Otago Polytechnic
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Veterinary Nursing

School of Veterinary Nursing

Why study with us?

Experience the very best in education at our School of Veterinary Nursing, a vibrant and innovative leader in this field with a rich history of more than 25 years.

Enjoy the benefits of studying through New Zealand’s largest provider of allied veterinary professional training, with 400 students here and overseas.

Learn from our 20 highly-qualified and expert staff, most of whom have between 10 and 20 years’ clinical experience in veterinary practice.

Achieve in a student-centred environment – everything we do is designed with your success in mind to help you become a work-ready professional practitioner. 

Our programmes

You can study with us to become an animal carer, rural animal technician, veterinary nurse assistant or veterinary nurse. 

Choose from our world-class, future-focused and flexible programmes that we believe are the best available, and that will prepare you for work or further study here and overseas.

There are plenty of ways to customise your study, with full- and part-time options in all of our programmes and mid-year intake options in some. And we are experienced and skilled providers of distance learning options. 

Our industry links

You’ll gain invaluable work experience through industry placements. We have excellent relationships with practices around the country and we will offer guidance to help you find the right placement for you. 

Our facilities, resources and support

You’ll receive exceptional learning support at every stage of your learning journey regardless of whether you study on campus or by distance. We are here to help you succeed!

As a Dunedin-based learner, you’ll train within our consulting room, prep room, surgical theatre and hospital facilities as well as in the classroom and on the sites of industry partners. And, from 2018, you'll be able to gain hands-on experience with sick and injured wildlife at The Wildlife Hospital.

If you’re a distance learner, you'll have access to plenty of modern equipment on your block courses to help you develop your practical skills and you are able to book a week's work placement in Dunedin at the wildlife hospital if you are interested in wildlife nursing. 

Our staff

We have 11 lecturers based in Dunedin; six in Christchurch; two in the Wairarapa; and one in Palmerston North. All are highly-accredited and experienced experts in their fields who complete continuing education each year.

Six of our teachers are published authors in the veterinary field with over 25 publications combined. One is a consultant editor for the peer reviewed UK Veterinary Nurse journal and a contributing editor for Vetstream Lapis. And four staff represent the industry at a national level.

We are proud to be the first educational institution in the world to gain Silver Certification in Low Stress Handling.