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 the 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.
Domestic
About the programme
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 with some face-to-face teaching.
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer this part-time over two years.
International
About the programme
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 with some face-to-face teaching.
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer this part-time over two years.
What You Study
Courses
|
Course name |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
Advanced Medical Nursing |
15 |
|
Advanced Anaesthesia and Surgery Learn how to monitor and manage complex patients receiving general anaesthesia and to provide assistance in advanced surgical procedures. |
15 |
|
Applied Animal Welfare, Behaviour and Training Develop the skills and knowledge required for critical evaluation of animal welfare, behaviour and training in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. |
15 |
|
Reflective Practice and Inquiry for Veterinary Nursing A Discover how to plan work and to analyse and apply research in a veterinary nursing practice. |
15 |
|
Wildlife and Conservation Develop skills and knowledge related to wildlife care, management and conservation. |
15 |
|
Emergency Care and Response Learn how to manage response teams and patients during natural disasters and clinical emergencies within the veterinary clinic and the community. |
15 |
|
Animal Rehabilitation Discover how to contribute to the planning of patient rehabilitation and to monitor patient progress throughout rehabilitation. |
15 |
|
Reflective Practice and Inquiry for Veterinary Nursing B Develop the skills and knowledge required to critically analyse research to inform evidence-based veterinary nursing practice. |
15 |
What will I learn to do?
At the end of this programme, you 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.
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
Work experience
You'll need to complete 160 hours of work experience during the third year of this degree.
- 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.
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.
Workload
Your 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
Please note: International students will need to attend weekly tutorials at the EIT campus in Hawke's Bay.
Entry
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
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Application
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, check this application pack.
- To apply, click the blue APPLY button above. You will be directed to the EIT website where you can choose to apply as a domestic student or an international student.
