Veterinary Nursing with Small Animal Rehabilitation (with placement) (Hons) Harper Adams University

Overview

RVNs work alongside veterinary surgeons in order to provide a high standard of care for animals. Veterinary Nurses normally work within a veterinary surgery or veterinary hospital and are involved in a wide range of care and treatment.

Because of the vocational nature of the Veterinary Nursing with Small Animal Rehabilitation (with placement) (Hons) programme of Harper Adams University, the content is a balance between practical work (vital to gain the necessary experience to become a qualified nurse) and the intellectual skills needed for a degree. You will learn practical skills at Harper Adams via short block release completed during vacations and during the work placement year.

Students on these courses share a common curriculum for the first two years, studying the same modules, before spending their third year on placement. The focus of the first three years of the course is to equip students with the day one skills and competences required by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to practice as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).

Subjects will include veterinary physiology, professional skills of the veterinary nurse, companion animal management, anaesthesia and surgery, medical nursing, diagnostic imaging and disease diagnosis.

In the final year all routes share common subjects such as anaesthesia, critical care and surgical techniques. The specific Honours pathways will then allow students to specialise in their chosen field of study.

Careers

Veterinary nursing is a career with lots of job satisfaction and there is a strong demand for qualified veterinary nurses. Although primarily a companion animal qualification, the degree offers modules for those interested in other species, increasing the job opportunities available upon graduating. Accounting and management skills boost career development for degree students. The pharmaceuticals industry employs trained veterinary nurses. The degree also opens the door to wider opportunities concerning the health and welfare of animals.