Are you interested in animals of all shapes and sizes?
Do you wish to develop your knowledge of preventative health care for animals?
Do you have an empathy and understanding for animals in need and an ability to connect with people?
Do you want to learn how to deal with evolving and emergency situations involving both animals and their owners?
Maybe you wish to improve your diagnostic techniques and infection control methods to deliver evidence-based nursing?
You’ll gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of veterinary nursing by studying a wide range of subjects.
You’ll work with a range of animals, including, cats, dogs, exotics, wildlife, and large animals, with a year-long clinical placement with an approved training practice in year 3.
You’ll interact with a variety of people, including other veterinary professionals, owners and animal specialists.
“The practical sessions were really helpful for me… and I feel that’s really helped me to fit into working in practice.”
RCVS – FITNESS TO PRACTICE
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) was established in 1844 by Royal Charter to be the governing body of the veterinary profession. They safeguard the interests of the public and animals by ensuring that only those registered with them can carry out acts of veterinary surgery.
Successful completion of this degree and meeting fitness to practice requirements enables students to apply to register with RCVS and become Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) at graduation. The RCVS also maintains a record of postgraduation and CPD training.
Fitness to practice requires students and veterinary professionals to be of good character, be responsible and worthy of the trust and confidence of the public and their peers. Training includes ongoing review and development of these professional attributes.
In February 2015, a new Royal Charter brought professional recognition to veterinary nursing and confirms the RCVS as its regulator. A registered veterinary nurse commits to following the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and keeping their skills and knowledge up to date. If they fall short of their professional responsibilities, veterinary nurses may be subject to the RCVS disciplinary process.
KEY FACTS
BSc / BSc (HONS)
Progression courses:
• HNC / HND Animal Care
• Level 2 Diploma Patient Care Assistance*
* PDA Animal Science and Communication must also be completed.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
• Four Highers (BBBB) to include a literary subject (preferably English) and a science (biology, human biology, chemistry, or physics), plus National 5s (A-C) or equivalent in English, Maths and a Science.
• HNC or HND Animal Care as a direct progression route
• PCA along with the additional qualifications may also be considered along with National 5s (A-C) or equivalent in English, Science, and Maths.
A minimum of 140 hours (four weeks) of experience in a veterinary practice is required prior to application.
Any additional qualifications and/or work experience will also be advantageous when applying for this highly competitive degree.
STUDY MODES
This programme is full-time only.
WHAT’S THE DEGREE LIKE?
You will have the opportunity to develop a range of clinical skills required of a veterinary nurse. The programme aims to develop attributes of sound clinical judgement, a focus on high quality patient care considering welfare as a principal concern, and the ability to analyse a range of evidence in order to make effective clinical decisions. You will also spend time learning how to connect with owners and act professionally in the workplace.
The programme adheres to the RCVS Accreditation Standards, Day One Competences, Skills and Professional Behaviours, and is designed to develop your ability to work within the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses.
PLACEMENT
As an integral part of the award, to ensure graduates are eligible to be registered with RCVS as a veterinary nurse, students must complete the required clinical placement within an approved training veterinary practice.
Placements are provided within SRUC’s approved training practices (TP), though you may be placed within a TP linked to another Centre where there is a prior relationship between the student and practice, or the location is more suitable. Training practices are inspected to ensure that they meet RCVS standards and are maintaining a positive environment for the student.
DEGREE STRUCTURE
YEARS 1 AND 2
• 6-7 modules per year
• Approximately half day contact time per week per module
• Practical and theory assessments as well as end of semester exams.
YEAR 3 (CLINICAL PLACEMENT)
Your Year Tutor and clinical supervisors will keep in contact with you in practice through a variety of methods and will continue to provide personal reviews. The Internal Quality Assurer visits the practice and provides feedback on progression. Also include several days throughout the year to attend induction, tutorials, discuss experiences and sit examinations, including Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE’s) at the end of the year.
YEAR 4 (HONOURS YEAR)
• 6 modules
Year four is principally focussed on the honours project where you undertake a piece of research with the support and guidance of SRUC staff.
BLENDED
Our programme is practically based using active learning, where students are directly involved in the skill or procedure they are learning about. Where appropriate and very dependent on the topic being studied a blended delivery method will be utilised, meaning some classes may be online.
At the end of year two until the end of year three, a full calendar year is spent in a clinical placement within one of our approved veterinary practices. Blended learning continues with completion of an online Nursing Progress Log and academic learning, prior to returning to campus for the assessment of students’ clinical skills.
Year four features modules that develop deeper understanding of specialist skills in nursing, welfare, and ethics. There is a greater focus on the research area within veterinary nursing and includes a research driven honours project.
www.sruc.ac.uk/vetnursing
Students are required to pay an enrolment fee to the RCVS (currently £219 but subject to RCVS annual increase), at the start of the degree to be registered as Student Veterinary Nurses (SVN).
Students must also allow a budget of approximately £80-100 for uniform and PPE that must be worn whilst studying and on placement.
DEGREE CONTENT
The first year is about building the foundations in animal physiology, patient care and professional behaviours, that are fundamental to veterinary nursing.
YEAR 1 MODULES INCLUDE:
• Canine and Feline Anatomy & Physiology
• Veterinary Infection Control
• Introduction to Clinical Practice for Veterinary Nurses
• Essential Veterinary Patient Care
• Companion Animal Welfare & Behaviour for Veterinary Nurses
• Exotics & Wildlife Nursing
• Large Animal Healthcare
Year 2 builds on the teaching from year one with more specialised areas and techniques whilst also preparing students for their placements in year 3.
YEAR 2
MODULES INCLUDE:
• Advanced Veterinary Patient Care
• Veterinary Diagnostic Techniques
• Companion Animal Nutrition
• Small Animal Disease Conditions
• Veterinary Nursing Anaesthesia and Analgesia
• Veterinary Nursing Pharmacology
• Veterinary Nursing Clinical Practice 1
www.sruc.ac.uk/vetnursing
Third year is the clinical placement that begins following the conclusion of year 2 teaching through to the end of year 3 so students complete one calendar year within an approved training practice.
YEAR 3
MODULES INCLUDE:
• Veterinary Nursing Clinical Practice 2
• Veterinary Nursing Clinical Practice 3
• Research Skills and Data Analysis
• Professional Responsibility for Veterinary Nurses
Third year is spent working in an
Fourth year is the honours year and is an opportunity to carry out a study into an area of particular interest, with modules that develop deeper understanding of specialist skills in nursing, welfare and ethics.
