Munster Technological University – MTU – is currently seeking accreditation from the Veterinary Council of Ireland for its new three-year veterinary nursing degree programme, writes farming journalist, Catherina Cunnane.
The new full-time level 7 ordinary bachelor degree undergraduate programme (course code: MT784), which the university launched earlier this week, offers 32 places in total.
Its launch builds on the success of the university’s programmes in veterinary bioscience, wildlife biology, animal bioscience, agricultural science and pharmaceutical science.
The delivery of this programme – which will welcome its first cohort of candidates in September 2023 – will be based on the development of four pillars of student development as follows:
- Core science and clinical knowledge;
- Veterinary nursing knowledge;
- Practical veterinary nursing skills development;
- Professionalism of a veterinary nurse.
Work as a vet nurse in Ireland
To practice as a veterinary nurse in Ireland, you must successfully complete and graduate from a VCI accredited/recognised course to enable you to register with the body.
As previously reported by That’s Farming, there are five VCI-approved veterinary nursing courses in Ireland as follows:
| Technological University of the Shannon (Formally AIT) | Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing (BScVN) |
| Dundalk Institute of Technology | Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing (BScVN) |
| Atlantic Technological University (Formally LYIT) | Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing (BScVN) |
| St. John’s Central College | QQI Level 6 Advance Science (Veterinary Nursing) |
| National University of Ireland (UCD) | Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (DipVN) |
VCI’s statement
That’s Farming editor, Catherina Cunnane, contacted the VCI in relation to MTU’s offering, a query to which a spokesperson for the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing in Ireland, provided the following statement to our publication:
“The veterinary nursing programme in MTU has not to date been accredited by the VCI; however, accreditation is offered to veterinary nursing programmes only on the year of graduation of the first cohort of students.”
“The VCI can confirm that MTU is in contact with the VCI in relation to an application for accreditation for a new programme of veterinary nursing.”
“The Veterinary Council of Ireland cannot comment further on any programmes that are seeking accreditation,” the spokesperson concluded.
