About the course
Who is it for?
The course is designed for students who have studied A-levels or a vocational level 3 course other than the Veterinary Nursing diploma.
Entry requirements
Places on the course will be strictly limited, and there will be a rigorous selection process.
Entry requirements include;
- A minimum of 112 UCAS points from qualifications such as:
- GCE ‘A’ levels including at least a grade C in Biology, Chemistry, Science or Applied Science, typical offer BCC/ BBC
- BTEC Extended Diploma in Animal Management or Applied Science (Distinction Merit Merit)
- BTEC Diploma in Animal Management or Applied Science (Distinction*Distinction*)
- Access to HE (Science) Diploma including 45 credits at Level 3, 30 of which must be at least at Merit
- 5 GCSEs at Grade C/ 4 or above including English Language, Maths and Science.
- 4 weeks referenced work experience in a veterinary practice
- Ability to meet the recommendations set out in the RCVS Disability Guidance on the Recruitment of VN Students. These guidelines can be found on the RCVS website here.
What is the course structure?
The BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing is a four year programme including a 12 month work placement. The structure of the course is shown below.
The six week placement at the end of Year 1 is designed to allow both the Student Veterinary Nurse (SVN) and the Training Practice (TP) a chance to get to know each other, complete any induction or settling in process and to confirm the suitability of the training partnership before the start of the 12 month placement. It also gives UCR a chance to make any changes to placements or to support the SVN and the TP to iron out any issues that may arise.
Please note that the programme is currently going through the Validation process so may be subject to minor revisions prior to delivery.
Becoming a Training Practice
What is the TP committed to?
- Providing a suitably qualified and experienced member of staff to act as a Clinical Coach
- Ensuring the SVN has adequate time, opportunity and support to fulfil the RCVS requirements for 1800 hours (48 weeks) in practice, developing the RCVS Day One clinical skills and competencies
- Engaging in regular contact with the UCR Practice Liaison Officer via telephone calls and occasional visits
- Having primary responsibility for the welfare of the SVN during placement and reporting any concerns promptly to UCR
- As part of the Quality Assurance process for the Degree, RCVS and / or University of Chester are required to visit selected practices annually. Any TP with a Degree SVN must agree to allow these visits if requested.
What are the benefits to the TP?
- As the placement forms an integral part of a full-time Degree programme, there is no requirement for the SVN to be employed by the TP or to be paid a wage. Individual TPs may wish to employ and pay the SVN during the placement, but this would be an arrangement entirely between the TP and the SVN with no involvement from UCR
- UCR offers Clinical Coach training and regular CPD for qualified VNs free of charge to our affiliated TPs. The current programme of CPD can be viewed here
- You will have a designated TP Liaison Officer who will be your first point of contact with UCR and will support both the SVN and the TP throughout the placement
How are SVNs allocated to placements?
We will hold the details of all TPs who have agreed to host a Degree SVN on a secure database at UCR. When a student is accepted on to the programme they will be given access to the database and will contact the practices they are interested in being placed at. You then have the opportunity to invite the applicants to your practice for a visit and/or interview before offering them a placement.
Next steps
If you think your practice may be interested in hosting a Degree SVN then please contact Ellie Knight – Head of Centre for Veterinary Nursing, who will guide you through the placement set-up process.
Ellie Knight
Head of Centre for Veterinary Nursing
Tel: 01270 616490
University Centre Reaseheath – Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF
Tel: 01270 613284 | Email: UCR@reaseheath.ac.uk
