Veterinary Nurse Training at the AHT
The Centre For Small Animal Studies is an approved Veterinary Nurse training practice. We currently have 5 student nurses in training with us. In order to become a Veterinary Nurse a candidate must have 5 GCSEs between A-C that must include English, Mathematics and Science. Comparable qualifications are also accepted. The student must undertake formal teaching at an approved college either on day release or block release.
We pride ourselves in providing high quality training for our student nurses. Our trainees feel that everything that is in the VN syllabus is experienced on a daily basis here, so by the time their exams arrive they have seen and practised every nursing technique and used all of the equipment described in the syllabus. Even qualified nurses joining us are pleased to do something or see something that they may only have read about in books in the past. We try to mould our student nurses into all round professionals. Our student nurses benefit from the supervision of clinicians who are RCVS or European recognised specialists. Once a student nurse joins us we enrol them with the RCVS as a registered trainee. The student then has to complete a portfolio in the first year (S/NVQ level II) and sit external RCVS exams. The student needs to pass the portfolio and exams before entering the final year (S/NVQ level III).
The student must complete a second portfolio for level III before sitting the external level III written and practical exams. Once qualified the nurse is then entitled to use the post nominal letters of RVN (Registered Veterinary Nurse). Following qualification nurses can undertake the advanced diploma or a top-up nursing degree course. Listed below is an outline of the subjects nurses study and subsequently are examined in.
- Relationships and accountability in Veterinary Nursing Practice
- Health and safety in Veterinary Nursing Practice
- Applied Functional Anatomy for Veterinary Nursing Practice
- Maintaining Animal Health
- Essential Veterinary Nursing Skills
- Nursing support in the provision of veterinary services
- Application of Veterinary Nursing Care
- Principles and Practices of Diagnostics for Veterinary Nurses
- Pharmacology and Pharmacy support for Veterinary Nursing Practice
- Surgical Theatre Practice for Veterinary Nurses
- Supporting Anaesthesia in Veterinary Practice
Details of the subject content can be seen in the professional syllabus which can be viewed or downloaded from the RCVS website.
To see if we are currently recruiting for trainee veterinary nurse positions please review our current vacancies.
