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Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing

Veterinary Nursing > Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing

Veterinary
Course Duration

2.5 years

Course Location

Greenmount Campus

Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing

The VetSkill VTEC Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (CA) course is designed for those working in practice to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Upon successful completion of the qualification students can complete their enrolment with the RCVS and practice as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). To apply to this course applicants must gain employment in a CAFRE approved training practice.

Course Entry Requirements

Applicants at the time of entry to the course must:

– Have at least five GCSE passes at Grade C or above including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject.

– Be at least 16 years old on or before 1st July in the year in which they wish to enrol.

– Have completed 3 months or 400 hours work experience in a veterinary practice.

– Be employed in a CAFRE approved training practice. A list of current approved veterinary practices in Northern Ireland can be found by clicking here. It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure employment within an approved practice, CAFRE is not involved in the employment process.

If you have already completed Level 2 Veterinary Nursing qualification you have already met the work experience requirements for this course.

If places are oversubscribed minimum entry criteria may be enhanced and date of application may be considered. Applicants will be allocated a place based on the points achieved at GCSE/Level 2 equivalents only.

Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Foundation Level are not considered as meeting entry requirements for CAFRE programmes.  If you require guidance on entry qualifications please email the Key Contact for this course.

International student applications

All international qualifications presented for entry must be officially translated into English with a notorised stamp.
International qualifications not taught and assessed in English may be acceptable provided they are supported by proof of competence in the English Language by holding IELTS at a minimum score of 6.0 or recognised equivalent.

Course content

The course covers cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Year 1

  • Principles of veterinary nursing care 1
  • Diagnostic principles
  • Pharmacology and dispensary management
  • Professional veterinary nursing responsibilities

Year 2

  • Principles of veterinary nursing care 2
  • Professional veterinary nursing responsibilities
  • Life stage and medical nursing care and support
  • Surgical nursing and patient care

Year 2.5

  • Anaesthesia and theatre nursing skills

Students will attend College up to a 2 ½ year period, during which, students will be required to attend Greenmount Campus one day per week. Students will aim to gain full RCVS registration within 3 years.

Students will not incur Awarding Body or Tuition fees. Students or their employment will pay for RCVS registration fees and examination resit fees, if applicable.

Modules are assessed through online multiple choice examinations, written assignments and an online e-portfolio of Clinical Skills. The final assessed component of the course is a clinical examination (OSCE). OCSEs will take place once a year in NI and three times a year in GB. Students who choose take OCSEs NI will not have to pay fees. Students who choose to take this examination in GB will have to pay travel and fee costs.

Attendance at College is supported by employment in a CAFRE approved training practice throughout the course duration. Only when all components of the course are successfully completed are individuals eligible to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses. To become a registered veterinary nurse students must successfully complete both the clinical employed period as a student nurse and the college based components of the course.

Work placement

When not attending College, individuals are employed in a CAFRE approved training practice during which time they work on completing their online e-portfolio of Clinical Skills and developing practical veterinary nursing competence. Students should be working 35-40 hours per week, including 6 hours in college.

Course Progression

Embedded within this qualification is the content required for a Student Veterinary Nurse to become a
Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) for Companion Animals.

This course provides individuals with the opportunity to progress on to a Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing or a top-up Veterinary Nursing degree.

If you would like a better understanding of the role of a Veterinary Nurse watch this video created by Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

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      Course validated by:

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      Claire Morris

      Key Contact

      Claire Morris
      Senior Lecturer

      Claire.Morris@daera-ni.gov.uk

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