Level 3 Veterinary Nursing

Applications for this course (full time) are now closed as of 15 January 2021. Applications can still be made after this date for the block release course for applicants who are currently employed in a registered veterinary practice.

Location: Oatridge
Study mode: block release (3 years), full-time (3 years)
Start Date: September 2021
Duration: 2.5 years
Agency Code: ZO51,;

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Course overview

This course combines on-campus study with practical studies and placement sections to fully develop veterinary nursing skills.

Choose to study full-time on our Oatridge Campus in West Lothian. If you study at Oatridge you'll also benefit from placement experience at the Small Animal Hospital at Glasgow University Veterinary School.

All Practical training progress and assessment is recorded in an online Nursing Progress Log.

If you're certified and have successfully completed external exams, you can apply for registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS once you have completed the required number of training hours.

Application Deadlines

Applications for the full time course will close on Friday 15th January 2021. Applications can still be made after this date for the block release course for applicants who are currently employed in a registered veterinary practice.

Entry requirements

You'll have a minimum 5 National 5s (A-C) including English, Maths and Science, as well as a minimum of two weeks' work experience in a veterinary practice.

Additional Higher qualifications (e.g. maths or a science) and practical or animal-related work experience will help strengthen your application.

If you're already employed in an approved training practice, you'll be eligible to study the block release programme.

What you'll learn

This course covers a wide range of topics, from communication, lab techniques and preparing for professional registration to anatomy and physiology, infection control and practical veterinary nursing care.

You'll also learn about diagnostic imaging, the supply of veterinary medicines, anesthesia and nursing support for small animals.

Example modules include:

Applied Animal Welfare
Health & Husbandry for Veterinary Nurses
Infection Control in Veterinary Practice
Supporting the supply of Veterinary Medicines
Veterinary Operating Theatre Practice
Preparing for Professional Registration

Student experience

Meet Fay Carrison. She was delighted to be accepted into the Level 3 Diploma.

"I remember coming home from my first placement in a veterinary practice feeling like I had found my calling in life," she says. "I've been lucky enough to experience lambing and basic farm work, along with working in a referrals hospital.

"Working in practice three days a week allows us to build on what we've learned in class.

"I work alongside some of the most amazing people, get taught by knowledgeable and passionate tutors and my class is filled with inspirational, kind and supportive individuals."

"I work alongside amazing people, I'm taught by passionate tutors, my class is filled with inspirational individuals."

Fay Carrison

Meet the lecturer

Hazel Highet RVN, RSQP

Registered Veterinary Nurse- HND Veterinary Nursing

After gaining her HNC and HND in Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing, Hazel trained in a mixed practice in Kirkcudbright, before taking position as head nurse in a small animal practice in Dumfries.

She loves working with small animals, improving their welfare and offering preventative treatments that keep pets healthy and owners happy. This is a skill she especially enjoys sharing with students preparing to go into practice.

View Hazel's Pure profile

Karyn Grassick

Karyn has been a lecturer in Small Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing since 2006. Prior to this Karyn worked in veterinary practice in the Aberdeen area. As a qualified veterinary nurse Karyn does miss life in practice however is passionate about passing on knowledge to those who want to follow a career in caring for animals.

In 2021 Karyn is hoping to travel with Aberdeen campus students to Africa to take part in a 2 week work placement.

View Karyn's Pure profile

Wendy Rattray

A lecturer since 2016, Wendy holds an RVN A1

Wendy Rattray qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 1992. After training at a PDSA Clinic in Manchester, she returned home to Aberdeen where she worked in a private practice before joining the world of teaching in 2011.

Wendy has helped to develop our training materials across the Animal Care curriculum, and delivers theory and practical classes. She has also been known to bring her own pets for you to work with!

Brenda Nicol

Brenda is a Registered Veterinary Nurse who has worked in practice for the past 20 years and still carries out regular clinical work. Over the past twenty years, she has mainly worked with small animals but also has experience in equine and farm practice too. Brenda is particularly interested in internal medicine, emergency and critical care and nursing clinics.

Course Funding

Full-time students of C & G Level 3 Veterinary Nursing can apply for a Further Education Bursary.

Once you’ve accepted a place, we’ll email the bursary funding online application. Complete the application and return it along with any required documents. You should apply even if you're still waiting for exam results.

Tuition fees are waived for students who qualify for a bursary.

More information about funding your course

Find out more about your payment options for this course in our fees and funding section

Fees and funding

Other possible routes to funding

Care experienced bursary: Any care experienced students studying full time can apply for a bursary of around £202.50 per week. Find out more from our student funding teams at registryfunding@SRUC.ac.uk
Education Maintenance Allowance: Students between the ages of 16-19 who meet specific criteria may be entitled to an EMA. This means-tested allowance depends on the income of the home the student stays in.
Discretionary Fund
Childcare

Level 3 Veterinary Nursing

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