Aspiring veterinary nurses now have a further educational option to consider when completing their CAO with the addition of MTU’s new three-year BSc in veterinary nursing degree programme at its Kerry campus.
The full-time level 7 ordinary bachelor degree undergraduate programme (course code: MT784), which offers 32 places in total, builds on the success of the university’s programmes in veterinary bioscience, wildlife biology, animal bioscience, agricultural science, pharmacy technician and pharmaceutical science.
According to a spokesperson for the university, veterinary nursing students will gain a strong foundation in the principles of veterinary nursing through a blend of traditional learning methods coupled with the use of immersive technology.
Opportunities to apply scientific principles in practicals and workshops are embedded throughout the on-campus delivery and in veterinary practice work placement during the second and third years of the programme.
All relevant practical competencies will be covered in relation to dogs, cats, horses, farm animals and exotic species.
The spokesperson outlined that this course has been developed in “close” collaboration and consultation with industry and practicing vets in the region.
To be eligible for the programme, students must meet the minimum entry requirements in five subjects – O5/H7 in five other subjects, which must include Maths and either English or Irish at O6/H7 level.
Modules and exams
The delivery of this programme will be based on the development of four pillars of student development:
- Core science and clinical knowledge;
- Veterinary nursing knowledge;
- Practical veterinary nursing skills development;
- Professionalism of a veterinary nurse.
Course modules include but are not limited to chemistry, animal behaviour and welfare, veterinary anatomy, small animal nursing, farm animal veterinary nursing, equine veterinary nursing, clinical skills (two separate modules), clinical placements (two separate modules), diagnostic techniques in veterinary nursing, veterinary parasitology and diagnostics.
As part of the 180-credit award programme, students must attend a minimum of 80% of practical sessions and achieve a minimum of 40% in practical continuous assessment and a minimum of 30% in the final exam element of all subjects.
How to apply
According to the spokesperson, graduates from this programme can seek employment as a veterinary nurse in a veterinary practice and/or they can qualify to progress to attain a level 8 honours degree in their respective field.
That’s Farming has requested a statement from the Veterinary Council of Ireland regarding MTU’s veterinary nursing course and is, at the time of publishing this article, awaiting a response.
The course is now available through CAO.ie under the code MT784.
Late applications are open until 5 pm on May 1st, 2023, and the change of mind deadline is 5 pm on July 1st, 2023.
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 council.
As previously reported by That’s Farming, the following institutions offer approved veterinary nursing education in Ireland:
| 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) |
Previous farming news articles on That’s Farming:
- Thinking of a career in veterinary nursing?
- VCI-approved courses that lead to a vet nursing career
- Working as an RVN (Registered Veterinary Nurse) in Ireland – Hear from Kathrina Conneely via this article.
