About the course
This innovative and dynamic Certificate, delivered at University Centre Myerscough, awarded by the University of Lancashire and accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, is accessible, flexible, progressive and professionally recordable and will fill a niche in veterinary nursing education provision. It has been structured in such a way that will facilitate both the personal and professional development of qualified registered veterinary nurses and positively assist those who are returning to academic work. Through a combination of engaging classroom and online sessions, experienced and interesting guest lecturers and personalised student support, RVNs can be confident that they will receive the best support to ensure they reach their full potential.
With the role of RVNs evolving in veterinary practice there has not been a more exciting time to be a member of the veterinary nursing profession. This course allows RVNs to further advance their knowledge and skills in an area that is of most professional interest and relevance to them, over a minimum of only 1 academic year, making continued engagement with education a viable option for all qualified veterinary nurses. Obtaining the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing will allow RVNs to showcase their advanced skillset and knowledge, benefitting not only the professional, educational and personal development of the RVN, but the veterinary industry as a whole.
University Centre Myerscough offers the following Cert AVN designation: Certificate Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Teaching, Coaching & Mentoring)
Key Information
Location: Preston Campus
Course length: One Year (30 weeks)
Start date: September 2026
Course Modules
Coaching and Mentoring in Veterinary Nursing
Compulsory Module. The aim of this module is to enhance the student�s coaching and mentoring skills in practice, developing them as a professional role model within veterinary practice. Underpinning theories, relevant to mentoring and coaching will be explored such as; recognising learning and communication styles, reflective practice and the value of Codes of Conduct. Exploring theories, techniques, styles and processes of mentoring and coaching will enhance the students� abilities concerning the use of their knowledge to motivate and influence individual staff members and teams, in order to establish powerful and lasting change within practice.
Evidence-Based Practice and Research Skills
Compulsory Module. The aim of this module is to 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.
Preparing to Teach in Veterinary Nursing
Compulsory Module. The aim of this module is to enhance the student�s teaching skills in practice, developing them as a professional role model within veterinary practice. Underpinning theories, relevant to teaching will be explored such as; recognising learning styles, reflective practice and the value of Codes of Conduct. Exploring theories, techniques, styles and processes of teaching will enhance the students� abilities concerning the use of their knowledge to motivate and influence individual staff members and teams, in order to establish powerful and lasting change within practice.
Entry requirements & additional information
All students must be qualified registered veterinary nurses (RVN), included on the RCVS Small Animal or Equine Register, holding the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, or the FdSc Veterinary Nursing, or the Diploma of Higher Education Clinical Veterinary Nursing, or the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing qualifications (or equivalencies).
Prior to commencing their studies, all students must provide confirmation that they have enrolled with the RCVS, indicating where they intend to study the Cert AVN. Upon completion, students will then be eligible to apply to the RCVS to claim their RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing status; this will be awarded at the discretion of the RCVS.
Students holding the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Licence to Practise qualification must additionally have a minimum of twelve months of post-qualification experience and 15 hours CPD, taken from the date of first registration on the RCVS List of RVNs. It is desirable for applicants� CPD to include some hours dedicated to their Cert AVN.
During their studies students are required to be employed in, or have agreed access to placement in, a suitable professional/clinical environment, tailored to their area of focussed study for a minimum of 12 weeks per academic year. A letter must be supplied by the practice as part of the application indicating both its status and willingness to support the student during the course regarding access to a suitable caseload. A similar letter as above will be required where students are seconded to another practice as part of the course. Students who work as locum RVNs are advised to ring and speak to a member of the veterinary nursing teaching team to discuss their situation and suitability for the course.
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 entry assessment and/or interview.
For further information about the course please contact the Course Tutor, Rebecca Gillett: [email protected]
In addition to the main application form, please complete the Cert AVN Initial RCVS Enrolment Form and return this via email to [email protected] , and copy in [email protected] , prior to commencing the course. Please do not pay the fee for this directly to the RCVS; during your initial study days we will check through these forms and you will make the payment to Myerscough College, who will then pay the entire cohorts� enrolment fee to the RCVS via BACS.
Students will undertake a variety of assessments including a combination of coursework, unseen written examinations and practical assessments. The coursework assessment methods will include essays, patient case reports, case studies, reflective journals and reflective columns. The practical assessments include practical skills assessments, problem-solving triple jump assessments and presentations.
Learning activities on the course are diverse, including weekly lesson delivery on Myerscough�s virtual learning environment, Canvas, for each module the student is studying. Lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops will also be delivered in the purpose-built veterinary nursing facility during the study weekends, with technology in place for effective remote lesson delivery during the modules too. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Students will have unlimited access to Canvas in order to facilitate an engaging and supportive learning environment away from the College environment.
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 per academic year. This must be a small animal practice which is able to demonstrate a minimum of RCVS PSS General Practice or Veterinary Hospital accreditation, or Training Practice (TP) standard, or be a Referral or University Hospital.
Additional Information:
We are mindful of the extra support required by students taking the blended learning approach to their studies and have included in the course study provision events at University Centre Myerscough�s Preston campus. At the start of the course in early September, an intensive introductory 2 day study programme will be held. It is vitally important that students attend these first study days so the teaching team can assess the support required, provide technical advice on the use of Canvas, discuss the course and the most suitable route for achieving the student's goals, introduce the course leader, module and personal tutors and begin lesson delivery for all modules. It is also an opportunity for students to ask any questions which they might have about the course and to meet their fellow students, beginning the development of the peer support network which they will find invaluable during their studies at University Centre Myerscough. In addition, three study days at weekends (Saturday or Sunday) will be held and students are expected to attend them all as part of the course.
The three weekend one-day study sessions will typically be held in:
November
January
March
Specific dates within these months will be confirmed in advance of starting the course, with detailed timetables being issued to students in advance of their attendances.
The weekend sessions will include theoretical and practical sessions, seminars, interactive workshops and group discussions in addition to affording opportunities for exchange of information within peer groups, and during group and individual tutorial sessions with module and personal tutors. University Centre Myerscough has excellent teaching, practical and clinical resources and invites in specialist veterinary guest speakers, experts in their fields, who are a key component of the study weekend programmes where appropriate. Accommodation on campus cannot be guaranteed but a comprehensive list of local accommodation is available on request.
For further information about the course please contact the Course Tutor, Rebecca Gillett: [email protected]
Upon completion of the course further advancement of academic knowledge is available via completion of the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing top-up degree (available at University Centre Myerscough), subject to performance on the Certificate and potential interview.
What careers can you follow?
The course aims to provide a programme of veterinary nursing education which will enable students to analyse key academic themes in their chosen 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, and the modular content emphasises the importance of career development and planning throughout.
Examples of possible careers included:
Head Nurse in General Veterinary and Referral Practice
Senior Surgical / Anaesthesia Nurse in specialist referral Veterinary Practice
Specialist dental nurse / work in referral dental practice
Lecturer / Senior Nurse in Veterinary Schools
Technical Advisor in Pharmaceutical Companies
Lecturer in Educational Establishments
Consultancy in Animal Health Companies
Access to a personal computer, the internet and a current email account is essential, and recommended computer software requirements are:
Microsoft Windows 10 (or equivalent)
Broadband internet access
The following software is available as free downloadable software and will also be required:
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Extra Costs:
Additional costs for items that are essential for the course include:
Books - approximately £200 (recommended texts will be indicated on reading lists).
Travel and accommodation costs associated with the study weekends.
RCVS Initial Enrolment Fee (start of the course) - £76. You will pay this to Myerscough College during your first study days in September.
RCVS Certification Fee (end of the course) � £192. You will be given instructions about how to pay this fee to the RCVS before we send your final results to them.
Prices correct 07/03/22: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/how-we-work/fees/
Veterinary Nursing
Myerscough School of Veterinary Nursing has been an established provider of education and training for veterinary nurses for more than 35 years, with approval from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons granted in 1975. In this time the College has successfully taught many small animal and equine student nurses from all parts of Britain and Europe.
Veterinary Nurses (VNs) work alongside veterinary surgeons and provide a high standard of care and treatment for animals. This includes skilled supportive care for ill animals as well as undertaking minor surgery, monitoring animals during anaesthesia, providing medical treatments and carrying out diagnostic tests
A Proud History
Myerscough College has been providing excellent veterinary nursing training for almost half a century, meaning thousands of qualified vet nurses have left us to join the industry since we began.