Veterinary Nursing BSc Honours

The three year course blends 50% on placement in veterinary practices with 50% theory. You will study the concepts that underpin professional veterinary nursing practice and gain essential nursing knowledge. The anatomical, biomedical and physiological principles related to animal health and caring are also studied, and you will explore and debate current issues affecting veterinary practice, and the role of the professional nurse within this.

You will study the following modules:

Year 1

Introduction to Professional Issues

This module provides students with the theoretical underpinning knowledge relating to the health and safety within the practice environment. It also includes a broad foundation for communication and study skills which will stay as a lifelong skill for the Veterinary Nurse in practice, as well as providing an insight into ethics, legal theories and professional issues.

Essentials of Nursing Care

This core module will provide students with the theoretical underpinning knowledge relating to the care of kennelled and breeding animals, observation, nutrition and care of the hospitalised patient and first aid (relating to animals). Theory and legislation relating to practice organisation and ethics, pharmacy and dispensing is also included in this module to provide students with a broad foundation for their practical placements in veterinary practice.

Veterinary Nursing Practice

During this core module students will undertake two blocks of practice experience, each 14 weeks in length, totalling 28 weeks in practice. (taught via External Practice placement) Animal Science An introduction to physiology and anatomy which is fundamental to understanding the biological processes occurring in dogs, cats, equines and exotics. Students will also develop their practical skills in identifying key anatomical features and landmarks required in their day to day nursing practice.

Year 2

Clinical Nursing

This module aims to build upon the Basic Nursing Care module taught in the first year. Students will learn more specialised techniques in nursing and will also develop skills in helping to support clients in caring for their unwell pets.
Pathology for Veterinary Nurses This module provides an understanding of some of the body's responses to disease processes, trauma, and the pathological changes which occur in illness and which inform the planning and assessment of client care. This module is science based and incorporates approximately 50% laboratory based work. The module covers the following areas: general pathology, clinical pathology and an overview of diseases in different organ systems.

Theatre Practice

The aim of this module is to teach the principles of theatre practice in a practical context, using the NPL as a tool for recording competence. A range of resources will be provided online to assist with your knowledge. Participation in all activities is compulsory and time should be allocated during the day and in the student's own time, to complete this work. Students will undertake two blocks of practice experience, one 10 weeks long and the other 14 weeks, totalling 24 weeks in practice.

Approaches to Health and Social Care Research

This module introduces students of health and social care related subjects to the process of health and social care research. It is a professional requirement for those working in health and social care related disciplines to underpin their knowledge with research and evidence based practice. Professionals need to be able to access research findings, and through an understanding of the research process and methodology, be able to critique research and apply this knowledge to practice. The aim of this core module is to develop the students' awareness of the research process and to equip them with the skills required in the subject area appropriate to their target award and to offer some preparation for the final year project/dissertation

Year 3

Pharmacology

The aim of this module is to build on knowledge gained throughout the programme in order to develop an understanding of some basic pharmacological principles and their application to patient care. In addition, to facilitate the acquisition of relevant practical skills in order to produce practitioners who are safe and competent in the administration of drugs.
Principles of Imaging and Anaesthesia This module enables individuals to build on their current knowledge, skills and experience within the surgical area. The module will cover surgical nursing, anaesthesia, radiography and triage. The module will incorporate the relevant sections of the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Day One Skills. Students will undertake one block of 14 weeks practice experience.

Dissertation

This module aims to synthesise learning from the students' undergraduate Nursing programme providing an opportunity for students to study independently and investigate a topic in depth. It fosters academic curiosity; an inquiry based approach, the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. Students will select a topic of personal interest they wish to study further and will manage their own learning during this module, with the support of an allocated supervisor for this period of independent study.

Choose one optional module from the following:

Equine Nursing

This elective module provides the necessary understanding and experience required for nursing in equine practice or other areas of equine work. Horses are uniquely susceptible to a variety of illnesses and injuries that require skilled nursing management. Working with horses requires specific skills in restraint, handling and management. An insight into the equine industry and people involved at various levels will also be approached. The module aims to allow development of the necessary knowledge and skills in theory and practice sessions.

Management and Business

The aims of this elective module are to enable veterinary nurses to play a key role through a process of critical reflection and planned action in developing managerial competence within the veterinary practice through: the establishment, maintenance and improvement of the quality of veterinary nursing they provide; the use of a problem solving approach for effective nursing management and leadership; the awareness, control and monitoring of the use of appropriate veterinary care resources for quality and effective nursing management

Animal Behaviour and Training

The aim of this elective module is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills required for the understanding of behavioural problems presented to the typical small animal veterinary practice.

Nursing Exotics and Wildlife

This elective module analyses the concepts of housing, handling, husbandry and environment of exotics and wildlife to include 10 of each species i.e. Birds, reptiles and mammals. It will equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience required for nursing wildlife and exotics. Working with wildlife requires specific skills in restraint, handling and management whilst working within the constraints of legal requirements.

Professional Development

This elective module aims to prepare the Veterinary Nurse for clinical practice and to deepen understanding and promote critical appreciation of the theories of learning and principles of teaching to enable effective facilitation and assessment of a variety of learners within the clinical field. It will draw upon the concepts of reflection, nursing models and the VN's role in teaching and assessing in clinical practice.

The majority of teaching is delivered during classroom and practical sessions on campus, the remainder is delivered via online learning. Online modules are to be completed during placement blocks alongside NPL (Nursing Progress Log).

What will you gain?

You will develop the skills to be an independent professional who is able to make decisions, show leadership and work effectively in teams within a veterinary environment. Upon graduation you will be able to demonstrate a range of practical skills and techniques to implement successful veterinary nursing care.

Campuses

This programme is now available in London and Leeds. From September 2016, it will also be available in Huntingdon. For information about Huntingdon and Leeds, please read below.

Our course is run in collaboration with The College of Animal Welfare, the UK's largest veterinary nurse training provider.

The programme delivery, structure and assessment will be the same for all students, regardless of which location you choose to study at.

Huntingdon

The College of Animal Welfare, Headland House, Chord Business Park, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2BQ

• 2 miles from Huntingdon town centre
• 18 miles from Cambridge city centre

The Huntingdon campus is located at

The College of Animal Welfare. The campus has excellent transport links for students; being only half a mile away from the A14 and a few miles from the A1 for those travelling by car, and within walking distance of both the bus and train station (London Kings Cross line). There is free, on site parking, subject to availability.

Students studying at this location will ideally live within a commutable distance of the campus. A travel bursary of up to £1,000 per year is available towards the costs of attending placement. If you will be moving to the area, you will be offered help in sourcing local accommodation.

The College of Animal Welfare has significantly invested in its technology and facilities over the recent years; providing fully equipped computer suites, an extensive eLibrary and dedicated clinical skills suite that will allow you to develop your practical skills in areas such as anaesthesia, theatre, laboratory and radiography.

Leeds

The College of Animal Welfare, Topcliffe Close, Capitol Park, Tingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, WF3 1DR

• 2 miles from White Rose Shopping Centre
• 6 miles from Leeds city centre

The Leeds campus is located at

The College of Animal Welfare near Tingley. There is good main road access, being located just off of junction 28 of the M62 and the campus is only a 15 minute drive from Leeds city centre. A bus to Leeds city centre is a few minutes' walk from the campus. There is free, on site parking, subject to availability.

Students studying at this location will ideally live within a commutable distance of the campus. A travel bursary of up to £1,000 per year is available towards the costs of attending placement. If you will be moving to the area, you will be offered help in sourcing local accommodation.

The College of Animal Welfare has significantly invested in its technology and facilities over the recent years; providing a fully equipped computer suite, an extensive eLibrary and dedicated clinical skills suite that will allow you to develop your practical skills in areas such as anaesthesia, theatre, laboratory and radiography.