New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) (Veterinary Nursing Assistant)
This programme is the first step towards becoming a qualified veterinary nurse, and leads into the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. You'll learn how to work alongside veterinarians and veterinary nurses in a clinical environment and enjoy industry-based experience as a major part of this programme. Keen for a one-year course of study? Check out our New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting.
Domestic
Flexible facilitated
Online with block courses
About this programme
Love animals and care about their welfare? Prepare for a career as a Veterinary Nurse.
Become a Veterinary Nursing Assistant educated to the highest professional standards with this practical and theoretical programme.
The animal health industry is vital to the success of New Zealand’s economy and there is always strong demand for qualified Veterinary Nursing Assistants to assist Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses.
This programme will give you the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in companion animal healthcare. It will enable you to work alongside veterinarians and veterinary nurses in a clinical environment as a veterinary nursing assistant and will fulfil education requirements for you to become a listed veterinary nursing assistant (LVNA).
In addition, it will prepare you for entry into the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) where you will gain the skills to become a fully qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
Aligned with international standards, this programme has been developed in consultation with veterinarians, veterinary nurses, the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association and our own experienced staff. All of our staff are required to undertake compulsory industry immersion to ensure they can deliver up-to-date, detailed theoretical knowledge of companion animal healthcare and practical skills, including low stress handling techniques.
Don't want to do the two-year diploma pathway?
Check out our one-year, New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4).
How you'll learn
This programme is delivered through what we call a ‘flexible facilitated’ format, which is a combination of online and in-person teaching, combined with a work placement.
You’ll attend regular weekly classes in Dunedin or learn online and attend blocks of classes in the best location near you (locations vary depending on the programme).
This flexible approach means you will enjoy a varied course of learning and be supported by our staff both remotely and in person.
Veterinary Nursing diploma pathway from 2025
From 2025, we will have a new Veterinary Nursing diploma pathway in place. This will be a two-year programme, rather than a one-year New Zealand Certificate, followed by a one-year New Zealand Diploma. Find out more >
International
Distance
Blended learning
Love animals and care about their welfare? Prepare for a career as a Veterinary Nurse.
Become a Veterinary Nursing Assistant educated to the highest professional standards with this practical and theoretical programme.
The animal health industry is vital to the success of New Zealand’s economy and there is always strong demand for qualified Veterinary Nursing Assistants to assist Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses.
This programme will give you the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in companion animal healthcare. It will enable you to work alongside veterinarians and veterinary nurses in a clinical environment as a veterinary nursing assistant and will fulfil education requirements for you to become a listed veterinary nursing assistant (LVNA).
In addition, it will prepare you for entry into the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) where you will gain the skills to become a fully qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
Aligned with international standards, it has been developed in consultation with veterinarians, veterinary nurses, the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association and our own experienced staff. All of our staff are required to undertake compulsory industry immersion to ensure they can deliver up-to-date, detailed theoretical knowledge of companion animal healthcare and practical skills, including low stress handling techniques.
Don't want to do the two-year diploma pathway?
Then we'd recommend you instead apply for our one-year, New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4).
Veterinary Nursing diploma pathway from 2024
From 2024, we will have a new Veterinary Nursing diploma pathway in place. This will be a two-year programme, rather than a one-year New Zealand Certificate, followed by a one-year New Zealand Diploma. Find out more >
What You Study
Courses
All eight, 15-credit courses must be completed to gain the qualification.
| Course name | Credits |
| Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Assistant | 15 |
| Companion Animal Husbandry and Welfare | 15 |
| Operate Within The Animal Health and Veterinary Services Interface | 15 |
| Routine Diagnostics and Imaging* | 15 |
| Essentials of In-patient Care* | 15 |
| Routine Surgery and Anaesthesia* | 15 |
| Veterinary Nursing Assistant Practicum Part 1 | 15 |
| Veterinary Nursing Assistant Practicum Part 2* | 15 |
* Courses completed during Year 2, part-time distance.
How you study
On campus, full-time blended delivery option
For this programme, you'll need to:
- commit to approximately 35-40 hours per week including work placements
- attend facilitated sessions on-campus every Monday and Tuesday morning as and when required for tutorial sessions and one-on-one meetings with your Learning Advisor.
- undertake directed and self-directed study at home
- organise all animal related facility and companion animal veterinary clinic work placements
- complete a minimum of 240 hours of which a minimum of 40 hours must be in animal related facilities (such as kennels, catteries, SPCA) and a minimum of 200 hours in companion animal veterinary clinics
- complete and pass your first course, Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Assistant, before you can start work placements.
Distance options: full-time (one year) and two years (part-time)
We're a leader in the provision of online education. You'll learn via online facilitated teaching sessions and discussion forums, as well as having access to online course resources and activities (written, audio and video).
Help is always on hand through our extensive support systems which include:
- One-on-one tutor support
- IT support.
Distance, full-time one year option
For this programme, you'll need to:
- commit to approximately 35-40 hours per week including work placements
- undertake online directed and self-directed study at home and attend weekly online classroom sessions
- attend induction and orientation online in the first week of the programme
- attend two, compulsory four-day block courses, at one of the venues offered (this is usually Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland - each venue is dependent on numbers - please enquire with the School for more information).
- organise all animal-related facility and companion animal veterinary clinic work placements
- to complete a minimum of 240 hours of work placement of which a minimum of 40 hours must be in animal related facilities (such as kennels, catteries, SPCA) and a minimum of 200 hours in companion animal veterinary clinics (2)
- complete and pass your first course, Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Assistant, before you can start work placements.
Distance, part-time over two years option
For this programme, over both years, you'll need to:
- commit to approximately 15-20 hours per week including work placements
- undertake online directed and self-directed study at home and attend fortnightly online classroom sessions
- attend induction and orientation online in the first week of the programme to meet other students, learn how to navigate
- attend two, compulsory two-day block courses in (approximately) May and September at one of the venues offered (this is usually Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland - each venue is dependent on numbers - please enquire with the School for more information).
- organise all animal-related facility and companion animal veterinary clinic work placements
- complete a minimum of 120 hours of which a minimum of 40 hours must be in animal related facilities (such as kennels, catteries, SPCA) and a minimum of 80 hours in companion animal veterinary clinics
- complete and pass your first course, Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Assistant, before you can start work placements.
Your work placements
Both blended on-campus (full-time) and distance learning options (full-time and part-time) require you to undertake industry-based work placements. All work placements must be organised and managed by you. Due to the limited number of veterinary clinics in Dunedin, all Dunedin-based students will likely need to organise some work placement outside of Dunedin, therefore you must be prepared to travel to complete this requirement if necessary.
You are required to undertake at least 240 hours of work placement - at least 40 hours in animal-related facilities (such as boarding kennels, catteries or your local SPCA) and a minimum of 200 hours in companion animal veterinary clinics while you study.
When approaching veterinary clinics to source veterinary clinic work placements, you will be asked for evidence of completion of the Health and Safety Course (access to this course is provided once you have been offered a place in the programme) and also a copy of your current Criminal Convictions History report.
This report can be obtained free from the Ministry of Justice website.
Workload
Your workload
All study is highly structured, guided and self-directed and you will need to have good time management skills.
If you are a full-time student, you should typically aim for around 30-35 hours of study per week.
As a part-time student, you should typically aim for around 15-20 hours of study per week.
Both options require engagement with on-line resources such as, activities, assessments and compulsory work placements (240 hours minimum), undertaken by directed and self-directed study at home.
Health & safety
You will be given full training to minimise all programme-specific risks. Examples of risks associated with this programme are: lifting, animal bites and scratches, zoonotic diseases, computers, radiation from x-rays, anaesthetic gases, chemicals and drugs, UV radiation, sharp instruments, electricity, fire, gas cylinders and mercury thermometers.
We recommend that all students maintain a current up-to-date tetanus injection to handle any animals as part of this programme.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic entry requirements
- 60 credits at NCEA Level 2, with a minimum of:
- 12 credits in English at Level 2, and
- 12 credits in Maths at Level 1, and
- 12 credits in Science at Level 1
- OR equivalent
- OR New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals) (Level 3) or the National Certificate in Animal Care (Level 2), or equivalent
- OR evidence of meeting Step 5 Literacy and Numeracy for Adults, Assessment Tool.
- For those 20 and over, you'll have an interview to figure out the best pathway for you to maximise your success.
Other requirements
All applicants must complete a health declaration and declaration of any criminal conviction to ensure fitness to practice prior to acceptance into the programme. (Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the delegated authority.)
To undertake the compulsory practical components of this programme you are also required to provide:
1. Evidence of a companion animal veterinary clinic to support your work placement requirements will be needed prior to commencing the practical components of the programme. It is recommended this is arranged as soon as practical.**
a. For students based in the Otago region, please contact vetnursing@op.ac.nz for advice prior to contacting any work placements in this region.
b. If you are seeking placement, outside Otago, please use the documents provided on the web link, after you have been accepted, to arrange this placement **
Please note: Whilst you don't need to provide us with evidence of your Covid-19 vaccination status to study this programme, please be aware that some placement providers may ask you for this.
If you are struggling with this requirement, please email vetnursing@op.ac.nz so we can have a chat with you.
English Language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years)
- Writing band 6.0
- Speaking band 6.0
- Reading band 5.5
- Listening band 5.5, OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area (5-7 years), you could gain this qualification through our Assessment of Prior Learning Pathway (APL). This option enables you to study part-time online, to evaluate your veterinary nursing career and to present a portfolio of evidence to show how you meet the requirements of the qualification.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
- Compulsory textbook: $300 (approx.)
- Compulsory shirt: $50 (approx.)
- Compulsory name badge: $15 (pin-back) or $18.50 (magnetic)
- Scrub top: $45
- Stethoscope: $21
- Closed-in shoes: $100 (approx.) health and safety requirement
- Photocopy and printing costs for personal work
- Full time, blended, on-campus students: Travel, accommodation and food costs associated with attendance at work placements, face to face facilitated sessions (one and a half days per week)
- Distance students: Travel, accommodation and food costs associated with attendance at work placements, with block courses (for both distance full-time and part-time options)
- You will also need access to a mobile device to take videos for assessments such as a cell phone.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students.
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 for domestic learners
If this is your first time doing tertiary study, or your first tertiary study was covered by the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship (TTAF) initiative, you may be able to get up to $12,000 of your fees covered for one year’s study or two years’ training.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access Fees Free by entering your National Student Number.
If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.
Application
Completing your application
You can enter information and upload documents directly into the application form. You may wish to prepare some of the required documentation beforehand.
To begin your application, click the 'Apply' button at the top of this page.
You will need to provide:
- Academic entry requirements
- Referee report - click here to download the report to give to your chosen referee
- A Criminal Convictions History Report that's less than six months old - visit the Ministry of Justice website to apply for yours.
- Certified copies of proof of identity and proof of residency (where appropriate).
Once your application has been received, if successful, you will be sent a Conditional Offer into the programme.
In this offer there will be a link provided to the Health and Safety Course and templates to enable you to provide evidence of your three-day observation and work placement.
We are part of Te Pūkenga
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.
