Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (third year)

For the first time in the South Island, and in collaboration with the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), we are now offering the third year of this qualification online.

Otago Polytechnic Veterinary Nursing learners can now pathway through our Level 5 Certificate during year one, the Level 6 Diploma during year two and then move into this EIT qualification to complete their degree-level Veterinary Nursing study. 

During this degree, you will develop your skills in critical thinking so you can become an essential part of a veterinary team in a clinic or hospital. Graduates could seek employment in a variety of roles including as a Veterinary Nurse, Veterinary Nurse Educator, Animal Care Educator or across specialist clinic roles.

Please note: You will apply for this degree with EIT and be enrolled as an EIT learner but will study online and attend block courses in Dunedin. 

Career opportunities 

• Veterinary Nurse
• Veterinary Nurse Educator
• Animal Care Educator
• DOC roles
• MPI roles
• Humane Society roles
• Commercial representative
• Medical representative
• Specialist clinic roles
• Veterinary Nursing or Animal Care Researcher 

What will I learn to do? 

Graduates of this degree will:

• place animal welfare at the forefront of every veterinary nursing task and procedure performed while also considering human and environmental factors;
• integrate extensive knowledge and understanding of the professional, cultural, ethical and moral responsibilities of a veterinary nurse;
• confidently apply advanced theoretical knowledge and skills in veterinary medical nursing, anaesthesia and surgical assistance in practice;
• think and reflect critically to continuously improve animal well-being, their own practice and the industry as a whole;
• proactively engage in continuous learning and undertake research to support evidence-based practice, solving complex problems in relation to patient care and health;
• advise clients on the management of individual animal care based on contemporary evidence; and
• recognise the need for and lead the development of strategies to deal with emotionally and otherwise stressful situations.

Entry requirements

• New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6)
• If you hold the National Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, EIT will assess this on a case-by-case basis. 

All applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme. For international students, ways in which English language fluency may be demonstrated include the following: 

• successful study of a programme in which English was the language of instruction (subject to the conditions in EIT's Database for English Language Proficiency (DELP))
• completion of a New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 3) - with any endorsement 
• IELTS Academic score of 6, with no band score lower than 5.5, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment 
• accepted international equivalents to the above IELTs scores, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment (see equivalency tables in the DELP). 

Please note: International students will need to attend weekly tutorials at the EIT campus in Hawke’s Bay 

Pathway into third year of degree

1. New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) (Veterinary Nursing Assistant)

• One year full-time/two years part-time
• Dunedin or online with block courses in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland

2. New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6)

• One year full-time/two years part-time
• Dunedin or online with block courses in Dunedin or Christchurch 

3. Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (third year) in collaboration with EIT

• One year full-time/two years part-time
• Online with block courses in Dunedin
• International students will need to attend weekly tutorials at the EIT campus in Hawke’s Bay 

Workload 

Your study time will be made up of contact time (online learning directed by tutors, tutorials and industry-based learning) and non-contact time (individual study time and self-directed online learning).

Contact time

• Tutorials are timetabled between 8.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday
• 160 work experience hours

Non-contact time

• You should plan to spend 10 hours of study per course per week including scheduled classroom time

Work experience

• 160 hours during Year Three
• You will complete your work experience in at least two different veterinary practices – unless you are currently employed at a veterinary clinic.
• You will need to find your own work placements (with assistance from programme staff where needed).
• Recommended that work placements are in two or three week blocks.
• While on work experience, you must maintain a portfolio with evidence of completion of practical assessments and clinical skills; you will be in contact with your Programme Coordinator on a regular basis, to discuss progress on the workplace requirements.
• A memorandum of agreement will be drawn up between the work placement facility, the student and EIT, to define rights and responsibilities of each party involved in the work placements.    

Year Three courses

Assessments 

These consist of practical workbook completion for on-campus block courses, completion of work experience portfolio, assignments, tests, exams and observations, depending on nature of the course. 

How to apply

• You will apply for the EIT Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing third year via the EIT website and be enrolled as an EIT learner. You will study online. 
• For more information about this application and enrolment process, view page 8 of the EIT programme information document. 
• To apply, click the light blue APPLY tab in the top right-hand corner of this webpage. You will be directed to the EIT website where you can choose to apply as a domestic student or an international student.   

Student loans and allowances

StudyLink is a service of the Ministry of Social Development. Apply well before your programme begins (even if you haven’t been accepted yet) so you’ll be ready to get your payments when you need them most. Check out studylink.govt.nz or phone 0800 88 99 00. A student allowance is a weekly payment to help you with living expenses. It doesn’t have to be paid back. A student loan is made up of three parts – compulsory fees, course-related costs and living costs. You have to pay these back.