BSc in Veterinary Nursing
Four great reasons to consider this course
- Small class group sizes ensure as much “hands on” practical skills training as possible.
- Feedback from veterinary employers consistently identifies DkIT veterinary nursing graduates as highly employable and “workplace ready”.
- 100% of graduates in employment after 6 months of graduating.
- 100% of graduates say that the degree is very relevant or relevant for their career.
Course Summary
This three-year, Level 7 degree course in veterinary nursing equips students with the professional knowledge and practical skills needed to work as a registered veterinary nurse (RVN) in Irish and European veterinary practices.
Graduates will acquire knowledge of and skills of a wide range of topics. These include, but are not limited to, anatomy and physiology of domestic animals, fluid therapy, medical and surgical nursing care, laboratory testing, veterinary diagnostics and therapeutics, office management and client communication.
This course is accredited by the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI), enabling graduates to register with them and practice veterinary nursing in Ireland. It is also accredited by ACOVENE (Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nurse Education) which means that the qualification is recognised in all EU member states. In addition, the course is currently recognised by the Veterinary Nursing Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), thereby allowing graduates to practice veterinary nursing in the UK and Northern Ireland.
All relevant practical competencies will be covered in relation to dogs, cats, horses, farm animals and exotic species. Students spend a residential week in Teagasc Ballyhaise, Cavan, in the spring of first year to gain practical experience with farm animals. Horse handling classes take place at a local equestrian centre before Christmas in 2nd year.
Please see 'Other Information' section below for Frequently Asked Questions about this course.
Year 1
Semester 1
- Anatomy and Physiology 1
- Cellular Biology (including biochemistry)
- Introduction to Veterinary Nursing
- Mathematics and Computer Applications (year-long module)
- Work Placement 1 (4 weeks before Christmas)
Semester 2
- Anatomy and Physiology 2
- Microbiology
- Animal Husbandry (including 1 residential week of farm experience at Ballyhaise, typically in early March)
- Client Care and Relationship Marketing
- Mathematics and Computer Applications (year-long)
- Work Placement 1 (4 weeks after January exam session)
Year 2
Semester 1
- Clinical Pathology
- Small Animal Medical Nursing
- Veterinary Nursing for Exotic Species
- Parasitology
- Office Practice and Team-working (horse handling classes take place for the last week of this semester).
Semester 2
- Applied Writing and Research Skills
- Pharmacology / Large Animal Medical Nursing
- Animal Welfare & Husbandry
- Work Placement 2 (8 weeks over March-April)
Year 3
Semester 1
- Anaesthesia and Analgesia
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Pharmacy, Law and Ethics
- Surgical Nursing 1
- Personal Effectiveness & Team Support (including 1st year mentoring)
Semester 2
- Animal Reproduction
- Surgical Nursing 2
- Small Animal Clinical Nutrition
- Equine Nursing
- Veterinary Nursing OSCE (final practical skills assessment, held in late May/early June)
- Veterinary Nursing Internship (12 weeks over the summer)
* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only.
Veterinary Nursing is a very ‘hands on’ career, which is why this course involves a lot of practical work, as well as lectures and tutorials. Practical classes cover a wide range of topics: basic anatomy and dissection of body tissues, blood and urine testing, parasite identification, animal restraint and handling, fluid therapy, drug calculations, surgical assistance, anaesthesia, bandaging and wound care, and the taking of x-rays are all included for example.
Assessments are a mixture of written exams and course work, such as practical exams, group assignments, quizzes, poster presentations and online assignments.
The course is intensive in nature, due to both the wide range of skills needed by a veterinary nurse and the time spent on work placements.
Graduates from this course will mainly find employment in large animal, companion animal, equine and mixed veterinary clinics and hospitals. Opportunities also exist in animal welfare facilities, veterinary product businesses and the wider animal care industries.
Some examples of the diverse range of roles beyond veterinary practice occupied by graduates of this course include pet insurance, clinical nutrition, farm advisory services, horse racing regulation, Bord Bia auditor and Local Authority animal welfare officer.
On completion of this course, graduates can immediately register and work as a Veterinary Nurse or decide to progress on to the BSc (Hons) in Advanced Veterinary Nursing at DkIT. This Level 8 award is offered on a full-time (one year) or part-time (two year) basis, with classes condensed into 1-2.5 days per week on campus.
Graduates also have the option to study some of the Level 8 modules on an individual basis. including:
Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
→ INCLUDING a minimum H5 Grade in Biology or Agricultural Science
→ AND Mathematics Grade F2, O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7
Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:
Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 5 different subjects which must include:
→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C or better)
→ Minimum Grade C in A Level Biology or Agricultural Science
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C or better)
→ One subject at:
- 'A Level’ (Grade A* - E or better)
- OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - E)
- OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
- OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
→ The remaining subjects must be different from those listed above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:
- GCSE (Grade A* - C)
- AND/OR 'AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
- AND/OR ‘A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
- AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
- AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
- AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
Additional Information:
There are 30 places on the course. 20 Leaving Certificate, 4 QQI Animal Care Level 5 and 6 mature applications. All applications should be made via the CAO by February 1st annually.
Please note, all Veterinary Nursing students are subject to the DkIT Fitness to Practice Policy and Procedures.
Students are required to complete a work placement in a registered veterinary clinic or hospital (as listed in the Veterinary Council of Ireland Premises Accreditation Scheme) in each year of the course.
The work placement lasts for eight
weeks in 1st year (4 weeks either side of the Christmas break and semester 1 examination session), 8 weeks in the springtime in 2nd year and a 12-week internship over the summer at the end of 3rd year. Two weeks of the third year internship may be an elective in a premises or industry of the student’s choosing e.g. a veterinary laboratory, physiotherapy service or animal charity.
The course lecturers and work placement office will assist in organising this, but students are responsible for making transport and accommodation arrangements etc. where necessary.
This course is best suited to students who:
- Have a love for animals is obvious, but this course is also suitable for students who enjoy working with people – all animals have an owner or carer that you need to communicate with, and optimal nursing care is delivered by a veterinary team.
- Have an interest in science, as the aim of nursing care is to restore the animal’s body systems to normal.
- Have good writing and maths skills - Veterinary nurses need these skills to be able to provide and record safe and effective patient care.
The course covers all the common veterinary species, but the more practical animal handling experience you have, the easier you will find it. Veterinary nursing is a job that requires you to spend a lot of time on your feet and animal handling can be strenuous – being reasonably fit and physically active will help you with this aspect of the job.
Dr Siobhan Jordan (Acting Head of Department of Agriculture, Food and Animal Health)
Email: Siobhan.Jordan@dkit.ie
Karen Dunne (Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing, Department of Applied Sciences)
Phone: +353 429370200
Email: karen.dunne@dkit.ie
Doireann Dowling (Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing)
Phone: +353 429370200
Email: doireann.dowling@dkit.ie
Frequently Asked Questions
View the latest Frequently Asked Questions about the BSc in Veterinary Nursing.
| Course ID | DK784 |
| CAO Round 1 Entry Points (2022) | 434 Points |
| Course Type | Undergraduate |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Level | 7 |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Starting Date | September 2023 |
| School | School of Health & Science |
| Department | Agriculture, Food and Animal Health |
| Awarding Body | Dundalk Institute of Technology |
| Download | FAQ — BSc in Veterinary Nursing |
| Delivery Method | On Campus |
How To Apply
Apply on CAO
All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:
Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications
Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry onto their chosen course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.
