Program Overview

New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (L6) (Companion Animal Veterinary Nursing)

Programme Overview

Become a fully qualified veterinary nurse. Develop and learn a range of nursing skills including clinical, surgical, hospital and diagnostic skills, both in the classroom as well as on work placement in veterinary clinics. This programme is for new students.

Programme Details

Level

6

Campus

Petone

Start Date

23/02/2026

Duration

2 years, full-time (part-time options available)

Domestic Fees

TBA

Programme Outline

This programme is for those wanting to become a Veterinary Nurse. We offer the Companion Animal Strand which covers cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and rodents.

Veterinary Nursing is a highly rewarding profession, working within an interprofessional team to provide healthcare to animal patients. As a qualified veterinary nurse, you will have a high level of responsibility within your scope of practice and will be eligible to apply for voluntary registration with the Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council.

During this programme you will gain the knowledge, skills, and attributes to work in animal healthcare settings such as veterinary clinics, veterinary product suppliers, government agencies, zoos, animal rescues or research organisations.

More Detail About This Qualification

This programme is delivered by blended learning, i.e., face to face and online learning. This means some of your lessons may be delivered via Moodle (our online learning platform), which will require you to have a computer and internet access at home.

Placement

You must complete at least 750 hours of work placement during the two-year programme. You will complete your placements across different facilities including a minimum of 45 hours in an animal related facility and a minimum of 480 hours in veterinary clinics – a minimum of two clinics is strongly recommended. Placements will need to be organised for non-teaching days, and we recommend you organise your placement close to your home. More information about organising your placement will be provided upon enrolment.

Courses

Year 1

• ANML5001: Veterinary Nursing Practice
• ANML5002: Anatomy and Physiology
• ANML5103: Animal Husbandry and Behaviour
• ANML5104: Companion Animal Practicum I
• ANML5105: Introduction to Anaesthesia and Analgesia
• ANML5106: Introduction to Medical Nursing
• ANML5107: Introduction to Surgery and Diagnostics
• ANML5108: Companion Animal Practicum II

Year 2

• ANML6101: Anaesthesia Management and Emergencies
• ANML6102: Medical Nursing and Diagnostics
• ANML6103: Companion Animal Practicum III
• ANML6104: Surgical Nursing and Dentistry
• ANML6105: Imaging and Veterinary Nursing Services
• ANML6106: Companion Animal Practicum IV

Entry Requirements

To be admitted to this programme, applicants must meet the following academic admission requirements:

• NCEA Level 2 or higher including a minimum of:
  • 12 credits in English at Level 2 or higher
  • 12 credits in Mathematics at Level 1 or higher
  • 12 credits of relevant science (preferably Biology) at Level 1 or higher
• Or
  • New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Level 3)
• Or
  • A recognised equivalent

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission, all applicants must complete a health and criminal declaration form to ensure fitness to practice, prior to acceptance into the programme.

Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the delegated authority.

Selection processes may apply where the number of applications exceed the number of available places.

Course Related Costs

The following costs are approximate. Confirmed costs and details on where to purchase your uniform will be sent out prior to the programme's start date.

• Uniform: $100
• Medical Equipment: $135
• Placement travel costs: these will vary depending on where you live and where your placements are.

Credit Recognition

If you have relevant skills and knowledge through study or experiences in work or other activities, you may be able to receive credit for them when enrolling in a programme of study. This is done through a process called credit recognition.