Part-time Level 3 Diploma Veterinary Nursing with Bridgend College

Veterinary Nursing – Apprenticeship

About

This course is designed to offer successful candidates the opportunity to register with the RCVS as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) upon completion of the course, and all required hours completed in a veterinary practice (as specified by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). We offer Student Vet Nurse (SVN) training to those employed by a registered Training Veterinary Practice (TP) on a day release basis.

Duration
2 years

Level
Level 3 – Apprenticeship

Overview & Modules

The course runs for 2 years, with 1 day a week attendance at College, and the remaining 4 in practice. The course includes several exams, assignment work and the completion of a nursing progress log, which spans the full two years of training. Gaining this qualification enables you to register with the RCVS and legally carry out a fuller range of animal care duties in practice as an RVN.

Please note, we are unable to take learners who are volunteering at a practice, as you must be in paid employment.

Modules include:

Infection control in the veterinary practice
Applied animal welfare, health and husbandry
Functional anatomy for veterinary nursing practice
Principles of veterinary anaesthesia
Professional relationships and communication
Principles of small animal veterinary nursing emergency and critical care

We pride ourselves on our facilities at our Pencoed Campus, which include:

Dedicated small animal centre housing exotics, small furries, rodents, birds and fish
Large animals: pigs, alpacas, poultry and donkeys
Fully functioning equine yard
Dedicated Veterinary Nursing classroom and practical training room
Laboratory

These programmes are part financed by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed in a variety of ways:

2 synoptic online examinations in the first year, set by City & Guilds
One 3,500 word assignment in year 1
1 synoptic online examination in Year 2
4 assignments each with a 5,000 word count in year 2
3 centre based examinations
Completion of the work-based NPL over the 2 years of study
OSCE exams set remotely at the end of year 2

Entry requirements

5 GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent), which must include Maths, English and a Science
You must also be in full-time paid employment at a training veterinary practice
Under 25 years of age to be eligible for the apprenticeship scheme (If you are over the age of 25 you will still have access to the course, but you will be required to pay course fees)

Please note, if your practice is not a training practice, we can arrange an approval visit. You should also have a willing MRVCS or RVN to be your Clinical Coach in practice and aide in the completion of your nursing progress log (NPL).

Continue your studies

If you are successful in this course, you will be eligible to apply for a variety of Higher Education courses including Foundation Degrees, HNDs and BSc (Hons) courses at Bridgend College and other Higher Education institutions. You will be eligible to work as an RVN after registration with the RCVS upon completion of the course.