Veterinary Nursing - Small Animal - Level 3 - Part-Time

Our new veterinary nursing diploma is ideal for someone who is unable to find employment in a veterinary practice or looking to self-fund their training. Those who are being offered an apprenticeship with their employer should apply for our apprenticeship programme here. The course is currently limited to those aged 19 and above.

Veterinary nurses are registered professionals and work within the scope and standards of practice as defined by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Nurses carry out technical work and their skills include undertaking a wide range of diagnostic tests, medical treatments and minor surgical procedures, under veterinary direction.

What will I do on this course?

By the end of this course, you'll have gained knowledge and clinical skills for the veterinary nursing of small animals. While there are only five units, you'll learn about all the following topics:

• animal husbandry and welfare
• daily practice
• nursing care plans
• preparing for professional registrations
• cell structure
• central nervous system and associated nursing
• infection control
• musculoskeletal system and associated nursing
• skin, wound care and bandaging
• body fluids, homeostasis and fluid therapy
• circulatory system and associated nursing
• urinary system and associated nursing
• medicines and dispensary management
• first aid and emergency / critical care
• respiratory system
• digestion, nutrition and feeding
• reproduction and breeding
• endocrine system and associated nursing
• pain management
• diagnostic imaging
• anaesthesia
• operating theatre management and nursing care

How will the course be delivered?

The course will be delivered over two years and there will be a total of five modules/units of study. All students will have to complete the OSCEs that are required as the endpoint assessment for the qualification. The course will be taught one day per week with blocks of clinical placement.

You will need:

• Five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above including English language, science and maths

You will need a work placement in a veterinary nursing setting to complete this course but our team will support you with this.

This course is currently only for adult (19+) learners.

How long is this course?

2 years

When does this course start?

09/09/2024

How many hours / days per week is this course?

This course will run from 9am - 5pm each Tuesday (one day per week). The day may change for the second year.

Fee information

Adult (19+) learners

Depending on your age, course, educational history and personal circumstances, there may be options available for you to receive a course fully-funded by the government. Our fee calculator will help give you an idea on whether you'll be able to have your course fee waived or covered by an Advanced Learner Loan.

Complete our fee calculator

Learners with an active Education, Health & Care Plan

If you are aged 19 - 24 at the start of your course and have an active Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), any course up to and including level 3 will be fully-funded by the government. This means you will not have a course fee to pay and any equipment considered essential to complete your course will be provided by the college.

What qualification will I achieve?

LANTRA Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing

How is my course assessed?

Each of our five modules have an end of unit exam. These are a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions.

All students must completed a National Progress Log (NPL) whilst in practice.

A final endpoint assessment (OSCE exam) must be completed once all the written exams and NPL have been passed.

All assessments are externally written and externally marked and moderated.