Veterinary Nursing and Bioveterinary Science

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Erick Job Morgan
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1 Undergraduate Veterinary Nursing and Bioveterinary Science Bristol is proud to be the first university to offer this unique course. This exciting degree combines a high standard of education in both veterinary nursing and bioveterinary science along with the opportunity to work within a range of clinical environments, including first opinion and referral veterinary practice. This course enables you to develop your interest in science through studying subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Infection and Immunity, and Cellular and Molecular Pathology, amongst others. This knowledge will enhance and inform your clinical veterinary nursing training and equip you for employment. You will graduate with two qualifications a University of Bristol honours degree and the Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) qualification, which is awarded by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the regulatory body for the veterinary profession. Thus you will be qualified both academically and professionally, which is an advantage in terms of career progression. Upon graduation, this qualification will provide a platform that will enable you to choose from a broad range of options including excellent job prospects in veterinary practice. Why study Veterinary Nursing and Bioveterinary Science at Bristol? During the first two years of your degree, the majority of your studies will take place at the Pre-Clinical Veterinary School in Bristol. The Pre-Clinical Veterinary School is a purpose-built building which is home to the Comparative Morphology Centre and the newly opened Clinical Anatomy Suite. Facilities include the veterinary dissecting room which contributes to the provision of outstanding facilities for morphology teaching and research. The school excels in research in the areas of Musculo-skeletal Science, Neuroendocrinology and Reproduction and Mucin/ Glycoprotein science. You will also be taught at the School of Clinical Veterinary Science at Langford. The school combines both fundamental and applied research within a clinical environment. A significant number of staff are actively engaged in research in many aspects of veterinary science and have achieved prize-winning international recognition. This has the added advantage of enhancing the quality of teaching. The school s particular research strengths include animal welfare and behaviour, infection and immunology, and a number of different areas of comparative and clinical research including the alleviation of pain in animals, feline infectious diseases, and canine gastroenterology.

2 What will I study? BSc Veterinary Nursing and Bioveterinary Science (DC37) is a four-year course leading to an Honours degree from the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences. Years one and two You will be taught the fundamental concepts of anatomy and physiology and will be introduced to the principles of nursing and pre-clinical science. The second year builds upon the basic sciences by means of classroom-based study comprising a compulsory unit in Veterinary Anatomy plus the opportunity to select from one of two compulsory units either Physiology 2 or Cellular and Molecular Pathology with Infection and Immunity. In year two, there will also be four nursing units focusing on Anaesthesia and Fluid Therapy, Surgical Nursing and Theatre Practice and Medical Nursing Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Year three You will spend this year entirely on placement within both first opinion veterinary practice and the referral hospital at the School of Clinical Veterinary Science. This clinical placement will consolidate the knowledge of bioveterinary science theory gained in the first two years and will enable you to apply it within a clinical context. During your time on placement you will also be expected to complete a portfolio of practical tasks. In year three you will also study Veterinary Practice Management by means of a combination of lectures and online tutorials. Year four As a final-year student, you will undertake classroom-based study comprising the compulsory unit on Ethics and Welfare plus three additional units selected from a range of options, such as Advanced Medical or Surgical Nursing, Advanced Anaesthesia and Analgesia, Population Medicine and One Health and Pathological Basis of Disease. Final-year dissertation You will also be expected to undertake a ten week research project on a topic of your choice, which provides an opportunity for individual in-depth exploration of an aspect of veterinary nursing or bioveterinary science. This project involves the planning and execution of a piece of original research under the supervision of one or more members of academic staff. Study undertaken at this level will enhance your academic and practical skills and will help to maximise career opportunities on graduation. Assessment Assessment consists of a combination of written examinations, computer-based tests and written reports as well as practical examinations and viva voce exams as well as more formal examinations. Coursework plays a significant role in assessment and is continuous throughout the degree. Assessment of your practical competence is primarily carried out when you are working in practice to monitor and evaluate your progress.

3 Teaching methods A variety of teaching methods are used from formal lectures, seminars and tutorials to practical hands-on sessions in laboratories and within the first opinion and referral clinical environment at the Langford Veterinary School. Students receive lecture notes and guidance on the materials to read, but are expected to organise their own time and manage assignment deadlines and revision effectively. What support is available? At the start of your studies, you will be allocated a personal tutor who will meet with you regularly and provide general support and guidance throughout your time at Bristol. The Undergraduate Dean of Veterinary Nursing has extensive experience of handling a variety of student-related issues. What s life like as a student? Being a student at Bristol not only gives you the opportunity to study at a university that has an international reputation in both research and teaching but also to enjoy interests outside of your studies. The student community is diverse enabling you to make new friends and get involved in a variety of clubs and societies. The Students Union provides a supportive and stimulating environment in which you can thrive and offers more than 180 societies and 56 sports clubs. So, whether you enjoy performing, making music, volunteering, campaigning or playing sport, there is bound to be something that appeals to you. Centaur is the society of the Bristol Veterinary School and is run by students of all years. You will have the opportunity to attend many social events, including the annual Charity Ball. Social life at Langford is centred around the Langford House Club, which is run for students and staff and which holds a number of social events throughout the year. The city of Bristol is also student-friendly and offers fantastic shopping malls and independent stores as well as museums, theatres, cinemas, restaurants and bars which are all on your doorstep. There is a lively festival and event scene and the beautiful countryside of the West Country, Cotswolds and Wales are within easy reach. What are my career prospects? The BSc in Veterinary Nursing and Bioveterinary Science opens up a wide range of career opportunities. As a qualified veterinary nurse, you will be entered onto the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons RVN Register, which allows you to practise in a variety of clinical settings including first opinion veterinary practices and referral hospitals. There are also marketing and management opportunities within the commercial sector which includes pet insurance and veterinary pharmaceutical and nutrition companies. The degree also provides an academic foundation for other qualifications such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for those interested in teaching. The strong science base within the course will also provide the skills and knowledge required to work within veterinary research.

4 Is there any advice you can give me on making my application? When completing your UCAS application you should ensure that you include in your personal statement details of any work experience completed within a small animal veterinary practice. This should be of at least two weeks duration and may be spent in one or more practice. This work experience should give you an understanding of the role of the veterinary nurse. Additional work experience in other animal-related environments is also considered valuable. Information about any extracurricular activities, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, as well as how you have enhanced your social and personal skills through membership of societies, sports awards, or voluntary work will also enhance your application. If your application meets these initial criteria, you will be invited to an interview, during which you can expect to discuss the reasons for your proposed choice of career and how your work experience has informed this choice. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the demands and opportunities that you would encounter as a veterinary nurse, and also be able to make informed comments about current issues in veterinary nursing. You should also be able to discuss your reasons for applying to this particular course and what appeals to you about studying at Bristol. If this leaflet has sparked your interest in the course, but you are still not certain whether it is right for you, we would be happy to discuss any aspect of the course with you. Please contact School of Veterinary Science or the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Are there any health issues I need to be aware of? Certain health conditions may be incompatible with a career in veterinary nursing. If you have a chronic health problem or a physical disability you may be requested to provide further information. In determining acceptance to and graduation from this course, the Veterinary School must follow the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons s (RCVS) professional, prescribed standards as well as our own academic standards and regulations. We do not have the discretion to offer individuals dispensation from parts of the course as graduation leads to automatic inclusion on the RCVS Register and the right to practise as a Registered Veterinary Nurse within the UK. You should therefore expect to discuss any factors that may influence your ability to meet the requirements of the RCVS professional qualification. This will enable us to discuss the clinical nursing competencies set by the RCVS and to make an informed decision regarding your ability to cope with the requirements of the course as well as possible strategies that may be employed to enable you to be able to gain sufficient clinical nursing competence by the end of the course. You should be able to carry out all the tasks normally undertaken by a veterinary nurse. If this is in doubt, then such a case will be addressed on an individual basis and additional expert advice may be sought to inform our decision.

Entry data Typical offer for BSc Veterinary Nursing and Bioveterinary Science Please visit bristol.ac.

No specific subjects required IB Diploma 30 points with 6, 5, 5, at Higher level to include Biology and Chemistry Access Pass Access to HE Diploma (Science) with

5 in each part GCSE Grade B or above in Science, Mathematics and English Language, plus two other GCSEs at grade C or above Selection Initially by UCAS form.

5 Entry data Typical offer for BSc Veterinary Nursing and Bioveterinary Science Please visit bristol.ac.uk/ug13-vetnursing for other qualifications A-levels Typical offer BBC to include both Biology and Chemistry at grade B and one other academic subject AS-levels No specific subjects required IB Diploma 30 points with 6, 5, 5, at Higher level to include Biology and Chemistry Access Pass Access to HE Diploma (Science) with at least 21 credits at Distinction in Chemistry and Biology and 18 credits at Merit IELTS 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in each part GCSE Grade B or above in Science, Mathematics and English Language, plus two other GCSEs at grade C or above Selection Initially by UCAS form. All shortlisted applicants are invited for interview Part-time study No Deferred applications Welcomed Related courses Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Physiology Top: Skeleton Middle: Veterinary nurse preparing to assist with an operation Bottom: Veterinary nurse examining dog s ear

6 Contacts School information For further information on the School of Veterinary Science, please visit: bristol.ac.uk/vetscience/undergraduate/vnbs Useful contact information Admissions Undergraduate Admissions Office Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) Accommodation Accommodation Office Tel: +44 (0) bristol.ac.uk/accommodation Disability Services Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) bristol.ac.uk/disability-services University guide to the city of Bristol bristol.ac.uk/citybristol International Advice and Support Advice and Support for International Students Tel: +44 (0) bristol.ac.uk/international/studentsupport If you need all or part of this publication in an accessible format (eg in Braille, in larger print or on CD), please contact Widening Participation and Undergraduate Recruitment Tel: +44 (0) Student Funding Office Tel: +44 (0) bristol.ac.uk/studentfunding Photographic credit: Nick Smith, William King, Destination Bristol; other photographs University of Bristol. The information contained in this leaflet is correct at the time of printing (June 2012). Courses and facilities are liable to alter or be withdrawn at the University s discretion.

Veterinary nursing and bioveterinary science Undergraduate

Veterinary nursing and bioveterinary science Undergraduate I am currently working in the ICU at Langford as an emergency and critical care nurse and I am very happy with this role. It was my main goal