Recommendations for Veterinary Nursing courses

Dapos

Hey, my sister is doing the leaving cert this year and she is thinking of doing veterinary nursing. Any advice on good courses? I saw a Bachelor of Science (veterinary Nursing) in Athlone IT. Think there is one in cork too. Any advice/ Recommendations would be great.

Dapos

anyone?

Ado86

Hi,

Im currently studying veterinary medicine and I would know people who have completed the veterinary nursing courses both in UCD, and in Athlone IT. It totally depends on the person - if they want to leave home or not, the courses are practically identical from what I gather, the graduates receive the same qualification and would get the same job opportunities. The one thing I would say is that the veterinary nurses who go to UCD probably do have an advantage in that they do some of their rotations in the veterinary teaching hospital, where they would be exposed to working with the best facilities and teachers in the country.

Best of luck.

jacket/potato

im in second yr vet nursing in ait and ill tell ya best place ever to do it!! the points are cut off point 380 but because the class sizes are kept at 40(for a more individual hands on experience) she would need maybe 400..
we study both the lab side and the practical side of veterinary nursing and cover both small and large animal placement.. after easter we go on 10 weeks placement in a vet practice where we get to learn the more practical side of it and in the three years we cover small large and equine
Also once a year we organise a lecturer to come ion with exotics and we learn about spiders, snakes etc so we cover a huge range of ground in the college.
as vet nurses with only 110 all together this year in the 7000 strong college we have organised a vet nursing soociety so all the years can meet and we organize class parties and table quizzes.in my opinion ait is the best place to do it because u get such a rounded perspective of the career and u get to no wat siode u would like the most, pharm , practice, behaviour or a continuation onto veterinary medicine somewhere else.

best of luck regards,
jacket/potato
vetnurse yr2 AIT

tabouli

I *think* there's a new one in the DKIT starting in 2008, but I don't know much about it.

Dapos

Thanks for the replies. would the course in cork be the same qualification as dublin and athlone? Also is there an interview process and do you need some work experience or something?

jacket/potato

the course in cork is only an animal care course. you don't get the same level qualification. mind you, it wouldn't be a bad idea to use it as a stepping stone for the nursing courses!

Dr_Darkness

Sorry to hijack this thread but does anyone know if the Animal Care Diploma in Bray Institute of Further Education any good? My friend was thinking of studying this course and using it as a stepping stone to one of the University courses in Veterinary Nursing

dizzydudge

Hi Im doing the animal care course in St Johns College Cork, im nearly finished the first year, the second year is veterinary nursing in the second year. The course has just been reviewed by the veterinary council and is in the process of being approved as a recognised vet nursing course but nothing is definite yet. But in the near future, Athlone, Cork and Dublin courses will all be recognised vet nursing qualifications.
Im really enjoying the course there is quite a lot of theory to learn and its up to the student to organise work experience once a week and block weeks.

suraheg

Hey guys

I'm doing vet nursing in UCD and working in Navan while doing it. It's really great having hands on work experience everyday and then going to college 8 weeks a year. It's also really good doing rotations in the UCD hospital cause you get to see a lot more cause its a referral centre. I would really recommend doing it here. The vet nurse register has only accredited the course in ucd as producing proper vet nurses. Though I think athlone is in the process of being accredited. Doing it in UCD forces you to be a good vet nurse what with all the practical work as well as the lectures.

Really enjoying it!

suraheg

If ur friend is planning on doing vet nursing in UCD theres no stepping stone into it. Unless shes a mature student. If shes not she'll have to get all the required leaving cert results.:D

Dr_Darkness wrote: »

Sorry to hijack this thread but does anyone know if the Animal Care Diploma in Bray Institute of Further Education any good? My friend was thinking of studying this course and using it as a stepping stone to one of the University courses in Veterinary Nursing

pseudo_23

hi guys, i'm gonna weigh in here and pick your brains. I really want to study veterinary nursing in 2008 as a mature student at UCD. (as far as i can tell AIT don't accept mature applications). I see one of you works at a Navan practice, i currently live in navan so any advice on how to improve my chances of gaining a place in 08 would be much appreciated, such as how to apply for a job at a practice, ways of improving your chance of getting that job, etc?. Thank you!, your experience would help me out alot.

suraheg

Hey,

I work in a practice in Navan, but of I know of there isn't much practices looking for trainee vet nurses. You could try Foleys off flower hill but I think that vet doesn't like taking on trainees as he;'s stuck when they go to college. Theres a couple more I think. But your best bet is to look in the IVJ (irish veterinary journal) cause they always have job opportunities in the back. Not sure where you could get one tho. Could try researching it online?

You would be better off as a mature student going to UCD. It's a lot easier getting in there as a mature student with experience rather than a leaving cert student with none. I think when they look at applicants they make sure ur already in a practice. So you would be best going to find a job in a practice first and then applying. Vets look for people with reception skills and some experience with animals (depending on where you go of course). So maybe try volunteering with the dogs trust, drogheda pound? meath pound. somewhere you get some hands on experience. And drop your CV into all the vets you know of cause its the only way to get a job in a practice.

Sorry if this isn't any help.
If you have anymore questions ask away

pseudo_23

that was uber helpful, at this stage any advice is helpful as i don't know anybody in the veterinary field. Also one more question, UCD state you have to be emplyed for 20 hours per week at a vet practice, but do you have to be employed as a trainee nurse or could i find a position as an administrator or something at a vet?. Thanks!

suraheg

Hey,

Yeah u have to be employed as a trainee vet nurse, 20 hours a week is very little most vets want u to be there full time. If ur sending ur cv's into vets send a cover letter too just saying ur applying for vet nursing in ucd. You need to download the list of ucd accredited practices too, cause if ur working in one that isnt accredited they wont take u in.

pseudo_23

thats great, thank you so much. I've downloaded the info pack and i see here that if your vet isn't on the list, they can apply to be put on the list prior to you beginning the course. So fingers crossed now, i'm gonna apply to all vets in Navan/surrounding area. You may see my cv yourself!.

Thanks again.

pseudo_23

two more things while i think of them.....

what kind of salary should i expect for say, 40 hours a week as a trainee (i imagine salary is poor but i don't mind)

and how likely am i to get a place as a mature student at UCD, is it a very competetive course?.....(i know there were 33 places last year total, 13 of which were allocated for mature students, but what is the number of people who applied last yr, anyone know?.....

Thanks!

derek27

pseudo_23 wrote: »

...(as far as i can tell AIT don't accept mature applications). I see one of you ...

I'm Staff at AIT, and I'm sure that jacket/potato will know who I am because of my nickname on here. AIT do of course accept mature applicants on all of it's courses, regardless of the faculty intended. Indeed, they actually reserve a fixed number of places on all courses and encourage mature applications.

The Vet nursing course at AIT in my opinion offers a large component of hands-on laboratory experience, has a requirement for practical experience, and the staff at the college are almost always available to help individual students with any difficulties they are having with their studies, owing in part to the fact that the classes have a fixed capacity, as someone previously mentioned.

The colleges mature student environment is also very inviting and engaging, and I would recommend it to anyone considering it. I started out here at 25, got my degree, and am since working on my PhD here while doing some part-time teaching.

suraheg

yeah well i get 7euro an hour which is REALLY bad but some people get less. depends on where u get a job. The plus side of going to ucd is that most of the year ur working as a nurse, you get so much hands on experience! its great!

i think 400 people applied last year altogether not sure though..!

pseudo_23

really? - is €7 euros even legal?.....

suraheg

yeah i think u only legally have to get 6.50 an hour cause ur technically doing an apprectiship

pseudo_23

thanks alot uve been so helpful. I've posted 8 CVs today so we'll see how it all goes.

Dr_Darkness

Hi Suraheg,

Thanks for your response, my friend is 28 years old, so yeah she would be a mature student.

She has no experience in working with animals, apart for her deep love for them and caring for tons of pets that she owns.

My friend was going to apply to do a PLC course and then see how she likes it before applying for trainee nurse position within a practice.
I guess if she had some sort of animal care qualification behind her, it might help her to get into a trainee nurse position because she has no qualifications in the animal care field whatsoever.

What do you think?

I am really enjoying this thread, as it has a lot of information which I can pass unto her.

Thanks for your feedback.

suraheg

Dr_Darkness wrote: »

Hi Suraheg,

Thanks for your response, my friend is 28 years old, so yeah she would be a mature student.

She has no experience in working with animals, apart for her deep love for them and caring for tons of pets that she owns.

My friend was going to apply to do a PLC course and then see how she likes it before applying for trainee nurse position within a practice.
I guess if she had some sort of animal care qualification behind her, it might help her to get into a trainee nurse position because she has no qualifications in the animal care field whatsoever.

What do you think?

I am really enjoying this thread, as it has a lot of information which I can pass unto her.

Thanks for your feedback.

Hey

You're friend should definitly apply for a plc course, though theres no definite way of going from a plc into nursing. From what i've heard though people who are applying as mature students need to show that they're willing to study etc. seeing as theyve been out of school a while. Most PLCs arent much good but id say to stick it out cause it would look better on an application and in most plc's you have to do work experience one day a week in a practice. i did a plc for a couple of months and didnt like it so i left and kept working in the practice anyway and thats where i work still so good can come out of doing a plc.


hope this helps in some way!
Sarah

Dr_Darkness

Your response certainly helped a lot Sarah. Thanks so much!

I will definately pass on your advice and comments to my friend.

anniehoo

Hi guys...i work in the vet college...not as a nurse but can give anyone names and ph numbers of the tutors in there who are all lovely and would be more than willing to talk to you. The college is great for CPD (continuing professional development) courses. Ive also heard talk of it becoming a recognised degree soon. I dont know anything about other institutions but can help with UCD if interested! Great career choice...tough though but v rewarding!:)

pseudo_23

i myself have no 'actual' experience with animals, but i do have a certificate in life sciences. I do have 3 golden retrievers so i have experience with animals like your friend. I've sent out 25 CV's at this stage and i only got 1 reply (to say they had no vacancies, CV put on file etc) so it is a tough gig.

I'm gonna keep trying. Any tips from anyone about where i might be failing on my apllications?.

suraheg

i would go around different vets in persons and ask to speak to the practice manager. most people would rather see a person in person..

pseudo_23

i interviewed on Friday surah and i feel it went well, i should hear back tomorrow or tuesday so fingers crossed!.

suraheg

no way! thats great, hope u get it! apply for VN straight away if u get it did u have the interview in navan???

pseudo_23

hi suraheg, i interviewed in Ratoath. Very nice people and seems like a real teaching clinic. So hopefully!. Thanks for your help!, you guys probably got my cv at some stage this month too!. Which clinic you at?.

mini5476

I've just finished the Cork course we will be able to become registered veterinary nurses (We got conformation of this from the Veterinary council on May 9th). I would highly reccommend the Cork course.

suraheg

Hey Pseudo,

So did u get a job in ratoath???

bargaryn

Hey can anyone help me.

Im going back to college as a mature 23 year old. Ive applied to St John's college cork for animal care followed by veterinary nursing in the 2nd year.

Can anyone tell me if this course is registered yet and will i be seen as a proper veterinary nurse at the end of it. Im living in tipperary and dont want to have to move to Dublin or Athlone. It would be so easy to just drive to cork.

But i also dont want to waster my time if its for nothing.

Anyone.................

bargaryn

bargaryn wrote: »

Hey can anyone help me.

Im going back to college as a mature 23 year old. Ive applied to St John's college cork for animal care followed by veterinary nursing in the 2nd year.

Can anyone tell me if this course is registered yet and will i be seen as a proper veterinary nurse at the end of it. Im living in tipperary and dont want to have to move to Dublin or Athlone. It would be so easy to just drive to cork.

But i also dont want to waster my time if its for nothing.

Anyone.................

It might be worth enquiring the the department you'll be studying in yourself, since they'd know off-hand.

Miriam Keys

Dear Dapos
i have a daughter who recently completed this course. she cannot get a job as this course is not yet yet!! accredited to the VCI. They have issued vets with a notice that insurance is a problem with nurses not members of the VCI unless AIT can get accredited this course is of little use for further information contact VCI

lisajane

What's the pay like for a mature student? Minimum wage? I have always wanted to work with animals and hopefully do vet nursing in the future. Im getting my cv out there and looking for work as a vet assistant. I have no experience with animals, except for my pets and the odd pet sitting when i was younger. I have started to do a distance learning course in animal care from barony college in scotland. Im hoping this might show employers that i am interested and they might consider taking me on.

lachicachinese

I don't think its quite so easy to get into Veterinary Nursing in UCD, there are only 13 places available for mature applicants, and there are over 147 trainee nurses on the provisional register all trying to get in. This is my second year applying and UCD have yet again rejected my application and have provided no reason only that there was a high number of applicants. I've been working at a veterinary clinic for almost 2 years now and was raised on a farm. They tell me to reapply again in 2009! I'm nearing my mid thirties, I cannot afford to go back to college full time, I've nobody to support me but myself. I don't have enough points on my leaving cert to go through other routes.
Does anybody know of other courses that are available to mature students like myself?

angelfromthecoa

Hi, just wanted to clarify the qualifications that are received from UCD and Athlone. Although both courses are three years the course in UCD is part time and is a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and the course in Athlone is full time and is a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing with the option to further your career and study Veterinary Medicine which UCD does not offer.

angelfromthecoa

Hi, I totally understand your frustration, I too applied to UCD as a mature student two years running and have not been accepted even though I have alot of experience now and got great references from two Veterinary Surgeons, I also do alot of voluntary work with two animal welfare groups. I know a girl who got accepted for UCD this year even though she had only been working is a Veterinary Practice for four months before her application but she had a degree in Equine Science, so it begs the question that if you have a degree is it easier to further your education than if you don't have one because if that was the case do people with no previous degree or qualifications not deserve the opportunity to get an education? I have come to the conclusion that it is just pot luck who they pick as mature students. However I decided to apply to Athlone aswell this year and to my delight I have been accepted. I hadn't originally thought about applying to Athlone as I have been working full time in a registered training practice as a trainee veterinary nurse for the past two years but after I wasn't accepted last year to UCD I decided to keep my options open and am so glad I did as I learned that Athlone is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Veterinary Nursing with the option of continuing on to study Veterinary Medicine whereas UCD is a Diploma. I can understand the appeal of the UCD course because you continue to work in the practice and study at the same time but I have heard from two girls I worked with who attended UCD and left after the first year that working in a busy practice and studying is very difficult. It really is up to the individual student and their situation and if going back to full time education is not an option then you just have to keep applying to UCD until you get it and try and get as much experience in a Veterinary practice as possible and possibly do an animal care course. Hope this has been some help

mibbys

hey could anybody who is doing veterinary nursing in ucd tell me home many hours a week you have? , what time are lectures at? etc. i know that you have to do palecements too, is it fulltime? how many weeks? is it semesterised? when are exams? thanks a lot!

pw123

hey guys!!!
im sitting my leaving cert in june!!and seen a really good veteranary nursing course in dundalk!!!
just wondering is anybody doing it??and whats it like??
thanks:D

marge18

hey,
does anybody know whats happening with the entry requirements for ucd this year for vet nursing and if its now a full time course or is there part time positions still available?
cheers:D

claire*^*^*

hey im currently in 6th year and wana do veterinary nurseng when im finished school but i wana specialise it with horses can any1 tell do i have to do an ordainary veterinary nursinfg course 1st r is there some where i can do equine espacially???

fitz12

I've a question about veterinary nursing/medicine. I am a graduate from DIT in Geomatics, (this is to do with construction), I've been working nearly the last year doing this and i dont really like it so i want a change. I want to know if i do a veterinary nursing course can i go on to do veterinary medicine as i would not have the points to do veterinary medicine from the start. I've been in contact with DKIT and AIT and they haven't really given me an answer in relation to this and UCD have not got back to me. Hope someone can help. Has anyone done the veterinary nursing course in any of these colleges and gone on to do veterinary medicine.

Regards

lisajane

Has the veterinary nursing course in cork been recognised by the veterinary council of ireland yet?

pink27

Hi, I know you posted your comment on vet nursing in cork in 2008 but Im interested in doing the course. You think its any good? Is the course accredited in ireland? Are there many jobs in vet nursing at the mo? If you could reply asap thanks

lisajane

Hi pink27. I can't tell you much about the course in cork except i received an email from the veterinary council of ireland about the recognised courses in the country. And the course in cork is recognised by the veterinary council of ireland which means you'll be able to legally call yourself a veterinary nurse which is good enough for me.

I am thinking about doing the course in sept 2010. In that way it will give me a chance to save. I was onto the college looking for more information about the course and i was told i should have my application in by october/november.

boo23

Hey:), I have just finished my final exams for Vet Nursing in St John's College Cork. It is fully accredited with the Veterinary Council of Ireland. On passing the final exams I will be a RVN (Registered Veterinary Nurse) and will sign the register and take the oath and all that! It's a great course, but very intensive in the second year, as we do the full course in 2 years unlike up the country where it's done in 3 years. If you're a hard worker you will have no prob with deadlines and it's a very enjoyable course. It's quite hard to get into now that it's recognised by VCI and I'd imagine most applications are in since the start of the year as interviews were going on at Easter. Downlaod app form on the site and send it away soon
Best of luck:)

Lia_lia

About the one in UCD...

One of my best friends is doing it. She just finished second year this year. Herself and one other girl are the only 2 that are NOT mature students. All the rest are people who have been working at vets/animal shelters etc all their lives and want a qualification etc. My friend has had many years experience with horses so that probably had something to do with how she got in. But it is suppose to be difficult for leaving cert students.

Anyway, she loves the course! She's down here working in a vets some of the time and then up in Dublin for the rest of the time. It is a bit tough, plus you must pay for it (free fees thingy not included in this course). But it's suppose to be the best vet nurse course in the country. Don't take my word for it though, not me dong it. She loves it though!

eflood

Dr_Darkness wrote: »

Sorry to hijack this thread but does anyone know if the Animal Care Diploma in Bray Institute of Further Education any good? My friend was thinking of studying this course and using it as a stepping stone to one of the University courses in Veterinary Nursing

I have just finished this course, it is quite good, you do dog grooming and dog training, animal welfare, etc, It can be used as a stepping stone to the vet nursing course in UCD.