Beth
Stephenson

Why did you choose to study your course at NTU?

As someone who is originally from Newcastle, you may wonder why I chose to move so far from home to study at NTU. When looking into my options, I was impressed by the excellent facilities available at Brackenhurst Campus, including the Animal Unit which houses a range of domesticated and exotic animals students have the opportunity to interact with as a part of the veterinary nursing practical module.

Alongside this, Brackenhurst has its own library dedicated to the courses available at the campus, providing vast animal-related resources to aid with revision and assignments.

The small, yet homely, environment of Brackenhurst also played an important factor in my decision to study with NTU as I was hesitant to move so far away from home, however, the idealistic campus, friendly students, and approachable staff members made this transition very positive.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I enjoy that my course allows you to be very ‘hands-on’ with the animals, particularly in the first year and on placement. It is also rather practical-based for those who prefer this over lectures, with a great balance between theory and practical work.

How do you find your modules and what have you most enjoyed studying?

The veterinary nursing course modules are intellectually stimulating, challenging previous knowledge of animal care as well as an understanding of newly learned content. Therefore, students should be prepared to dedicate hard work to completing exams and assignments. But don’t worry, the lecturers always excel in giving amazing support and advice to help when needed.

What do you think about the facilities available on your course and what do you use the most?

The most useful facility available to veterinary nursing students on campus would have to be the Veterinary Nursing Centre. This is where students can practice and learn new practical skills such as radiography, dispensing, drug administration, bandaging, fluid therapy, and much more.

What do you think about Brackenhurst Campus? What do you get up to in your spare time?

In my first year I lived in student halls at Brackenhurst Campus and, in my spare time, when feeling a little bit stressed or low, I found myself going for walks around campus where I’d eventually end up at the Animal Unit or cat room to get some animal therapy. As well as this, I used to visit the Orangery café to do some studying or I would pop there to get a coffee to take to lectures.

In my second year I am living in Nottingham city centre where, in my spare time, I visit cafés, go out with friends, and walk to the NTU Boots Library to complete assignments and do revision.

What is your top tip for someone considering studying/ living at Brackenhurst Campus?

If you’re worried about meeting new people, I would suggest joining the social media group chats on Facebook and Snapchat for students living in halls or to get to know those on your course. I talked to three of my flatmates for a while before moving to Brackenhurst and I personally found it really reassuring to know a little bit about the people I was going to be living with and going to lectures with before arriving.

I would also suggest creating a timetable to dedicate a little bit of time per week to your revision and assignments to keep on top of the workload.

Have you been involved in any placements, work experience or volunteering as part of your course? If so, what did you do and what did you achieve?

As a part of the course, I have undertaken 15 weeks of placement in a veterinary practice so far. I've been fortunate enough to be able to assist in a range of interesting emergency cases such as GDV, foreign bodies, pyometra, and possible infectious disease patients.

This experience boosted my communication skills greatly as you are able to interact with a range of other veterinary professionals, the public, and sometimes even other students, and I have found that placement has really brought me out of my shell.

As well as this, I was lucky to be able to partake in Vets in the Community, a charity organisation which allows veterinary nursing students from NTU and the University of Nottingham to demonstrate their skills, providing free veterinary care for animals whose owners may be vulnerably housed or homeless.

Why would you recommend your course to someone considering studying it?

If you are enthusiastic about providing care to animals, this course is right for you as you will learn in-depth the different methods of care for a range of diseases and disorders in various small animal species. I would recommend studying this course with NTU due to the outstanding support you will receive from lecturers regarding personal wellbeing and academic performance.

What are your plans for after the course and how do you feel your course has/ will help you to achieve that goal?

After the completion of my FdSc Veterinary nursing course, I hope to advance onto the BSc Hons top-up year of veterinary nursing, which will provide me with further qualifications to allow future career progression opportunities such as teaching, clinical coaching, or higher managerial roles within a veterinary practice.

The foundation course will help me to achieve this goal as I have gained valuable knowledge and in-practice experience required for the completion of a dissertation in the top-up year.