Veterinary Degrees Online

The aim of this programme is to create and promote a high standard of professional expertise in animal care and nursing and to prepare students for a career as a veterinary nurse and in any other field in which animal technicians are employed.
Introduction

Introduction

Veterinary Nursing has come a long way from the previous perception that “Veterinary Nursing is a work of the heart”. It is now academically and technically challenging, extremely varied and rewarding occupation while still maintaining a caring and supportive role to animals and their owners.

Overview

The programme offers theoretical and practical education in animal structure and function, animal care and nutrition, medical and surgical nursing, theatre practice, anaesthesia, radiography, diagnostic procedures, intensive care, therapeutics emphasising the storage, handling and legislation of medications, disease and disease agents, animal welfare, business procedures and communication skills. The programme emphasises companion animals and horses but also includes small mammals, birds and production animals where appropriate.

Career opportunities

The Massey University Diploma in Veterinary Nursing is unique in New Zealand in that throughout the second year, students work alongside final year veterinary science students and clinical staff in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Massey University. The aim of this clinically-based teaching is to enable students to graduate with established practical skills that they can apply immediately in their place of employment.

The Massey University Diploma in Veterinary Nursing is one of two institutes in New Zealand that offers British equivalency by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. This means that graduates can automatically register as qualified veterinary nurses in Britain.

Veterinary nurses are increasingly important in veterinary practice, particularly in small animal (pet animal), equine and production animal practices. While veterinary practices have traditionally employed lay staff to assist in the work of the clinic in various ways, many are now seeking to employ qualified veterinary nurses to provide a much greater level of skill in the provision of specific nursing, diagnostic and client-related services.

A well-trained and qualified veterinary nurse is able expected to perform tasks such as radiography, collection and analysis of routine diagnostic samples, anaesthetic monitoring and other operating theatre duties and provide high quality nursing care to hospitalised patients in areas such as intensive care, post-operative patient management and physical therapy. An increasingly important role for veterinary nurses is in the provision of client services such as helping dog-owners to socialise their puppies and providing information on general care.

Other potential areas of employment include working as sales representatives in veterinary-related industries, kennel and cattery management and providing technical support for veterinary research.

Introduction

In the near future some veterinary nursing graduates will not be sufficiently academically prepared to meet the increasing intellectual demands for supporting veterinary medicine that are currently arising as veterinary medicine advances with examples of such advances including digital radiography and ultrasonography. In addition the animal industries have seen significant production advances in the past 10 years and an increase of compliance regulations and technological changes. The skills and knowledge of veterinary nursing graduates needs to evolve and advance with the veterinary and agricultural industries.

The new degree in veterinary technology will allow advancement from a Diploma level Veterinary Nurse, to a Bachelors degree level in Veterinary Technology and will open opportunities in the veterinary industry, the agricultural industry such as animal health technologists and/or herd health managers who work alongside veterinarians to ensure that farmers institute herd health plans. Veterinary technology graduates will be viewed as relevant and of value to the future of veterinary medical practice and the agricultural animal industries.

Career opportunities

Veterinary technologists are utilised in government agencies as well as the veterinary industry where they complement the role of the veterinarian. A veterinary technology degree will equip graduates with the attributes of critical thinking, problem solving, and independent learning, preparing them for supervisory, and management positions.

Example areas of career opportunities for veterinary technologists with BVT degree include:

- clinic staff supervisors or hospital managers
- animal behaviour advisors to clients about problem pets
- specialty practice technologists (ie, dermatology, surgery, internal medicine, critical case care, etc)
- biomedical research technologists and laboratory animal managers
- instructors in veterinary nursing /technology programs and veterinary school hospitals
- herd health technologists on food animal, poultry, or equine farms
- pharmaceutical sales and marketing representatives
- health technologists in zoos, animal control or humane societies
- food or livestock inspectors for government agencies
- zoo veterinary hospital or wildlife rehabilitation technologists
- marketing and/or teaching roles in veterinary organizations and practices

Veterinary Technology (VETT) prepares students with knowledge and skills necessary to provide general veterinary nursing care and technical
assistance in the varied disciplines found in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery. These include nurse anesthetist, operating room
technician, radiology technician, dental hygienist, medical laboratory technician, as well as clinical and practice management. The program is
recognized by the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and is currently preparing for accreditation evaluation by the American
Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. Students that complete the program are qualified
to sit for state and national licensing examinations and enter into practice as a licensed veterinary technician. The Veterinary Technology
Program has entered into a unique partnership with the Western Veterinary Conference that allows sharing of resources such as facilities, equipment,
and educational opportunities to augment the student’s learning experience. This partnership also makes available nationally and internationally
recognized Doctors of Veterinary Medicine that act as visiting instructors in many disciplines. Entrance requirements into this
Certificate program require documented 4,000 hours work experience in a veterinary practice.

Veterinary Technology (VETT) prepares students with knowledge and skills necessary to provide general veterinary nursing care and technical
assistance in the varied disciplines found in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery. These include nurse anesthetist, operating room
technician, radiology technician, dental hygienist, medical laboratory technician, as well as clinical and practice management. The program is
recognized by the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), 1931 N. Meacham Rd., Suite 100,
Schaumburg, IL 60173, (800) 248-2862. Students that complete the program are qualified to sit for state and national licensing examinations
and enter into practice as a licensed veterinary technician. The Veterinary Technology Program has entered into a unique partnership with the
Western Veterinary Conference that allows sharing of resources such as facilities, equipment, and educational opportunities to augment the student’s
learning experience. This partnership also makes available nationally and internationally recognized Doctors of Veterinary Medicine that
act as visiting instructors in many disciplines.

Veterinary Science provides world-class veterinary and para-veterinary education. Its programmes focus on improving maintenance of animal health, welfare, production, veterinary public health and the conservation of natural resources, thereby developing the welfare of communities in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Faculty’s track record for conducting innovative and ethically approved research through centres of excellence is internationally recognised.

GENERAL
The degree programme structure for Veterinary Science was changed to a 3-year BSc degree programme followed by a 4-year BVSc degree programme. The BSc programme is custom-made for Veterinary Science and is offered by the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria. The BVSc degree programme is offered by the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Onderstepoort.

LANGUAGE MEDIUM
Lectures are only presented in English in both these programmes.

UP ADMISSIONS TEST
The UP Admission Test is not applicable to applicants to the University Diploma in Veterinary Nursing.

* Kindly note that the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing is under review with the purpose of upgrading the qualification to a 3-year BSc degree. Inquiries can be directed to Tel +27 (0)12 529 8061 or +27 (0)12 529 8476.

** Note that the subject Life Orientation is not included when calculating APS.

SELECTION
Both programmes involve selection procedures based on academic merit and an interview, if required.

Selection for the BVSc degree will take place after the successful completion of all the first and secondyear modules of BSc(Veterinary Biology) for admission to the third year. Students who are selected to continue with the third year of Veterinary Biology may continue with the BVSc programme if they complete their third year successfully. The total number of students in the BVSc degree programme will be restricted to 135 students.

A started in the 2007/08 are activated two distinct lines:
Guidance Veterinary Assistant
Hygiene and health guidance for food of animal origin

The study plan of the first year is common to the two guidelines.
Students will choose their orientation at the time of the second year.
The guidelines of the previous academic year are exhausted, the years turned up to the subscribers of outdoor 2006/07 are the 2nd and 3rd.
FEATURES AND PURPOSE ‘OF COURSE

The course of study is directed towards the acquisition of knowledge of basic biological and applied regarding the anatomy and physiology of animal species, and then move on to the study of microbiology, general pathology, infectious and parasitic diseases, sufficient to describe the main diseases of animals and breeding condition. As for the orientation “Veterinary Assistant”, such knowledge is complemented by concepts of veterinary legislation, pharmacology and toxicology, diet and food hygiene, veterinary nursing techniques and surgical clinics, reproduction, ethology, breeding and feeding the dog and cat, cytology and histopathology. Training is supplemented by laboratory courses to acquire skills in the conduct of specific diagnostic tests. With regard to the guidance “Health and hygiene of food of animal origin” such knowledge is complemented by concepts of legislation on animal products, pharmacology and toxicology, veterinary pathological anatomy, inspection, processing and quality control of products of animal origin . Training in this approach also provides laboratory courses to acquire skills in specific tests for food quality control.
With this end, the course prepares graduates with:
basic knowledge in the scientific disciplines relevant to the vocational training
knowledge of the principles of anatomy, physiology, general pathology, microbiology, epidemiology of infectious and parasitic diseases of domestic animals
knowledge of plans for prevention, as well as national health legislation and community
skills in the management of hygiene and health of farm animals
skills of veterinary hygiene and health and quality of animal products
skills of veterinary hygiene and health and quality of food for animals
application skills of pathology of the reproduction of artificial insemination
knowledge of the basic principles of nutrition, feeding and breeding of animals for disease;
knowledge of the issues of the environmental impact of livestock farming and processing industries
control of all aspects of the quality of productive animals
knowledge of diagnostic procedures in general pathology and immunology, pathological anatomy (with histopathology and citopatologia) and in the diagnosis of infectious and parasitic diseases
GUIDANCE “VETERINARY ASSISTANT”

The degree course aims to prepare graduates who are capable of operating in the technical management of stock and hygienic condition of the animals and also to carry out activities within the diagnostic laboratories and analysis of veterinary interest.
PROFESSIONAL MARKETS

The graduate is able to carry out:
breeding animals of illness, with particular reference to technical management, hygiene, genetic improvement, nutrition, legislation, welfare, education behavioral
kennels, shelters and protective associations, acting as technical management of toilet facilities and the Environment, in collaboration with the veterinary surgeon, as part of its powers
veterinary medical support to the activities of nursing
laboratory, its inherent powers
ORIENTATION: HEALTH AND HYGIENE ‘FOOD ANIMAL ”

The degree course aims to prepare graduates who will perform professional activities in the areas of sanitation management and quality of products in enterprises of production, processing and marketing of animal products for health and welfare of animals reared of veterinary public health, veterinary laboratory techniques, activity planning, supervision and verification of safety and sanitary quality of animal products. It can also work in laboratories where it is found the quality of animal products.
PROFESSIONAL MARKETS

The graduate is able to carry out:
sanitation control of animal products, in compliance with quality standards for the implementation of the certification of livestock products in enterprises
support and cooperation in the veterinary surgeon and the NHS
self-dealing in plant foods of animal origin;
perform auxiliary functions of the veterinary surgeon to ensure the tasks of verification of the ‘self’, the audit, the ante-and post-mortem.
laboratory, its inherent powers

Entry requirements
You will need 120 points including one science A-level or Applied A-level (preferably in Biology) and five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English, Maths and Science. A National Diploma qualification in a science subject may be considered.

All prospective students must have obtained at least two weeks work experience in one or more veterinary practices before being invited to attend an admissions interview. Please reference all work experience in your personal statement when applying.

Applications are encouraged from mature students.

Reasons to choose this course
It is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
We offer access to a brand new veterinary nursing building on campus to support the course.
You will gain work experience in veterinary practices throughout the course.

About the course
The course integrates work experience in a veterinary training practice with the underpinning teaching at the University. These work placements are incorporated throughout the three year course with placements from three to 26 weeks and allow you to complete the National Occupational Standards.

The newly built veterinary nursing building contains a simulated veterinary practice to give you the practical ‘know-how’ on vital veterinary nursing procedures and the adjoining new animal unit will allow you plenty of handling practice of a wide range of species.

Assessment
Assessment will be via a combination of written and practical university exams and assignments, together with an external examination by the RCVS. Students will also complete a portfolio of evidence within the workplace, which is assessed externally.

Progression
Successful graduates may have the opportunity to fast track to the third year of a BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing qualification by attending a summer school.

Your future career
Students successfully achieving the Certificate in Veterinary Nursing may be entered onto the registered list of qualified veterinary nurses, which is held by the RCVS. Students can then use the post-nominal letters VN and are qualified to give animals medication and perform acts of minor surgery under veterinary direction.

UCD Veterinary medicine enjoys a long and proud tradition. For generations a large proportion of veterinary practitioners in Ireland have come through our MVB Programme, while other graduates have applied the knowledge and experience gained in our school throughout the world. We also have excellent programmes of education in veterinary nursing, specialist veterinary medicine, and graduate research.

The close ties which our students develop with staff as undergraduates translate into lasting links with our alumni. In 2002, UCD Veterinary Medicine received a major boost when we moved to our new, purpose-designed Veterinary Sciences Centre and Veterinary Hospitals on the UCD campus at Belfield, funded in part by generous donations from our graduates. We now justifiably count ourselves as among the “premier league” of vet schools in Europe.

Our state-of-the-art facilities and position on the campus of a major research-intensive university, and as part of the UCD College of Life Sciences, allows us to push back the frontiers of knowledge in veterinary research, thus advancing animal health, animal welfare, and human health. This research informs our educational programmes, ensuring that all of our students, whether studying to be veterinary nurses, veterinarians, veterinary specialists, or for advanced research degrees, recieve an excellent education.