Explore the veterinary nursing profession this Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month
Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month is here! Read on for more information about the role of the veterinary nurse, training options, employment opportunities available post-training, and more…
Do you want to know more about the responsibilities of a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)?
Veterinary nurses are essential team members in veterinary practice, working alongside veterinary surgeons to deliver vital care to animals. RVNs are highly skilled professionals who take on significant tasks, such as performing diagnostic tests, administering treatments, and caring for sick and injured animals. RVNs also educate pet owners on the health and welfare of animals, and may conduct various clinics offering services like health checks, weight management advice, pre and post-operative checks, microchipping, and dental hygiene.
Did you know there are multiple pathways to becoming a veterinary nurse?
In order to become a veterinary nurse, you will need to achieve professional registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) by completing an RCVS approved veterinary nursing course. You can obtain your professional credentials through two main routes: earning a university BSc (Hons) or FdSc degree, or obtaining a Level 3 Diploma.
Both programmes of study offer unique benefits and are recognised as evidence of a high quality education. Typically, you will need at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C), including English, Maths, and a Science subject, along with relevant work experience. If you do not meet the GCSE requirements, some training providers may accept alternative qualifications. For instance, at The College of Animal Welfare, successfully completing our Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants or Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support, along with Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications in Maths and English, would meet the academic entry requirements needed to apply for our Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal).
Have you seen what career opportunities are available to registered veterinary nurses?
Veterinary nursing is a varied and rewarding career path which opens up a wide variety of professional opportunities, with roles available in veterinary practice, education, research, management – and many more! There are also opportunities to develop your career and specialise depending on the practice you work in and your interests.
Whether you’ve just qualified as a veterinary nurse, have been working in the industry for some time and looking for a career change, or you are considering training as a veterinary nurse in the future, explore career progression for veterinary nurses in further detail here…
Veterinary nursing is a natural career choice for those with their heart set on working in the veterinary industry. Working as a veterinary nurse offers the opportunity to have daily contact with animals and their owners, and work as part of close-knit teams in veterinary practice. Plus, RVNs have varied career options in veterinary practice and in related industries. Take at look at what else makes veterinary nursing a great profession to join…
Have you heard about our Live Online learning approach to veterinary nurse training?
Live Online is an increasingly popular delivery model for our Level 3 Diploma / Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) programme.
It involves a mixture of online lessons held in a virtual classroom, and in-centre practical skills training sessions, supported by additional online learning activities alongside employment or placement in a veterinary practice. Read on the find out more…
How does Live Online work?
Students will attend regular virtual lectures in order to complete the theory element of their programme. Our lectures are delivered via our virtual teaching platform, which allows students to engage with tutors and peers in real-time, either from home or work.
During virtual lectures, students participate in a diverse range of learning and assessment activities including live chat, group chat, breakout room activities, independent activities e.g. research, polls and Q&A sessions. All virtual classroom sessions are recorded and are available to view after the event for consolidation of learning and revision purposes. Online exams are available via a remote invigilation platform as well as by physically attending one of our main centres.
In addition to their remote classes, students have some online course materials outside of class time to work through prior to each week’s classes.
Practical training sessions
Alongside their remote classes and online learning, students attend one of our chosen training centres for approximately 10 days across their programme, for practical skills training sessions.
What are the benefits of Live Online?
✓ Promoting sustainability
Students will only need to attend their local training centre for approximately ten days throughout the programme for practical training sessions (and for exams if they choose to take these in-centre), reducing the carbon footprint of our training programmes.
✓ Extensive support, advice and guidance from CAW
Students have regular 1-2-1s with their tutor, and have 24/7 access to digital resources to support their mental and physical wellbeing. Employers will benefit from free clinical coach training and support from a dedicated IQA, as well as help in navigating the TP approval process where applicable.
✓ Innovative learning and development materials
All students will benefit from our innovative teaching methods and access to advanced virtual learning tools including our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and virtual classrooms and virtual reality clinical skills environment.
✓ Start dates throughout the year
Our flexible, hybrid approach means our programme has intakes starting throughout the year. Students who are already employed in a veterinary practice can even start at any time!
We have recently launched our new advanced Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which students will have access to 24/7. The new, web-based system delivers interactive learning materials to any connected device and allows students to submit assignments, take exams and track their assessments. Our VLE includes lots of exciting features to enhance our students’ learning, including document repository, bespoke interactive learning materials developed in-house, lesson capture, virtual classroom delivery and forums.
Virtual Classrooms
Our online conferencing system allows our tutors to deliver effective teaching sessions and share engaging audio, video, slides, chat, and screens. The software also offers lots of interactive features which means our students can engage with their tutors and peers in real-time, for example through sharing of emoji icons, polling, and breakout rooms.
Virtual Reality
The College of Animal Welfare is the first veterinary nurse college in the UK to incorporate VR into training. All CAW veterinary nursing students will be granted a license to use our anatomy and physiology, and OSCE preparation VR software. As well as exploring the anatomy and physiology of animals, students can practise OSCE-style tasks such as taking x-rays, packaging samples, and identifying parasites – helping build muscle memory and reduce exam anxiety.
Where is the Live Online learningoption available?
As one of the most established veterinary nurse training providers in the UK, we deliver our Level 3 Diploma / Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing at centres located all over the country, and we’re still growing! Apprenticeship options are available at all our centres in England, and students are able to start their training throughout the year.
Students are required to attend their chosen training centre for approximately 10 days throughout their programme, for practical skills training days. They will attend one of the following centres:
Satellite training centres
Many of our satellite training centres are located inside modern veterinary environments, with state-of-the-art facilities and specialist staff. Our satellite training centres are located inside:
✔ Blue House Veterinary Centre Stoke-on-Trent (Biddulph) ✔ GSPCA Guernsey ✔ Kernow Farm & Equine Bodmin ✔ Sussex Equine Hospital Horsham ✔ Wheelhouse Veterinary Centre Chorleywood ✔Willows Veterinary Centre Solihull
CAW Training Centres
In addition to satellite locations, we operate dedicated training centres in Huntingdon, North London, Wigan, Leeds, and Edinburgh. These centres are easily accessible by car and feature practical skills facilities, lecture rooms with video conferencing facilities, and comfortable breakout spaces for students.
Are you currently training SVNs at your practice, or considering it for the future? Here’s how we support veterinary practices who work with us…
Whether you’re thinking about taking on another student veterinary nurse, looking to switch training providers, or want to to become a Training Practice (TP) for the first time, we make the process simple. We support practices every step of the way with:
Free clinical supervisor training and standardisation events
Ongoing support from a dedicated member of our IQA team
Guidance with the TP approval process where applicable
A resource-rich Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), eLibrary and clinical supervisor forum
Discounted CPD such as our Clinical Supervisor Congress
*New* Applicants who are already employed in an RCVS approved training veterinary practice can start the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) at any time
Did you know, if you are already working in an RCVS approved training veterinary practice and meet the academic entry requirements, you can now enrol and start the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) at any time (at most of the CAW centres)?
Once enrolled with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and VetSkill, you can start pre course activities and logging your practice hours before your classroom (virtual or in centre) lessons begin.
Pre course activities include course induction, preparing for study, Nursing Progress Log (NPL) guidance, health and safety, anatomy and physiology, and policies and responsibilities i.e. Code of Conduct, Fitness to Practise.
New Companion Animal SQP qualification open for applications
We’re delighted to announce the launch of our *new* VetSkill VTEC Level 4 Award for Animal Medicines Advisors (SQP – Companion Animal).
This qualification is designed for those looking to gain the necessary qualification to be able to prescribe and supply veterinary medicine classes POM-VPS and/or NFA-VPS to companion animals. You may be working in veterinary practice, or in a Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) retailer approved to retail and supply VPS medicines.
Completion of this qualification will allow you to join the VetSkill SQP register. What’s more – online learning means you can start this programme at any time, and there is no college attendance required!
An SQP is an animal medicine advisor who is qualified to prescribe and/or supply certain veterinary medicines under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.
Obtaining an SQP qualification could boost your credentials and career prospects in your current workplace, and help you to stand out when applying for jobs in the future.
Learn SQP competencies and gain a broad understanding of animal health and disease
This qualification is intended to provide relevant SQP competencies and underpinning knowledge and understanding that will enable prescription of medicines that fall under the POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories within the companion animal group. What’s more – you will also develop a broad understanding of animal health and disease, and the skills to identify parasite infestations and select appropriate medicines to prescribe. You will cover:
Legislation and Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) Status for the Supply of veterinary Medicines
Companion Animal Health for the Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP)
Prescribing and Supplying Veterinary Medicines for Companion Animals
Nurses needed to support project exploring SVN mental health education
The RCVS Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has awarded £20,000 to a research project investigating whether there is adequate mental health education in the student veterinary nursing curriculum.
The funding comes from the MMI Sarah Brown Mental Health Research Grant, which was established in 2019 in memory of former RCVS Council Member Sarah Brown, who passed away in 2017. This grant is dedicated to supporting research focused on the mental health and wellbeing of veterinary professionals.
Previous grants have supported a variety of research topics, such as the mental health effects of racism, moral injury, farm veterinarian mental health, stress factors in autistic veterinarians, and the impact of online compassionate imagery interventions.
This year’s grant recipients, Dr. Faye Didymus and Dr. Jackie Hargreaves from Leeds Beckett University, are set to explore how mental health and well-being is integrated into the learning paths of SVNs. This will be done through a scoping review of mental health education during student veterinary nursing curricula. It is hoped this will culminate in a set of evidence-based recommendations for how mental health education for veterinary nursing students could be enhanced.
The project will include interviews with educators, student nurses, and practicing veterinary nurses to gauge their experiences and exposure to mental health education. Dr Didymus and Dr Hargreaves are running a virtual webinar on Tuesday 23 April (10.30am-11.30am) through MMI, to outline their research findings to date and give attendees the chance to contribute to the second phase of their research.
The webinar will be taking place via zoom on Tuesday 23 April from 10:30am to 11:30am, and anyone interested in finding out more or contributing to the research can sign up to the webinar by visiting the MMI website events page.
More information about the grant recipients and the project can be found on the RCVS news and views page.
Vets Now Ethnic Diversity Nursing Scholarship open for applications
The scholarship programme is part of their wider commitment to supporting ethnic diversity across the veterinary profession. Successful candidates will be awarded an annual grant of £2,500 for the duration of their course, mentoring from the Vets Now ethnic diversity scholarship board members and a support network to help them through their studies.
In order to apply for the scholarship, you must be a UK or EU citizen who self-identifies as being from an ethnic minority, and applying to enter one of the UK or ROI nursing colleges on a course accredited with the RCVS as a ‘licence to practice’ in veterinary nursing for this years’ intake.
Your family’s financial background will be considered during the application process, and you will be asked to submit proof of this as assessed by Student Finance, with priority given to students from lower-income families.
All applications must be completed and received in full by 31st May 2024.
You can find out more and apply for the scholarship programme here.
New veterinary nurse training option open to those who are not already employed in a veterinary practice
We’re thrilled to announce a new, three year delivery option for our Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing programme, which is open to applications from those who are not already employed in a veterinary practice.
How does it work?
Duration: 3 years
In years 1 and 3, you will undertake lessons on a day release basis either by coming into college for classroom tuition, or by studying remotely via online lessons in our virtual classroom (depending on which centre you choose to study from). In addition, you will be required to spend one additional day per week working through online course materials with up to a further six hours per week developing your practical skills using a virtual reality headset. When you are not undertaking college lessons, online learning or practical skills training in years 1 and 3, you are able to undertake casual work (working in any type of employment) to financially support yourself during the programme.
To achieve this qualification, you will need to complete a minimum of 52 x 40 hour weeks of placement in an RCVS approved veterinary practice. The majority of this (44-45 weeks) will take place during year 2 of the programme. The additional 7-8 weeks of placement will then be taken at a later stage, or after year 3.
What are the benefits of training as a non-employed student?
✓ No employment required to apply
You do not need to be employed in a veterinary practice in order to apply for this programme. However, work experience undertaken in a veterinary practice alongside a reference from a veterinary surgeon or registered veterinary nurse supporting your suitability for veterinary nurse training will be a distinct advantage.
If you have not undertaken any work experience, we will consider your application, however you will be required to undertake work experience within the first three months of being on programme in order to make sure that this is the career for you. Assistance is available from the College to support applicants seeking work experience.
✓ Study around your existing commitments
When you are not undertaking college lessons, online learning or practical skills training in years 1 and 3, you are able to undertake casual work (working in any type of employment) to financially support yourself during the programme.
✓ Support in finding a work placement
Our dedicated placement team will use connections with over 700 veterinary practices to source an unpaid placement for your second year of training.
✓ Minimal college attendance required
If you choose to complete your weekly lessons remotely in our virtual classrooms, you will only need to attend your local satellite centre for approximately ten days per year for practical training sessions, minimising travel time and costs.
✓ Fast track your studies with paid employment
If you find paid employment as a student veterinary nurse within your first year of training, you may be able to transfer to our two-year programme for employed students in year two.
Where can I study as a non-employed student?
We deliver this programme from centres located throughout the UK, including: Basildon, Bodmin, County Durham, Derby, Chorleywood, Edinburgh, Guernsey, Horsham, Huntingdon, Leeds, North London, Solihull, Wigan and Stoke-on-Trent.
5 benefits of topping up your veterinary nursing qualification to degree level
If you’re a veterinary nurse who qualified via the diploma or foundation degree route, have you considered topping up your qualification to degree level? Beyond the parchment paper and ceremonial gowns, obtaining a degree comes with many benefits, from enhancing employability to fostering personal growth.
Here, we’re looking at why topping up your veterinary nursing qualification could be a good decision for your career and personal development:
1. Deepen your professional knowledge and skills
Topping up to degree level provides you with an opportunity to deepen your understanding of veterinary nursing, including the latest evidence-based research and techniques in the profession. This advanced knowledge can enable you to contribute more effectively to clinical decision-making, and handle complex cases with greater confidence.
Veterinary nurses who undertake our BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Top-Up Degree programme study a comprehensive curriculum and cover a wide range of topics, from surgical nursing to anaesthesia and critical care, ensuring a well-rounded skill set that can meet the demands of modern veterinary practice.
2. Boost your job prospects and earning potential
Achieving a degree could help you stand out when applying for leadership and specialised opportunities in practice, such as leading a team as a head nurse, mentoring students as a clinical coach, or specialising in areas like rehabilitation, anaesthesia, or emergency care. These positions not only come with greater responsibilities but also the potential for higher salaries and job satisfaction, reflecting the value of advanced qualifications in the workplace.
3. Pave the way to higher study
Completing a degree can inspire further professional development or specialisation in the future, and is a natural stepping stone for those who dream of studying at the highest academic level in the future, for example by achieving a Masters or PhD. This gives you the opportunity to contribute to the development of veterinary nursing through advanced research and make a broader impact on the profession.
4. Advance your personal and professional growth
Earning a degree is about more than just academic achievement; it’s a journey that can contribute significantly to your personal and professional growth. Studying at this level will challenge you to develop advanced critical thinking skills, boost your research capabilities, and help you gain a broader, evidence-based perspective on veterinary nursing care. These skills are invaluable, not only in a professional setting but in your personal life, fostering a mindset of lifelong learning and development. Not only this, the sense of accomplishment from completing a degree can also boost your confidence in your abilities and potential.
5. Unlock new career opportunities in teaching, research and more
For those with a passion for research or education, topping up to degree level could open up new career avenues in veterinary research, teaching, and beyond; as well as specialisation in a particular area of veterinary nursing. If you’re interested in contributing to the field outside of clinical practice in the future, a degree could provide the foundation needed to explore these paths.
Topping up your veterinary nursing qualification to degree level has clear career and personal benefits. It’s about enhancing your skills, broadening your career opportunities, and committing to your professional development.
If you’re considering taking this step, our BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing Top-Up Degree programme is open for applications now to start in September 2025. Find out more and apply here
BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Top-Up Degree for Registered Veterinary Nurses open for applications
We’re delighted to announce the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Top- Up Degree programme, awarded by Middlesex University, is now open for applications and starting in September 2024 (subject to validation).
Are you a registered veterinary nurse who qualified via the diploma or foundation degree route? Would you like to top up your qualification to a BSc Honours degree? Perhaps you would like to move onto further post-graduate study, enter into a profession like teaching, or simply improve your nursing practice and career prospects. This top-up programme can help you do just that.
Delivered via distance learning, the course aims to give you the skills, experience and knowledge needed to enhance your veterinary career and continue your personal and professional development.
Key Facts
Attendance: This programme is delivered by distance learning, with no classroom attendance required
Duration: Full time study – 2 years; Part time study – 4 years
Entry requirements: Applicants must hold a Level 3 qualification or Foundation degree in Veterinary Nursing and be registered with the RCVS as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) or hold internationally equivalent qualifications and registration
Start Date: September 2024 (subject to validation)
Meet BScVN Top-Up Programme Leader, Dr Catherine Hemingway BVetMed CertAVP PGCDE MRCVS, and learn more about the course by watching our video introduction
Webinar – Wednesday 15 May, 7pm-8pm
If you’re interested in applying for the course, we are hosting a *virtual* webinar on Wednesday 15 May 2024 from 7pm-8pm, where you can find out more about the programme and ask any questions you may have about what it’s like to study with us.
Explore our industry-led syllabus, teaching evidence-based veterinary nursing skills and knowledge at degree level
This course aims to give you the skills, experience and knowledge needed to enhance your veterinary career and continue your personal and professional development. Throughout the programme you will study:
Evidence Based Veterinary Nursing
Surgical Veterinary Nursing
Veterinary Nursing Futures
Anaesthesia for Veterinary Nursing Practice
Applied Emergency and Critical Care for Veterinary Nursing
RCVS consults on new standards framework for veterinary nurse training
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has initiated a consultation on its standards framework for veterinary nurse training, as part of a regular review process, in order to ensure that the standards remain up-to-date and fit for purpose.
The framework, titled “Standards Framework for Veterinary Nurse Education and Training,” outlines the professional values, skills, and behaviors required of approved educational institutions (AEIs), their delivery sites, and the training practices (TPs) that provide training and support to student veterinary nurses.
This framework undergoes a review every five years by the RCVS. The purpose of this review is to ensure that AEIs, delivery sites and TPs have the structures to best provide contemporary and innovative approaches to education for student veterinary nurses, while being accountable for the local delivery and management of accredited programmes.
The new draft framework includes updates relating to sustainability, including the potential impact of delivering veterinary nurse training on the environment, and academic integrity, for example, around assessment and moderation processes.
The consultation is open until 5pm on Wednesday, 3 April 2024, and all members of the veterinary team – including RVNs, student veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons – can take part in order to provide detailed feedback on each of the six core standards and each of individual requirements within these standards.
