Veterinary Nursing with Small Animal Rehabilitation (with Placement) BSc (Hons)

There are increasing employment opportunities within veterinary nursing, veterinary practice management, the development of vet practices and the animal health industry. Harper Adams’ courses are approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the requirements for gaining the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Licence to Practice are written into the course structure, so you will not only have the skills and rights of a registered veterinary nurse but also those skills provided by an honours degree in science. Because of the vocational nature of the course, the content is a balance between practical work (vital to gain the necessary experience to become a qualified nurse) and the intellectual skills needed for a degree. You will learn practical skills at Harper Adams, via short block release during the university terms, from work experience completed during vacations and by the work placement year.

Work placement

To obtain the nursing qualification 60 weeks equivalent is spent working with registered veterinary nurse training practices, both as short block release and during the sandwich year. This hands-on experience complements the applied health, nursing, business and welfare sciences studied at Harper Adams. After a placement year in veterinary practice nursing, a range of optional modules will broaden your knowledge and boost your management skills. Experience in veterinary practice will continue throughout the course.

Accreditation

Accredited by: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Harper Adams’ courses are approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the requirements for gaining the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Licence to Practice are written into the course structure, so you will not only have the skills and rights of a registered veterinary nurse but also those skills provided by an honours degree in science. Graduates in Veterinary Nursing will receive the Licence to Practice at graduation and will be able to register with the RCVS as a qualified veterinary nurse.

Careers

Veterinary nursing is a career with lots of job satisfaction and there is a strong demand for qualified veterinary nurses. Although primarily a companion animal qualification, the degree offers modules for those interested in other species, increasing the job opportunities available upon graduating. Accounting and management skills boost career development for degree students. The pharmaceuticals industry employs trained veterinary nurses. The degree also opens the door to wider opportunities concerning the health and welfare of animals.

Employability

Currently the demand for qualified veterinary nurses (RVN) exceeds the supply. Our graduates usually find jobs readily and we often have employers looking for graduates we cannot supply. Harper Adams degree nurses have a good reputation in the sector, and we aim to keep that reputation.