Veterinary Nursing Science (final year top-up) BSc (Hons) drafted

Program Overview

This top-up degree for Veterinary Nursing graduates enhances critical thinking and reflection skills, deepens understanding of global veterinary medicine and its impact on animal health, and provides advanced knowledge in critical care, rehabilitation, and anesthetic techniques, preparing graduates for supervisory roles in referral practices and hospitals.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This top-up degree is designed for FdSc Veterinary Nursing graduates and experienced veterinary nurses who want to develop their academic qualification to the level of an honours degree. The program focuses on critical thinking and reflection on prior learning, exploring global disease effects on animal health and welfare, rehabilitation strategies, and anesthetic techniques.

Objectives:

• Develop critical thinking and reflection skills.
• Gain a deeper understanding of global veterinary medicine and its impact on animal health and welfare.
• Enhance knowledge and experience in critical care and rehabilitation in second opinion practices.
• Improve skills in analyzing animal disease in the UK and abroad.
• Develop evidence-based and holistic care techniques.
• Acquire the knowledge and skills needed to undertake a clinical supervisor role.

Outline:

Year One:

• Applied Emergency and Critical Care: This module covers emergency advanced nursing, triage techniques, treatment regimens, care planning, emergency techniques for supporting patients, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, and advanced life support.
• Advanced Anaesthesia Technique: This module focuses on improving anesthetic monitoring, pain management, critical care nursing skills, and tackling challenging anesthetic patients.
It utilizes case-based learning and provides opportunities for practical skills practice in a simulated veterinary practice.
• Global Animal Disease: This module raises awareness of global veterinary medicine, different practice environments, and develops critical thinking and analytical approaches to animal disease.
• Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing: This module emphasizes problem-solving skills, research utilization for complex cases, and evidence-based and holistic care techniques.
It also prepares students for clinical supervisor roles.
• Evidence-Based Veterinary Nursing Project (equivalent to a dissertation): This module involves a significant research project examining the relationship between theoretical and practical clinical management using evidence-based veterinary medicine.
This reflective report can be used as evidence for AFHEA recognition for those in clinical supervisor roles.

Assessment:

• Coursework (66%)
• Exam (17%)
• Practical (17%)

Teaching:

• The course is delivered via blended learning, with specific attendance days.
• A variety of assessment techniques are used to demonstrate learning outcomes.
• Subject knowledge and understanding are assessed through assignments, reports, projects, presentations, and case studies.
• Reliable internet access is essential for blended learning.
• Field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
• Contact hours: Lectures/seminars/workshops (18%), independent study (82%)
• Taught by RCVS registered veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons.

Careers:

• This degree prepares graduates for positions in referral practices and veterinary hospitals.
• Potential roles include supervision of hospital wards and training of nursing or support staff.
• Opportunities exist outside of veterinary practices, such as research establishments, laboratories, universities, colleges, zoos, pharmaceutical companies, breeding and boarding establishments, pet food companies, and rehabilitation centers.
• Graduates can pursue careers overseas, where there is a growing demand for UK-qualified veterinary professionals in developing countries.
• Students have access to the Veterinary Nursing Centre, a purpose-built simulated veterinary practice.
• The course is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Mode of study International tuition fee Full-time £17,150 Please note this course is not open to students requiring a Tier 4 / Student Route visa. Scholarships We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee.