Level 2

Learn the basics of animal nursing in this one-year course covering health, husbandry, exotics and nutrition. You’ll build skills through a mixture of hands-on tasks and theory at our dedicated animal learning centre – which includes a fully-equipped mock vet practice – alongside experience gained on work placements. This course offers a blended learning approach, with expectation to attend on-site teaching sessions twice per term. These teaching sessions will be alternated to provide greater attendance opportunity. Typically, students studying this course progress onto the Level 3 Diploma Veterinary Nursing course (VetSkill). This version of the course requires you to attend college, we also offer a distance learning version of this course.

This is a course that is fully dedicated to animal nursing students

Units Studied:

Deliver basic treatments to animals

Maintain animal accommodation

Provide feed and water to animals

Companion animal anatomy & physiology

Handling and restraint of animals

Principles of infection control for animal nursing assistants

Principles of companion animal pharmacy

Companion animal parasitology & zoonosis

Principles of companion animal anaesthesia and fluid therapy

Assessments:

A portfolio of work-related skills forms part of the assessment of this course, along with examinations, tests, assignments, witness testimony and practical assessments (at the college).

Applicants should be aged 19 or over, ideally have a placement as an auxiliary nurse in a veterinary practice, or in an animal-related placement.

Applicants are normally expected to have a level 2 already in English and Maths.

Students that successfully complete the course, and fulfil the entry criteria, can apply to progress to the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. This can be studied as a full-time students or as an apprenticeship.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to provide auxiliary nursing support within veterinary practices and may wish to continue study to qualify as a Registered Veterinary Nursing, a regulated profession.