[Missymiss22]

I know there is a few threads on the Vet Nursing but I couldnt find any that answer what Im looking for. So I just have some questions about the Veterinary Nursing degree course.

1. Is Dentistry studied on the course?
2. Do you have to find your own Vet Clinic for placement or is there set places to send students?
3. Would anyone have an estimated cost of the Gurteen College placement?

Thanks for any help with these

[x Purple Pawprints x]

Originally Posted by Missymiss22

I know there is a few threads on the Vet Nursing but I couldnt find any that answer what Im looking for. So I just have some questions about the Veterinary Nursing degree course.

1. Is Dentistry studied on the course?
2. Do you have to find your own Vet Clinic for placement or is there set places to send students?
3. Would anyone have an estimated cost of the Gurteen College placement?

Thanks for any help with these

Hey Missymiss22, I graduated from this course in 2010 so I think I can help you out.

1. Dentistry is done on the course. The subjects have changed slightly since I studied but it's usually done in year one probably in Anatomy & Physiology and/or Animal Husbandry.

2. As far as I remember you do have to find your own place but the clinic has to be registered to take students. Don't worry though, you're not totally on your own, whoever is in charge of your placement will help you out if you're stuck.

3. The cost of the Gurteen placement is about €200 for the two weeks as far as I remember, it could have increased slightly since I was there though.

Hope this was of help. Good luck.

[Missymiss22]

Thanks soo much for that info Jane. Its great to get some feedback from people who have done the course.
Just wondering aswell is there a lot of course books/ study books on the course or is it mostly practical learning?
(As you can tell Im just a bit over excited about the thought of getting on the course lol )
Thanks a mil

[Irishchick]

Im in second year at the minute.

Dentistry is covered but not in depth. You can gain further knowledge while on placement.

You have to find your own clinic for placement but they have a folder full of practices willing to take students if you are struggling to find anywhere.

Gurteen was 250 euro this year and last.


There is more study than practical, allot more.

[x Purple Pawprints x]

Originally Posted by Missymiss22

Thanks soo much for that info Jane. Its great to get some feedback from people who have done the course.
Just wondering aswell is there a lot of course books/ study books on the course or is it mostly practical learning?
(As you can tell Im just a bit over excited about the thought of getting on the course lol )
Thanks a mil

Like Irishchick has said it's more study than practical really but there's no real need to go buying books tbh. There are some in the library. I would recommend that you have a look at the BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing, it has a purple cover. It's a very good book. Best of luck with the course!

Originally Posted by Irishchick

Im in second year at the minute.

Dentistry is covered but not in depth. You can gain further knowledge while on placement.

You have to find your own clinic for placement but they have a folder full of practices willing to take students if you are struggling to find anywhere.

Gurteen was 250 euro this year and last.


There is more study than practical, allot more.

Wow Gurteen went up a good bit since I was there.

[Irishchick]

You wont need to buy any books for the course if you don't want to. all are available in the library and most lecturers put notes up online for you to print and have.

[Missymiss22]

Thanks guys,
I was just a little curious about the difference of the Athlone course compared to the UCD course (but Id have to sell me granny to afford UCD ). Just from doing work experience in Vets the dentistry (cleaning etc) is mostly done by the nurses so I wasnt sure if the Athlone course covered this.

Gurteen I was expecting to be much more tbh lol. Good news about the books though, Id had a peek on Amazon and some of the prices are crazy!!! . Ill be a very broke student so every little helps lol Thanks for the recommendation on the BSAVA Textbook Jane, Ill have a look

Thanks, Missy

[Irishchick]

No problem. If you have any other questions just post them. I know what its like to be confused or have questions about a course so ill help you out if I can.

[x Purple Pawprints x]

Originally Posted by Missymiss22

Thanks guys,
I was just a little curious about the difference of the Athlone course compared to the UCD course (but Id have to sell me granny to afford UCD ). Just from doing work experience in Vets the dentistry (cleaning etc) is mostly done by the nurses so I wasnt sure if the Athlone course covered this.

Gurteen I was expecting to be much more tbh lol. Good news about the books though, Id had a peek on Amazon and some of the prices are crazy!!! . Ill be a very broke student so every little helps lol Thanks for the recommendation on the BSAVA Textbook Jane, Ill have a look

Thanks, Missy

The UCD course is a 4 year degree now and there is a lot more practical work. Athlone is 3 years and there's more study than practical as Irishchick said. As far as I know the last semester in 3rd year is now all placement which it wasn't when I was there, we had a block of 10 or 12 weeks in each year. As far as I can remember I got that book on eBay and it was around 60 euro but if you can afford it at all I think it's well worth it. I've just looked it up and it actually has a pink cover now because it's the 5th edition, mine is the 4th.

Best of luck!

[Pebbles82]

Hey just throwing my 10 pence worth in..
AIT now has an additional 4th year for Veterinary practice management and advanced nursing which covers acupuncture and physiotherapy as well as a lot more. its a level 8 degree. which is level with UCS and alot cheaper for living and costs etc.
Best of luck with your decision..I went back as a mature student and best decision I ever made

[x Purple Pawprints x]

Originally Posted by Pebbles82

Hey just throwing my 10 pence worth in..
AIT now has an additional 4th year for Veterinary practice management and advanced nursing which covers acupuncture and physiotherapy as well as a lot more. its a level 8 degree. which is level with UCS and alot cheaper for living and costs etc.
Best of luck with your decision..I went back as a mature student and best decision I ever made

I'm wondering if I know you, lol.

Might be heading back in September for Veterinary Practice Management, fingers crossed I can afford it.

[thegreatgonzo]

Would love to hear what you think of 4th year. I'm in 3rd year too like Pebbles and thinking of doing the 4th year next year. Was just looking at it on moodle there and they seem to have changed the subjects from last year.

[x Purple Pawprints x]

Unfortunately I won't be going back this year, maybe next year. One of the girls that did Vet Nursing with me did it last year and she really enjoyed it.