This qualification provides the technical knowledge and clinical/practical skills to work as a veterinary nurse. You will learn the skills needed to help animals attain, maintain or recover optimal health and quality of life. Graduates will also be able to practice sustainably and to engage in on-going learning in the field.
One year full-time
2023 Semester 1: 07 February to 10 November
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Fees can be found here.
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare individuals as a veterinary nursing care professional by providing them with the skills, knowledge and attributes needed to help animals attain, maintain or recover optimal health and quality of life. Graduates will also be able to practice sustainably and to engage in on-going learning in the field.
This qualification is targeted at individuals who have already completed the Veterinary Nursing Assistant strand of New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) or equivalent and who seek to further their veterinary nursing education.This qualification will provide individuals with technical veterinary nursing skills in a clinical environment as well as the ability to manage patients and clients, and follow protocols in all aspects of clinical veterinary practice.
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
DVN611 Diagnostic Sampling
The student will develop knowledge and skills in Diagnostic Sampling. The student will also learn practical laboratory skills and techniques.
DVN612 Veterinary First Aid and Triage
The student will develop knowledge and skills in veterinary first aid, triage and emergency response. To include, but not restricted to, identifying differing types of emergencies along with the appropriate response, CPR, decontamination procedures, toxicology, creation and maintenance of a ‘crash cart’. The student will also refine the skills required to run the front-of-house station of a veterinary clinic, utilising the specialised Vision VPM suite. To include, but not restricted to, admissions and discharges including client training in aftercare, referrals and revisits.
DVN614 Surgical Instruments and Medical Imaging
The student will develop knowledge and skills in the set-up, maintenance, troubleshooting and use of various categories of surgical equipment. The student will also develop knowledge and skills in the set-up, maintenance, troubleshooting and use of various categories of imaging equipment. Be able to interpret the results of patients monitoring equipment.
DVN615 Manage Veterinary Nursing Services
The student will develop further knowledge and skills and refine the practical skills required to run the front-of-house station of a veterinary clinic, utilising the specialised Vision VPM suite. To include, but not restricted to, admissions and discharges including client training in aftercare, referrals and revisits. The student will also learn how to run weight management clinics and puppy preschool as well as how to set up and run preventative health clinics (Wellness Clinics) and behaviour modification programmes.
DVN621 Surgical Veterinary Nursing
The student will develop knowledge and skills in anaesthesia delivery, monitoring, recognition, interpretation and response to anaesthetic events in both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. The student will be trained in administration of analgesia and the theory of pain relief. The student will be able to maintain and prepare advanced medical equipment for use, provides correct storage of same and be able to participate in procedures using such equipment. Will be capable of providing sterile assistance in surgery. The student shall develop the knowledge and skills to participate in providing dental procedures.
DVN622 Medical Veterinary Nursing
The student will develop knowledge and skills in the pathophysiology of common diseases, understanding of pharmacology, including basic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, medications for specific conditions, medication indications and contra-indications plus toxicology. The student will be trained in the writing of and the implementation of treatment plans based on the SOAP protocol and to use evidence based practice to provide patient-centred care. Including but not restricted to: formulating, administering and monitoring a range of fluid therapies including constant rate infusions; preparation and administration of drugs through common routes; wound care, bandaging, nutritional support, chemotherapeutic drugs and radioactive therapy, physiotherapy and specialised nursing techniques. The management of the needs of compromised hospitalised patients in high dependency or ICU environments.
Graduates of this qualification may be employed in a veterinary clinic as a veterinary nurse or in animal related businesses.
Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age, and have attained the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) with strand in Veterinary Nursing Assistant.
Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 3 or above in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.
English Language Requirements
Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following
IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill. OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 Language Cert - C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band
* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve a minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary nursing (Level 6).
(Please note: students failing to attend for 80% of timetabled programme hours may forfeit zero fees entitlement)
Classes are held Monday to Friday, 9.00am-4.00pm at SIT's Invercargill campus. The timetable will be confirmed at the start of each term during the year.
