement in Year Two. The full year placement enables students to efficiently manage their accommodation and travel expenses in line with their work placement commitment.
The work placements will be within approved training veterinary practices. These placements will facilitate the development of employment skills and provide students with the opportunity to apply their acquired skills and knowledge. In addition, students will achieve a greater depth of understanding and be able to develop their practical skills to enable them to achieve the RCVS Occupational Standards and produce the required portfolio of evidence. NTU will support student in finding placement through our network of affiliated veterinary practices. Some students wish to return to practices closer to home and we endeavour to support students to ensure that the practices chosen are regulated to the same standards as our affiliated practices.
How to apply
Applications for this course should be directed through the UCAS application system.
UCAS code: D310 FdSc / VN
Full entry requirement details
- You will need 120 UCAS Tariff points including one science A-level or Applied A-level (preferably in Biology). A National Diploma qualification in a science subject will be considered at PPP.
- Five GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English, Maths and Science must be achieved in advance.
- Applications are encouraged from mature students.
Work experience: All prospective students must have obtained at least two weeks work experience in one or more small animal veterinary practice before being invited to attend an admissions interview. Please reference all work experience in your personal statement when applying.
Interview
If successful, you will be invited to attend an interview to assess your prior work experience and suitability for the course.
International student entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world on this course. International students may have to undertake further examinations with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) before being able to register as a qualified veterinary nurse in the UK.
Tier 4 visa applicants - English language requirements
Applicants requiring Tier 4 visas will need to have a minimum score of either:
- IELTS 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in reading, listening, speaking and writing skills)
- TOEFL iBT 87 (with at least 21 in reading, 22 in listening, 23 in speaking and 21 in writing)
- Or equivalent language qualification
For further information, please visit our English language requirements web page for International applicants
EU applicants and non-Tier 4 international applicants - English language requirements
You will require:
- GCSE English Grade C, IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 76 or equivalent.
For further information, please visit our English language requirements web page for EU applicants.
Contact us
If you want to speak to us about this course, open days or how to apply - then get in touch using the following details:
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)1636 817099 (Brackenhurst)
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4200 (Admissions)
