This formal qualification is recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and is accredited by both Ofqual and the RCVS. Its purpose is to give learners the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to practise veterinary nursing safely and competently. Your qualification will enable you to apply to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses.
The course content and structure encourage growth as individuals and provides both the opportunity to learn life-skills essential for professional development and a base on which to progress in a career or onto other qualifications.
You’ll become an apprentice, both with us and your practice and will be funded by the Government’s apprenticeship scheme. The value of available funding will be assessed for each learner on an individual basis.
This course covers all the elements required to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN), including an embedded knowledge of theory into practice. The course covers professional accountability, nursing practice, pharmacy, laboratory, communication, veterinary radiography, theatre practice and much more.
You must be able to read and interpret the information provided in English. Five GCSEs in grades A–C (or 4–9), including Maths, English and a Science, are required. Equivalent qualifications are also recognised and accepted.
The minimum duration to achieve this qualification is between two and a half and three years.
It consists of five units and one written assignment. The programme also includes a balance of practice-based learning and theoretical teaching using a number of strategies to ensure learners are able to undertake key clinical tasks with proficiency. All units in the syllabus are mandatory and must be passed to attain your qualification.
Practical skills are supported through teaching and supervised experience in a veterinary training practice. Attendance at the College for one day each week is Expected, with further days in the final six months available for OCSE revision in our Clinical Skills training facility.
Your knowledge and understanding will be assessed by:
- Formative tests (ongoing assessment and feedback).
- A written assignment.
- Sitting five summative exams via an online platform.
- Review of the nursing progress log.
- End point professional discussion & practical OSCE.
You’ll use an electronic work-based log, Nursing Progress Log (NPL), to record practice skills. Our clinical supervisors will verify progress in competencies. Practical examinations of essential clinical skills (OCSE – Objective Structured Clinical Examination) are set and administered by LANTRA (the Awarding Body) and delivered in approved OCSE centres.
In addition to work and college attendance commitments, you should expect to set aside a certain amount of your own time to study for your qualification (approximately six hours per week). Examples include:
- Completion of your NPL – your record of Clinical Progress.
- Revision for formative tests.
- Completion of a written assignment.
- Sitting of examinations.
- Revision and Research.
- Application of taught theory into practice, working towards the outlined day one skills and competencies.
- Adhere to civility towards others, sustainability, professional behaviours and conduct.
Throughout the summative examinations we routinely exceed the national average by 20% including the end point Professional Discussion & OSCE Practical Exams.
When you graduate, you’ll qualify as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. You’ll then be entitled to use the suffix RVN after your name for the duration that you maintain your registration with the RCVS.