Programme outline
This programme is for those wanting to become a Veterinary Nurse. We offer the Companion Animal Strand which covers cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and rodents.
Veterinary Nursing is a highly rewarding profession, working within an interprofessional team to provide healthcare to animal patients. As a qualified veterinary nurse, you will have a high level of responsibility within your scope of practice and will be eligible to apply for voluntary registration with the Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council.
During this programme you will gain the knowledge, skills, and attributes to work in animal healthcare settings such as veterinary clinics, veterinary product suppliers, government agencies, zoos, animal rescues or research organisations.
More detail about this qualification
This programme is delivered by blended learning, i.e., face to face and online learning. This means some of your lessons may be delivered via Moodle (our online learning platform), which will require you to have a computer and internet access at home.
You will be required to attend the following on-campus days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for the first seven weeks and then Wednesday and Thursdays.
Placement
You must complete at least 750 hours of work placement during the two-year programme. You will complete your placements across different facilities including a minimum of 45 hours in an animal related facility and a minimum of 480 hours in veterinary clinics – a minimum of two clinics is strongly recommended. Placements will need to be organised for non-teaching days, and we recommend you organise your placement close to your home. More information about organising your placement will be provided upon enrolment.
Courses
Entry requirements
To be admitted to this programme, applicants must meet the following academic admission requirements:
NCEA Level 2 or higher including a minimum of:
- 12 credits in English at Level 2 or higher
- 12 credits in Mathematics at Level 1 or higher
- 12 credits of relevant science (preferably Biology) at Level 1 or higher
Or
- New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4)
- New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4)
- New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Level 3)
Or
- A recognised equivalent
In addition to meeting the requirements for admission, all applicants must complete a health and criminal declaration form to ensure fitness to practice, prior to acceptance into the programme.
*Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the delegated authority.
Selection processes may apply where the number of applications exceed the number of available places.
Course related costs
The following costs are approximate. Confirmed costs and details on where to purchase your uniform will be sent out prior to the programme's start date.
Uniform: $100
Medical Equipment: $135
Placement travel costs: these will vary depending on where you live and where your placements are.
Credit recognition
If you have relevant skills and knowledge through study or experiences in work or other activities, you may be able to receive credit for them when enrolling in a programme of study. This is done through a process called credit recognition.
How to apply
Complete the health and criminal declaration form and save to your computer so you can attach it when you complete the online application.
Do you have enough time?
To check which study options best fit your lifestyle, try our handy time calculator tool
Give yourself credit →
Use the knowledge you already have to fast-track your qualification. Workplace-learning, volunteering, professional development, other provider qualifications and online courses can be recognised as prior learning and put towards your qualification. Start by getting in touch with us, or find out more here.
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