News

Monday 18 June 2007

RCVS accredits Nottingham Trent University VN degree

The RCVS has accredited Nottingham Trent University to deliver a new Veterinary Nursing foundation degree (FdSc).

The course has been under development, in consultation with local practices and the RCVS for 18 months and will run for the first time from October.  It is a three-year programme which, like all higher education VN courses, incorporates the stipulated amount of experience in clinical veterinary practice.

This new validation brings the number of veterinary nursing degree courses now offered to 12, with this route to qualification becoming increasingly popular.

“This new course is very welcome, and will address a previous lack of veterinary nursing training in the East Midlands,” commented Libby Earle, Head of Veterinary Nursing at the RCVS.  “We hope it will attract more practices in the area to take an active part in training veterinary nurses, especially in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, where practices can now develop links with a more locally-based college.”

Nottingham Trent University has developed excellent facilities to support the new course, including a state-of-the-art clinical training suite and adjacent animal unit.  This means that students will have the opportunity to learn essential clinical and basic animal handling techniques before they embark on clinical placements.

Professor Jenny Saint, Dean of the University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environment Sciences, said: “We are delighted that the RCVS is accrediting this new course, which will enable the development of crucial scientific, technical and practical veterinary nursing skills. It will also complement the School’s renowned provision in equine studies and animal science.”

The University has also outlined plans to develop a progression route to achieve full BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing in due course.

For information about the course, enquiries should be directed via email or telephone +44 (0)1636 817099.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

• Lizzie Lockett:  +44 (0)20 7202 0725, Communications Department, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
• Dave Rogers:  +44 (0)115 848 8782, Press Officer, Nottingham Trent University.
• Therese Easom:  +44 (0)115 848 8774, Press and Media Relations Manager, Nottingham Trent University.
  

Notes for editors

1. The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK and deals with issues of professional misconduct, maintaining the register of veterinary surgeons eligible to practise in the UK and assuring standards of veterinary education.
2. The RCVS has two key functions in relation to veterinary nursing: the maintenance of the statutory list of veterinary nurses and the award of veterinary nursing NVQs and RCVS diploma qualifications.