Course modules
Year 1
Nursing Care 1
The Nursing Care module is a comprehensive course designed to equip students with essential skills and knowledge required for effective animal care. This module covers a wide range of topics, including animal physiology, pharmacology, and medical nursing techniques. Students learn how to perform clinical assessments, administer medications, and provide pre- and post-operative care. Emphasis is placed on understanding animal behaviour, recognising signs of illness, and implementing appropriate care plans tailored to individual patient needs. Additionally, the module addresses the importance of hygiene, nutrition, and the management of some chronic conditions. Through practical hands-on training and theoretical lessons, students are prepared to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to various animal species in veterinary settings.
Animal Handling Husbandry and Behaviour
The Animal Husbandry, Handling, and Behaviour module is a crucial component of veterinary nursing education, designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of animal care and management. This module covers the fundamental principles of animal husbandry including housing, breeding, and welfare standards for various species. Emphasis is placed on safe and effective handling techniques to minimise stress and prevent injury to both animals and caregivers. Additionally, the module explores animal behaviour, offering insights into normal and abnormal behaviours, to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to effectively nurse these patients. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, students learn to interpret behavioural cues, and create environments that promote the health and happiness of animals under their care. This holistic approach ensures that veterinary nursing students are well-equipped to support the physical and psychological needs of the animals they will work with.
Interprofessional Skills
The Interprofessional Skills module is an essential part of veterinary nursing education, aimed at fostering effective collaboration among diverse healthcare professionals. This module emphasises the importance of teamwork, communication, and mutual respect in a multidisciplinary environment, whilst also housing essential well being and mental health care considerations. Students will learn strategies for efficient information sharing, conflict resolution, and joint decision-making to enhance patient care. The curriculum includes interactive workshops, role-playing scenarios, and case studies that simulate real-world veterinary settings, encouraging students to develop practical skills in working alongside veterinary surgeons and other animal healthcare providers. By mastering these interprofessional skills, students will be better prepared to contribute to a cohesive and supportive healthcare team, ultimately improving outcomes for animal patients and their owners.
Nursing Care 2
Building on Nursing Care 1, this nursing care module will delve deeper into more specialised and advanced areas of veterinary medicine. Advanced clinical skills such as wound management, intravenous catheterisation and critical care techniques. Covering the principles of animal rehabilitation and physiotherapy including hydrotherapy, laser therapy and massaging techniques aimed to help enhance recovery and improve mobility. This advanced module would not only reinforce the foundational knowledge and skills acquired in the initial Nursing Care module but also provide veterinary nursing students with the expertise needed to handle more complex and specialised scenarios in their professional careers.
Year 2
Diagnostic Imaging
The Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Skills module is a pivotal part of veterinary nursing education, providing students with the expertise needed to perform and interpret essential diagnostic procedures. This module covers a wide range of imaging techniques, including radiography, ultrasound, and MRI, teaching students how to operate equipment, position animals correctly, and ensure high-quality images. Additionally, the laboratory skills component focuses on the collection, handling, and analysis of biological samples such as blood, urine, faeces and tissue. Students will learn to conduct various tests, interpret results accurately, and understand their implications for diagnosis and treatment. By integrating theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice, this module ensures that veterinary nursing students are proficient in using diagnostic tools to support veterinary diagnoses and contribute to comprehensive patient care.
Care of the Surgical Patient
The Care of the Surgical Patient module is a vital part of veterinary nursing education, designed to equip students with the specialised skills required for pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care of animals undergoing surgery. This module covers the entire surgical process, starting with pre-surgical assessments and preparation, including patient history, physical examinations, and risk evaluations. During the intra-operative phase, students learn about maintaining aseptic techniques, assisting with surgical procedures, and monitoring anaesthesia. Post-operatively, the focus shifts to pain management, wound care, and monitoring for complications, ensuring a smooth and swift recovery. Through a combination of theoretical instruction and hands-on practice, students gain the knowledge and confidence needed to provide exceptional care to surgical patients, ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the surgical experience.
Year 3
Care of the Medical Patient
The Care of the Medical Patient module is an integral component of veterinary nursing education, dedicated to the comprehensive care and management of animals with medical conditions. This module focuses on developing students' abilities to perform thorough patient assessments, implement effective treatment plans, and provide ongoing care for animals with chronic or acute illnesses. Key areas of study include fluid therapy, medication administration, nutritional support, and monitoring of vital signs. In addition to clinical skills, the module emphasises the importance of research skills, teaching students how to critically evaluate scientific literature, apply evidence-based practices, and contribute to clinical research. Through a blend of theoretical learning and practical application, students are equipped to deliver high-quality medical care and stay abreast of the latest advancements in veterinary medicine. This dual focus ensures that veterinary nursing students are not only proficient in patient care but also skilled in integrating research findings into their practice for optimal patient outcomes.
Preparing for Professional Regulation
This module will assist student veterinary nurses nearing the point of qualification for the RCVS register to appreciate the concept of professional accountability and their duties as registered practitioners. They will consider some of the moral and ethical conflicts that may be encountered in caring for animals and working with colleagues and learn to apply strategies for resolving such conflicts and/or how to seek appropriate expert help. The module will also prepare students for assessment of their practical day one competences.
Entry requirements & additional information
- Entry requirements
- Learning and assessment
- Progression
- Careers
- Professional accreditations
- Special requirements
Entry requirements
5 GCSE passes at Grade C (4) or above (including Maths and English or equivalent and one other science subject). Equivalent qualifications may be acceptable but must be approved by the RCVS.
Plus 80 UCAS Tariff points from one or more of the following:
- 2 A-levels (A2) including a biological science at C
- BTEC/C&G Level 3 in an animal based subject with a good grounding in science / biology / anatomy / physiology / mammals (including a distinction in at least one biology based unit)
- Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively, for example Scottish Highers, Irish Highers, International Baccalaureate, NVQ Level 3, Access to Higher Education in a related discipline (Please note: this is not an exhaustive list of potential equivalencies).
Applicants with alternative equivalent qualifications are encouraged to contact the Admissions Team for further advice and guidance.
AS levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not sufficient for entry on their own.
Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.
In addition, applicants must demonstrate experience of working with animals and a sound appreciation of the role of a veterinary nurse by supplying evidence of a minimum of:
- 10 days (70 hours) current work experience in one or more UK-based small animal veterinary practice/s.
- 10 days (70 hours) current work experience in one or more non-clinical working environments with live animals. Examples include, but are not limited to: kennels / catteries / animal shelters / stables / pet shops / zoos etc. (Please note: non-clinical experience cannot include pet ownership).
If you complete 20 days (140 hours) of work experience in one or more UK-based small animal veterinary practice(s), then the non-clinical work experience evidence will not be required.
Current is defined in this instance as preferably within 2 years of the proposed start date of the course with the majority of the experience being preferably within the last twelve months. Applicants are requested to attend one of the scheduled HE Veterinary Nursing Applicant Days.
Applicants holding non-UK qualifications are advised to contact the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons www.rcvs.org.uk) to confirm their eligibility to enrol. 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.
If you are unsure whether your Level 3 qualification overall is, and/or the modules/units therein are, sufficient to meet our entry criteria please email the Higher Education Admissions Team – HE@myerscough.ac.uk with the following information:
- In the subject bar please put ‘FdSc VN entry criteria query’
In the email please specify:
- Awarding body of your course, e.g. Pearson / AQA / City & Guilds / ABC…
- Full title of your qualification
- The titles of the units you are studying within the qualification
- A link to the qualification specification online (if you can find this)
The admissions team will review the content and reply to you in due course.
Learning and assessment
Learning Environment
Learning activities on the course are diverse, including weekly lesson delivery for each module the student is studying, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and workshops. 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, practical assessments and an OSCE. The coursework assessment methods will include essays, reports and case study work.
Additional Information:
We are mindful of the extra support required by students taking the FdSc. The College’s virtual learning environment (VLE) Canvas will be utilised to deliver work to students in Year 2 to monitor their progress, develop their clinical skills further and prepare them for returning to study in Year 3. They will also be supported by their Course Tutor and allocated HE Placement Officer.
Myerscough has excellent teaching, practical and clinical resources and have excellent links with specialist veterinary guest speakers, experts in their fields, who are invited to deliver lectures for the students throughout various modules. This provides the students with real-world examples of veterinary case management and often helps guide their future career choices and decisions regarding potentially specialising in practice. Accommodation on campus is available for students and further information about this can be obtained via the Accommodations Team at Myerscough College.
What work experience can I get?
Students must complete a minimum of 1800 hours placement in an approved small animal veterinary training practice (TP) in the U.K. This will involve 3, 8-12 week block release placements to make up the 30 weeks required. Students can complete these placements in any TP and will have the opportunity to experience different types of veterinary practice should they wish to, including emergency practices and specialist referral practices.
Progression
Successful FdSc VN candidates may be able to progress on to the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Top-up degree course, providing they have met the entry criteria. Applicants for the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing course must have Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing at a minimum of merit and have satisfied all the RCVS requirements to enrol as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. Applicants must also produce evidence of successfully completing a research-based module at Level 5.
Careers
The course aims to provide a programme of veterinary nursing education which will enable FdSc 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:
- Nurse in General Veterinary Practice
- Nurse in Animal Health Charities
- Instructor in Educational Establishments
Career opportunities could be further enhanced by progressing to the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing or Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing courses.
Professional accreditations
The FdSc Veterinary Nursing is pending validation by the University of Central Lancashire and accreditation with the RCVS and on completion of the course, a minimum of 1800 hours practice training in an Approved Training Practice, and the Nursing Progress Log, the student will be eligible to apply for entry to the register of veterinary nurses, which is maintained by the RCVS.
Special requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 1800 hours placement in an approved small animal veterinary training practice. This will involve block release placements in first and third year, and the whole of Year 2 spent in work placement. This is to comply with the RCVS regulations. During this time they will complete the Nursing Progress Log which will provide evidence of their competence of the RCVS Day One Skills and Day One Competences.
Both these criteria must be fulfilled to enable the student to successfully achieve the target award.
Additional costs for items that are essential for the course include:
- RCVS Enrolment Fee in year 1 – approximately £202 (subject to annual increases)
- RCVS Registration fee in year 3 – approximately £136 (subject to annual increases
Please follow attached link: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/how-we-work/fees/
- Student Veterinary Nursing uniform – approximately £70 (for 2 x trousers and 2 x tunics).
- Accommodation during study periods at Myerscough College if choose to live in.
- Access to broadband internet and a computer.
Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for the course include:
- Books - approx. £120 (at least a core VN textbook and veterinary dictionary recommended).
- Nursing equipment (stethoscope etc) - up to £85 (how much is spent above or below this £85 mark is up to the student and additional items are available to order alongside uniforms)