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Associate Degree of Veterinary Nursing

Code: HEPIADVN CRICOS: 084960A

Sorry, this course is not available for international students.

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Overview

Campus
Campus
Duration

2 years full time / 4 years part time

Next Intake

February

Next Intake

February

Important Note: This degree will not be taking new enrolments for 2023. All new intakes for 2023 will be into the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (a Latrobe University qualification delivered by Melbourne Polytechnic).

Career Pathways

Where will the Associate Degree of Veterinary Nursing take me?

You will be highly employable in veterinary clinics and hospitals as nurses and/or practice managers in a range of fields, including, small animal, mixed, equine, general, and specialist. There will also be opportunities in large organisations such as veterinary pharmaceutical, veterinary nutrition companies, and animal research facilities. As an Associate Degree of Veterinary Nursing graduate, you will also be capable of self-employment and conducting your own small business, including owning a veterinary practice.

Study Pathways

If you are a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (General) graduate, then you will be eligible for block credit for the first year of the Associate Degree. If you are a graduate of a different specialised Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, then you are welcome to apply for credit and this will be assessed on an individual basis.

Course Details

Delivery methods

Course delivery continues at Melbourne Polytechnic during the challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation the world is facing right now. Our top priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our community.

This program has responded to the COVID-19 restrictions by modifying its delivery to a blended model supporting remote learning. For the immediate term, we’ve changed the way our students attend class, with all lectures, tutorials and seminars moved online.

A collaborative learning environment is created through the requirement of students to attend synchronous online sessions at the normal class times. These sessions are run through Moodle, our learning management system, and conferencing software (e.g. Zoom or Teams). This includes assessment wherever possible.

Alternative arrangements are being made for activities which must be conducted on-campus.

  • Tutorials
  • Practical demonstrations
  • Work placements
  • Online components
  • Workshops
  • Classroom

Assessment Methods

Assessment will be based on a broad range of authentic tasks, involving individual and group responsibilities. The assessments will include assignments, tests, tutorial questions, oral presentations, client and staff educational materials development (videos, brochures, etc), case studies, practical skills tests, portfolios, role play scenarios, and a clinical placement journal.

Units of Study

Credit points are a basic measure of student workload. All subjects are given a credit point value. Most subjects at Melbourne Polytechnic are 12 credit points. A normal full-time annual workload is 96 credit points. The academic year is divided into two main semesters; full-time students usually enrol in 48 credit points each semester, part-time students usually enrol in 24 credit points each semester or less.

Code Subject Elective Description Year Semester
BVN111 FOUNDATION STUDIES FOR VETERINARY NURSING Core This subject is designed to enhance student numeracy and academic information and scientific literacy, in a relevant and applied manner. Students will be introduced to the concept of a scientific and evidence based approach, and how this can be applied in context as a student and veterinary nurse.
BVN112 VETERINARY CLINICAL PERSEPECTIVES ON ANIMAL FORM, FUNCTION AND HEALTH 1 Core This is an integrated subject focusing on Functional Animal Anatomy and Physiology, tying intimately with relativity to an animal’s state of health. A range of common health-related case studies will be examined by groups of students for each body system.
BVN113 ANIMAL CARE AND MANAGEMENT FOR THE VETERINARY TEAM Core This is an integrated subject which examines the basic care and management of a range of common animal species, required to achieve good animal health and welfare outcomes. While this subject will focus in detail on companion animals, it also examines the same factors in a range of other common species.
BVN114 INTRODUCTION TO VETERINARY NURSING PRACTICE Core Students will begin learning and practising the range of professional competencies, nursing and technical skills required by practising veterinary nurses. Students will be involved in regular skills laboratory workshops and real world clinical placements, in which they will be introduced to a number of skills required in veterinary nursing practice.
BVN121 COMMUNICATION FOR THE VETERINARY TEAM Core In this subject, students examine a range of effective communication methods and appropriate personal cognitive and coping skills, to help deal with what can be a stressful workplace. Students will also practice ways in which to communicate in a caring, effective and professional manner with clients and colleagues.
BVN122 VETERINARY CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES ON: ANIMAL FORM, FUNCTION AND HEALTH 2 Core This integrated subject continues on from BES112, with a continued examination of the functional anatomy and physiology and related health of animal body systems. Topic areas, such as fluid regulation and thermoregulation will also be introduced for students to learn to integrate the body systems into a whole animal perspective.
BVN123 VETERINARY NURSING PRACTICE 1 Core This subject continues to develop the competence of students in the skills required for a working veterinary nurse, with ongoing regular workshops in the on-campus skills laboratory and regular clinical placements. Student groups will also examine the nursing process, nursing models, nursing plans, nursing protocols, and sustainable nursing practices.
BVN124 BEHAVIOUR AND TRAINING IN SMALL ANIMALS FOR THE VETERINARY TEAM Core This elective subject offers students a thorough and practical introduction to small animal behaviour and training, enabling students to develop the underlying knowledge and skills required by small animal veterinary nurses to conduct puppy classes, advise owners on common behavioural and training problems, and to triage cases for veterinary care.
BVN125 INTRODUCTION TO EQUINE STUDIES FOR VETERINARY NURSING Core This elective subject offers students the opportunity to gain important underpinning equine knowledge and skills relevant to Equine Veterinary Nursing in such areas as equine anatomy and physiology, gait, equine behaviour, nutrition and horse husbandry. Students will also examine the range of roles available for Equine Veterinary Nurses.
BVN211 VETERINARY NURSING AND ANIMAL DISEASE Core This integrated subject examines the cause, investigation, treatment, management and prevention of animal disease from a veterinary perspective. It also introduces students to the science of pharmacology and veterinary pharmaceuticals and the skills and knowledge required to perform a range of common, in-house, clinical pathology tests.
BVN212 APPLIED VETERINARY CLINICAL SCIENCES Core Veterinary nurses today are often expected to act as the radiographers and anaesthetic technicians for routine imaging and surgical procedures. This subject examines the applied science behind imaging, anaesthesia and pain control and then helps students to apply this science to practice, in both a theoretical and practical sense.
BVN213 EVIDENCE BASED APPROACH FOR VETERINARY NURSES Core This subject helps to develop an understanding of research and scholarship in a veterinary nursing context and also helps to prepare students for the lifelong learning and scholarship required for a para-professional’s ongoing personal and professional development. The subject will also develop personal writing and critical peer review skills.
BVN214 VETERINARY NURSING PRACTICE 2 Core Students are progressively challenged with more complex and demanding veterinary nursing skill competency requirements during their regular on-campus skills laboratory sessions and clinical placements. Students will learn more deeply about nursing care plans, through their creation and implementation, together with developing a reflective approach to practice.
BVN221 HUMAN, PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN VETERINARY PRACTICE Core The veterinary nurse plays a key role in the management of the physical resources of a veterinary practice. Senior nurses and managers are also required to manage other staff and finances within a practice. This subject examines these areas from a theoretical perspective and then applies them into a veterinary practice context.
BVN222 ADVANCED VETERINARY NURSING PRACTICES Core Students integrate a range of theoretical understandings in complex practical scenarios, together with developing a range of advanced clinical skills. Students will learn how to educate and supervise junior colleagues and clients on a range of basic patient care measures. Students will also practice using an evidence-based, critically reflective approach to patient care.
BVN321 THE PRACTISING VETERINARY NURSE Core Students undertake a series of 'internship-like' intensive clinical placement immersions to ensure they graduate as work-ready veterinary nurses. Placement immersions will also add practical credibility to their theoretical learning. Students will be assisted in preparation for the veterinary nursing job market with help to develop written applications and interview skills.

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Fees & Costs

Fee-paying Places

Per year $20000
Per semester $10000
Per year $18400
Per semester $9200

When you are studying higher education courses you may qualify for FEE-HELP payments for part or all of your tuition fees. FEE-HELP loans do not cover materials costs.

Find out more information about FEE-HELP.

Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.

After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.

For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.

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Scholarships on offer

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Requirements

Applicants with recent secondary education
  • Successful completion of Year 12 VCE or recognised equivalent with a study score of at least 20 in any English and a study score of at least 20 in one of any Mathematics, Chemistry or Biology.
  • All applicants must also book an interview (late applications for interview bookings may be taken).
  • All applicants are required to submit a Personal Statement in which they detail their reasons for studying veterinary nursing, previous related experience and previous qualifications.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
  • Successful completion of a Diploma course in Veterinary Nursing or a related area.
  • All applicants must also book an interview (late applications for interview bookings may be taken).
  • All applicants are required to submit a Personal Statement in which they detail their reasons for studying veterinary nursing, previous related experience and previous qualifications.
Applicants with higher education
  • A complete or incomplete higher education qualification.
  • All applicants must also book an interview (late applications for interview bookings may be taken).
  • All applicants are required to submit a Personal Statement in which they detail their reasons for studying veterinary nursing, previous related experience and previous qualifications.
Applicants with work and life experience
  • At least two years of related industry experience.
  • All applicants must also book an interview (late applications for interview bookings may be taken).
  • All applicants are required to submit a Personal Statement in which they detail their reasons for studying veterinary nursing, previous related experience and previous qualifications.

Higher Education Admissions Criteria

As well as the specific entry requirements above, Melbourne Polytechnic admits students on the basis of the following categories:

If you have already studied higher education: Y ou may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if your highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree.

If you have studied a VET course: You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if your highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a vocational education and training (VET) course.

If you have recent secondary education: You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if you are a recent secondary education student whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the past two years.

If you have work and life experience: You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if you have work and life experience and left secondary education more than two years ago and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

Read more about higher education admissions criteria.

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Related Links

Important Note: This degree will not be taking new enrolments for 2021. All new intakes for 2021 will be into the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (a La Trobe University qualification delivered by Melbourne Polytechnic).

Schedule of Fees for Local Higher Education Students

You are currently looking at information for local students

Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.