Programme summary

Career opportunities

Courses & timetables

Admission requirements

[DipVetN]

6, 240 2.0
Full-time for two years, or part-time for three years
Starts February
70 places for the first year
by 1 October
CA2343
Mt Albert campus

NZ$ 5064

International fees

---

Programme summary

Gain a sound knowledge of specialist veterinary nursing. Put theory into practice through the Veterinary Specialist Group and the best practice approved Unitec Veterinary Hospital.

Veterinary nursing is a growing profession. The introduction of increasingly sophisticated courses for veterinary nurses has raised their level of education, leading to greater responsibilities in the workplace. To develop the skills to work as a responsible and knowledgeable member of a veterinary team, this is the programme to choose. You’ll gain knowledge of advanced veterinary and intensive care nursing, and develop practical skills and an understanding of their ethical and welfare implications. Find out how to educate your clients on animal health issues, learn about preventative health clinics, and explore how to manage and promote a veterinary clinic.

Highlights

• Enables you to become a full member of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association.
• A significant amount of clinical practice at:
  • The Unitec Veterinary Hospital
  • The Veterinary Specialist Group Hospital at Unitec’s Mt Albert campus
  • An external veterinary clinic of your choice
  • The New Zealand Conservation Medicine Centre at Auckland Zoo (limited places)
  • A bird rescue/wildlife centre.
• Lecturers who are experts in veterinary science, animal health and welfare, microbiology, genetics and animal behaviour, and continue to work closely with industry.
• Ideally suited for people who have either the entry qualifications for this programme or Unitec’s Certificate in Animal Management (Animal Clinical Care).
• Cross-credits towards the Bachelor of Applied Science (Animal Management and Welfare).

The diploma extends the role of the veterinary nurse to include unsupervised and supervised work in a range of veterinary clinics, and covers the following subjects:

• Animal management including behaviour, nutrition and breeding
• Clinic management and client education
• Disease management
• Laboratory diagnostic practice
• Pharmacology
• Specialist and intensive care nursing
• Veterinary diagnostic imaging.

Before you apply

To make sure you’re familiar with the profession, you need to spend at least two days in a veterinary clinic of your choice before you apply for this programme. Please provide a letter from the vet practice confirming your attendance at their clinic with your application.