Associate Degree of Veterinary Nursing
Sorry, this course is not available for international students.
If you are a local student you may be eligible.
To find a course that's available to international students, please visit the search page:
Overview
2 years full time / 4 years part time
February
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. |
Attend an Information Session
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.
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.
Scholarships on offer
'We’d been discussing what projects we had coming up that we needed to go and buy materials for. And so then the scholarship came and it was just a sigh of relief.'
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
News from around Melbourne Polytechnic
12 ways to manage stress
Stress is a normal, natural physical and mental response but sometimes it can get the better of us - here's 12 ways to chill out and regroup.
Read more here
What makes a great teacher?
As far as career choices go, those that offer the most satisfaction are ones that assist the greater good of the community. Teaching is sitting right at the top of that list.
Read more here
Working out the life balance
All work and no play makes us absolute dullards, but too much play can make us ineffective and unfocused, so how do we achieve this magical balance?
Read more here
Turn your business idea into a success
Congrats budding entrepreneur, you have a brilliant idea - now what? Find out how to turn your idea into a successful business
Read more hereRelated 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).
Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.