A Career as a Veterinary Nurse

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Continued Professional Development


After passing the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Certificate, many nurses decide to abstain from studying for a while and concentrate on the practical aspect of their jobs. However, continued professional development (CPD) is not only encouraged, but also necessary to keep up to date with new developments within the veterinary profession.

Currently there is no mandatory CPD level which nurses must achieve, unlike veterinary surgeons who must attain a certain number of 'points1' per year. Although the BVNA has issued a portfolio which nurses can use to monitor and record their CPD involvement on a voluntary basis.

Schedule 3 ammendmants to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 mean that listed veterinary nurses2 are now able to perform a wider range of procedures and so the need for further training in some areas has been recognised . This also helps distinguish more experienced nurses from the newly qualified nurses, which were previously all are covered by the title 'Veterinary Nurse' with no degree of experience and knowledge recognition.***

Further training will increase job satisfaction, greater respect by work colleagues and lead to more career opportunities.

Many courses are the modular correspondance type with only a few residential blocks, as nurses need to fit them around full time employment. Whilst most employers are very supportive of further training, on a practical level, nurses cannot be spared from the day to day duties in a veterinary practice to attend day release or part time courses.

RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing


All candidates must be listed veterinary nurses enrolled with the BVNA, with at least two years post qualification experience gained in an approved training practice - one of which must be gained after attending the residential course.

****OU also recognises dippy as 120 level 1 points or 60 level 2 points*

Core Subjects

  • Anaesthesia
  • Intensive Care Nursing
  • Radiography
  • Legislation and Ethics
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Pharmacology, Toxicolgy and Therapeutics

Advanced Surgical Nursing Elective

  • Surgical Procedures
  • Surgical Conditions and Intraoperative Management
  • Pre and Post Operative Nursing care
  • Theatre Practice
  • Instrumentation and Sterelisation

Advanced Medical Nursing Elective

  • Laboratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Diagnostics
  • Medical Conditions and Nursing Care

Diploma in Dermatology


A course initially created by the
PDSA3 as a Certificate in Dermatology, this course has now been upgraded to diploma level in association with the BVNA.

The course involves a three day residential course followed by a modular correspondance course and two further three day residential courses. ********At least one year of the two years full time experience (or equivalent amount of part time) must be gained after the residential course.

It is advised that a minimum of 10 dermatolgy cases a week should be seen in practice to allow for a varied enough case load to complete the course. It is studied over an 18 month period.



All candidates must be listed veterinary nurses

Certificate in Dentistry


In November of 2002, this certificate was launched due to the increasing level of dental work being performed by VNs.

With the help of leading specialists in veterinary dentistry, this course has been developed to improve knowledge in both the theory and practical aspects of dentistry.

The course, lasting a year, involves keeping diaries and recording 'case studies', in addition to some course work. Attendance of three 2 day residential courses. These will all contribute towards the final assessment mark.


The modules deal mostly with canine and feline dentistry.
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the head and dentition
  • Aetiology and pathogenesis of dental diseases
  • Assimilation of dental diagnostic information
  • Dental Treatment
  • Health and Saftey

All candidates must be listed veterinary nurses.





referral work including root canal treatment, vital pulpotomy treatment, brace fittings, crown fits as well as mandibulectomy and maxillectomy surgery.

Companion Animal Behaviour Course


Leading animal behaviouralist Sara Heath has helped in the development of this course and also lectures to the students.
Study of this course is fairly flexible. It is a modular course, and each module is studied over a one day period, and can be attended individually or two can be combined over a weekend. There are several of these weekend seminars each year. A total of four modules must be completed with an examination at the end.

Dogs and cats - understanding the difference
  • Canine domestication
  • Feline domestication
  • Canine social systems and communication
  • Feline social systems and communication
  • Video clips and discussion
  • Communication games
  • Normal behaviours as they relate to behaviour problems
The front line approach to behavioural problems
  • Nurses on the front line
  • Can I help you?
  • The communication challenge
  • Let's communicate
  • Prevention - the first line of defence
  • Legislation and liability - knowing your limitations
  • Getting the message across
Common canine conundrums - a common sense approach
  • Learning theory as it relates to behaviour therapy
  • Control problems at home and away
  • Anxieties, fears and phobias
  • Canine aggression
  • Rank problems
  • Puppy parties - the practicalities
Frequent feline foibles - a common sense approach
  • Bonding problems
  • House-soiling problems
  • Fears, phobias and anxiety related problems
  • Feline aggression
  • Bizarre behaviours
  • Case histories

Pharmacy Management for Veterinary Nurses

Veterinary sugeons have the responsibility to prescribe treatment for patients, and unlike doctors, have their own 'in-house' pharmacy

4.

Usually a veterinary nurse will prepare and dispense these medicines but the need for specialised training in this area has been recognised.

The BVNA has worked with the

National Open College Network (NOCN) to ensure the quality of both the course and the course providers.


Depending on the individual course provider or college, there are a number of ways to study; day release, block release, evening study or distance learning.


The course is split into 10 units:

  • Biology
  • Chemical sciences
  • Microbiology
  • Physiology
  • Drugs for medical conditions
  • Drugs acting on co-ordinating systems
  • Drugs and their uses
  • Pharmacy law and practice
  • Pharmacy practice
  • Pharmaceutics

The course takes about a year to complete, depending on the choice of study option.

City and Guilds

Small Animal Nutrition


This is an open learning course that lasts 40 weeks, with an examination at the end. It covers nutritional requirements of companion animals including exotics. As well as calculating basic metabollic requirements of healthy animal, you are taught nutritional requirements of convalescing and debilitated patients, feeding of diseased animals and those with organ damage - such as a low protein diet for animals with renal impairement.

Nursing of Exotic Species


Qualified veterinary nurses working in a general exotic based veterinary practice in the UK with a minimum exotic case load of 10%. nursing exotic pets from reptiles to avian both medically and surgically. Open learning, course lasting 40 weeks with an examination at the end.



Anyone may study the course, but only qualified veterinary nurses are permitted to sit the examination.

Veterinary Practice Administration

Veterinary Practice Management

Marketing

Marketing and practice management are some of the career opportunities available to nurses. However, some nurses enjoy having a small involvement in this area whilst continuing their regular nursing duties.

As part of a 'marketing team', nurses can help ensure that clients not only receive up to date information on all products and treatments, but that all services and facilities are meeting the needs of patient and owner. Organising open days and contributing to websites, creating practice brochures, information leaflets and a monthly or quarterly newsletter are all part of this.

COMMERCIALLY ORGANISED COURSES

Walthams Pet Health Councillor

Hills Veterinary Healthcare Advisor

Hills Nutritional Advisor Program


5 levels of the Hill’s Nutritional Advisor Program


SCAS 'Offering Support In Pet Bereavement'

A units****D32/33/34 Units

BSc in Veterinary Nursing

*poss mention re hnd and diploma in animal care although not direct access to or equiv of vn course


equine nursingwinter 2001/2002 taken 3 pass 3 100%

winter 2002 taken 1 pass 1 100%

UNDER CONSTRUCTION


Traditionally, there were very little career opportunities for veterinary nurses, once qualified, they continued working as nurses in practice. But as the capabilities of experienced nurses increases more opportunities have arisen. Ambitious nurses are keen to use the skills gained as a nurse and further their careers.

Head Nurse


Senior nurses can become a head nurse/nursing manager of a practice. The position holds a great deal of responsibility and covers everything from staff management to authorising overtime payments.
Whilst some duties can be delegated to other senior nurses within the practice, it is the head nurses responsibilty to ensure the smooth running of the practice.

Staff Management

Stock Control

Health and Safety

Clinical Nursing

Equipment Management

Liaise with Partners

Troubleshoot

Accounts and Money Management


***organise staff rotas and holidays, overtime payments, staff employment and work experience. computerised records and accounts


Nursing Positions

University Positions

Charity Work

Working Abroad

Locum Nursing

Research


drug trials, valuable insight into the work involved in bringing a new drug onto the market.

Private Partnership

Other Related Career Options

Practice Management

Pharmaceuical Representative

Lecturing




Internal Links



BBC links


External Links

UNDER CONSTRUCTION


Traditionally, there were very little career opportunities for veterinary nurses, once qualified, they continued working as nurses in practice. But as the capabilities of experienced nurses increases more opportunities have arisen. Ambitious nurses are keen to use the skills gained as a nurse and further their careers.

Head Nurse


Senior nurses can become a head nurse/nursing manager of a practice. The position holds a great deal of responsibility and covers everything from staff management to authorising overtime payments.
Whilst some duties can be delegated to other senior nurses within the practice, it is the head nurses responsibilty to ensure the smooth running of the practice.

Staff Management

Stock Control

Health and Safety

Clinical Nursing

Equipment Management

Liaise with Partners

Troubleshoot

Accounts and Money Management


***organise staff rotas and holidays, overtime payments, staff employment and work experience. computerised records and accounts


Nursing Positions

University Positions

Charity Work

Working Abroad

Locum Nursing

Research


drug trials, valuable insight into the work involved in bringing a new drug onto the market.

Private Partnership

Other Related Career Options

Practice Management

Pharmaceuical Representative

Lecturing




Internal Links



BBC links


External Links
1Courses are allocated points depending on the length of the course and level of the training or lecture.2Nurses who have registered with the RCVS and have their name entered on the RCVS List of Veterinary Nurses.3Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals4In compliance with the The Medicines Act 1968 and the Medicines (Restrictions on Administration of Veterinary Medicinal Products) Regulations 1994. Currently a report is being conducted reviewing regulations to bring them in line with the European Union.

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