Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing

Course Level:Level 3/4

Course Duration:3 Years

Programme Aims

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has approved Bicton College’s student veterinary nursing small-animal pathway as a part-time programme. Successful completion of the framework qualification will result in students being able to work as an RCVS qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse. It aims to produce proficient nurses who are confident in their skills.

Entry Requirements

You will need to be 16 years of age or over and working within a Training Practice (TP) as an Apprentice or employed. In addition, in order to enrol, you will need to hold five GCSE passes at grade C or above. These must include English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject. Alternatively, you may have achieved the ABC Animal Nursing Assistant Certificate or the National Certificate for Veterinary Care Assistants. Other qualifications, such as the Level 3 National Diploma in Animal Management can be used as equivalents alongside a Level 2 Literacy and numeracy qualification. Suitability of these alternative qualifications can be confirmed on contact with Bicton College. In addition, your Initial Assessment results should show that you are working towards Level 2.  Entrance to the course is by interview, and will be subject to evidence of a TP placement.

Course Structure

The course is offered as a day release programme over 3 years; (1 day in College per week, 4 days in a work placement) each year will span 36 weeks, from September to June. After completion of year one and two, candidates will be entered in to the external RCVS exam(s) (held at Pearson Test Centres). On completion of the 3rd year, candidates will undertake RCVS external OSCE practical exams.

While in practice, an online Nursing Progress Log (NPL) will be completed, demonstrating competence in the nursing Occupational Standards.

To register as a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, you will also need to have completed a minimum of 60 weeks within a TP.

What you will study

Tuition will take the form of classroom lectures, demonstrations, practical classes, assignment work and module tests.

Each student will be assigned a Clinical Coach in Practice; both Clinical Coach and student will be supported by the visiting Veterinary Nursing Centre Training Officer and college-based Clinical Tutor.

Year 1 (Tuesdays)

Year 2 (Wednesday)

Year 3 (Friday TBC)

Assessment

All those entering the course will be registered with the RCVS on commencement of the course and as such will undertake unit assessments throughout the course in the form of written assignments and module tests. Learners will also complete an electronic NPL which is assessed in the workplace.

These, together with achievement of the written and practical examinations for the RCVS, will result in the achievement of the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and becoming an RVN.

All examinations and the NPL are regulated by the RCVS.

Progression

Successful learners will go on to work as veterinary nurses in general practice, specialist referral centres and rescue centres. There are also opportunities to work within education establishments, the wider veterinary industry such as feed and medicine manufacturers, or look to work abroad where, in many countries, the British Veterinary Nursing qualification is held in high regard and opportunities arise in the voluntary, charitable and commercial sectors.

Alternatively, individuals can approach HE course providers where Foundation Degrees or full Degrees are offered in Veterinary Nursing – acceptance will be down to the individual provider.