Course modules
Year 1
Professional Practitioner Research Proposal
The module will foster research awareness, the development of transferrable skills, including the capacity for self-management and the concept of life-long learning. It will also enable students to develop the skills to locate and critically appraise research and present this information to an acceptable academic standard, and cultivate the student’s knowledge of a topic from their professional discipline as a basis for future action. Experimental and exploratory designs will be taught so that data and observations can be assessed for accuracy and reliability. The appropriateness of the investigational or exploratory methods will be explored together with suitable data analytical techniques. Methods of reporting the results of scientific investigations and explorations will be appraised
Veterinary Nursing Support of Pain Management
This module will enhance the student’s knowledge regarding the physiology of pain focusing on the impact pain has on an animal. Students will also explore the concept of multi-modal analgesia and the use design, implementation and evaluation of pain scoring systems in veterinary practice in order to improve and enhance patient health and welfare.
Critical Care Veterinary Nursing
This module will cover the implementation and evaluation of the advanced nursing care of emergency surgical and critically ill medical patients, critical care procedures, patient monitoring and the legal and ethical considerations of nursing such patients. It will also cover advanced nursing procedures encountered in veterinary practice.
Year 2
Dissertation (Double module)
This module will enable the student to demonstrate their ability to work independently and nominate a topic of their choice that is of special personal interest and to investigate in depth this area of veterinary nursing practice. It will facilitate the development of research skills rather than the quest for new knowledge although this will be encouraged.
Veterinary Nursing of Life Limiting Conditions
This module will develop an appreciation of the ageing process and common conditions affecting geriatric animals and how these considerations affect the selection of appropriate nursing protocols for these patients. It will also address the palliative nursing care of animals suffering from life limiting illness. In addition the provision of client support will be investigated in preparing and helping the owner deal with bereavement, grief and loss.
Entry requirements & additional information
- Entry requirements
- Learning and assessment
- Progression
- Careers
- Professional accreditations
- Special requirements
Entry requirements
Applicants must hold a UK HE Level 5 qualification in veterinary nursing, for example a Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing or Diploma Higher Education Clinical Veterinary Nursing and appear on the RCVS register for veterinary nurses (or be eligible to apply / be in the process of applying to the RCVS to be entered onto the register). Applicants must also provide evidence of successfully completing a research-based module at Level 5.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 7.0 or equivalent. The applicant must forward evidence of eligibility to the College prior to acceptance on the course.
All offers may be subject to successful interview.
Learning and assessment
Learning Environment:
Learning activities on the course are diverse, including weekly lesson delivery on Canvas for each module the student is studying, and lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops will also be delivered in the purpose-built veterinary nursing facility during the study weekends. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and collaboration will form an important part of the course and the student’s personal and professional development. Students will also have access to specialist IT hardware and software where necessary to support their studies.
Assessment:
Students will face a variety of assessments including a combination of coursework, unseen examinations, individual presentations and practical assessments. The coursework assessment methods will include essays, reports and dissertation work.
Additional Information:
Students will be required to attend timetabled lectures for all modules each study day according to the timetable provided at the start of each year. This will include 2 days in College per semester, per year, with the rest of their time allocated to independent study and time in practice to support their studies.
What work experience can I get?
The nature of the course, which embraces module outcomes from both a theoretical and clinical perspective, necessitates access to practice. Students will therefore be required to be employed in, or have agreed access to, placement in a suitable veterinary clinical environment for at least 12 weeks annually.
Progression
On completion of the course further academic opportunities are available including, MA, MEd, MSc, MPhil, PhD and related courses.
Careers
The course aims to provide a programme of veterinary nursing education which will enable BSc (Hons) degree holders to analyse key academic themes in the subject area and critically evaluate the wide range of management issues within different sectors of the veterinary industry, which will therefore prepare them for a successful career in the UK or overseas. The course promotes an ethos of self-development and reflection throughout the curriculum in order to foster a greater personal awareness and the confidence necessary to manage others. The course is designed with the intention that its graduates will be able to function effectively at a managerial level within the veterinary industry. Modular content emphasises the importance of career development and planning throughout.
Examples of possible careers included:
- Head Nurse in General Veterinary Practice
- Senior Surgical / Medical Nurse in specialist referral Veterinary Practice
- Lecturer/Senior Nurse in Veterinary Schools
- Technical Advisor in Pharmaceutical Companies
- Lecturer in Educational Establishments
- Consultancy in Animal Health Companies
- Managerial positions in Welfare Organisations
Professional accreditations
The BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing has been validated by the University of Central Lancashire and students must have satisfied all the RCVS requirements to enrol as a Registered Veterinary Nurse to undertake the BSc.
Special requirements
Additional costs for items that are essential for the course include:
- Accommodation during study periods at Myerscough College - the price for accommodation depends on where the student chooses to stay, the length of their stay, and how far in advance they book.
- Access to broadband internet and a computer.
Additional costs for items that are essential for the course include:
- Books - Approx. £120. Students will be provided with a reading list for each module studied. The decision to purchase any books remains with the student, and no books are considered essential.