Bachelor of Science BSc in Veterinary Nursing
Course Overview
-
3
Years
-
7
Level
-
440
Points
-
US738
CAO Course Code
Why take this course?
Veterinary nursing is an exciting, diverse and challenging career. It is a job that requires a person to have exceptional communication skills, empathy, logical quick thinking and problem-solving ability. Some of the daily tasks undertaken by a veterinary nurse in practice include the following:
- Dispensing and administering of medication and fluid therapy
- Performing laboratory diagnostic tests
- Conducting diagnostic imaging
- Assisting in the provision of anaesthetics
- Preparing and assisting for/with veterinary surgical procedures
- Nursing clinics
By undertaking TUS Midland’s BSc in Veterinary Nursing programme, you will learn to nurse companion animals, equine and farm animals, leaving you well equipped for a broad range of veterinary nursing careers.
The programme is Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) accredited.
Course Spotlight:
Dr. Maeve O’Reilly, one of the Veterinary Surgeons lecturing on the BSc in Veterinary Nursing programme, explains in this YouTube video what to expect from this course, the benefits of work placement and the employment prospects for Veterinary Nursing graduates.
In this podcast Gillian discusses the programme, addresses questions such as why students should consider this course, what a student will experience and what job opportunities taking this programme at TUS might lead to.
Video showing the TUS Veterinary Nursing Laboratory
What will I experience?
This established degree programme will give you the multidisciplinary skills to play a key role in large animal, small animal and equine veterinary practices. During the 3 year degree, you will experience on-farm training in farm animal production and health and safety, and undertake compulsory clinical placements in veterinary practices at each stage of your degree.
Haematology Analyser in the TUS Veterinary Nursing Laboratory
A critical component of each year of the course is a clinical placement in a veterinary practice.
Veterinary Nursing Placements:
Additional Information for Placement:
- InPlace Agency User Guide - Veterinary Nursing
- InPlace Student User Guide - Veterinary Nursing
- Work Placement Manual for External Supervisors and Students - Updated October 2021
- Veterinary Nursing Tri-Party Agreement
- Form for Technological University Practice Registration (New Practice) October 2021
- Guidelines for Placement during Covid-19 - October 2021
- Veterinary Nursing Practice Placement Incident Report Form - October 21
What opportunities might it lead to?
Currently, and for the foreseeable future, employment prospects for veterinary nurses in clinical practice are excellent. Graduates are eligible to register as veterinary nurses with the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) and work in veterinary practices carrying out all tasks applicable to veterinary nurses under current legislation. Registered graduates may work with veterinarians in small animal, equine or large animal practices assisting in the care of animals. Careers in veterinary pharmaceuticals, food and medical/surgical sales are another career option.
As a graduate you are eligible to apply for the BSc(Hons) in Applied Bioscience at TUS.
Graduates of this programme have been successful in gaining entry to the five-year veterinary programme in the UK and in Europe (Slovakia, Hungary). Many students progress to Masters and PhD programmes having used the ladder system within TUS.
Additional Information
Accreditation:
This programme is accredited by the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI), the regulatory body governing veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing in Ireland, and graduates are eligible to enter onto the Register of Veterinary Nurses in Ireland – a requirement which must be met in order to work as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
The programme also has ACOVENE (Accreditation for Veterinary Nurse Education) accreditation. This accreditation is a pan-European quality assurance tool and makes it easier for students from accredited courses to find a job abroad.
For additional information about this Level 7 undergraduate programme, please contact:
Head of Department: Dr. Cormac O’Shea, Department of Bioveterinary and Microbial Sciences, Tel: +353 (0)906468103; e-mail: coshea@ait.ie
Programme Coordinators: Gillian Coughlan/Maeve O’Reilly, Tel. +353 (0)90-6483091 or +353 (0)90-6468011; e-mail: gcoughlan@ait.ie / moreilly@ait.ie
Course Details
- Course Duration:
- 3 Years
- CAO Course Code:
- US738
- Cut Off CAO Points:
- 440
- Course Award:
- Bachelor of Science
- Course NFQ Level:
- Level 7
- Department:
- Dept of Life & Physical Sciences
- Minimum Entry Requirements:
-
Laboratory-based science subject at Grade H6 in higher level or 03 in ordinary level, plus four subjects at Grade 06 at ordinary level, to include Mathematics and a language (English or Irish). Mature applicants who apply via CAO and who are shortlisted will be required to attend an interview.
Can mature students apply to the BSc in Veterinary Nursing?
There is very heavy demand for places year-on-year, with CAO points cutting in the region of 400 – 430 being the norm.
As an alternative to the Leaving Certificate, you can opt to compete on the basis of a QQI Level 5 award in ANY discipline. In this case you are required to have the following:
QQI: QQI Level 5 award in any discipline in addition to the following three Leaving Certificate requirements: minimum of O6/H7 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics, a minimum of O3/H6 in any Science subject OR QQI Level 5 award in any discipline which should include a minimum of a pass in a QQI Mathematics module and a minimum of a Merit in a QQI Biology module as part of the QQI level 5 overall award.There is a quota in place for QQI applicants (maximum of 5 places). Demand is very high each year, making for competitive entry. Realistically, only those presenting with 8 modules at distinction grade compete for a place on a random selection basis.
Accreditations/Endorsements
Careers & Opportunities
Career Prospects
The course provides students with essential scientific and nursing skills that are essential for supporting a veterinary practice.
Graduates will be eligible to work in animal welfare, animal nutrition, practice management and the associated veterinary product industries.
Work Placement
Work placement will include 30 weeks clinical placement over the 3 years in a small animal, equine and large animal hospitals.
8 weeks in first and second year from May to July and a 14 week placement in year 3 during semester 2. You will also be required to spend two residential weeks at Gurteen College, Ballinagarry, Roscrea, Co Tipperary during both first and second year of the degree programme. The cost of this week must be paid by the student.
Further Study
As a graduate you are eligible to apply for the BSc(Hons) in Applied Bioscience at TUS.
BSc(Hons) in Applied Bioscience
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
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