New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal)

Please Note: This programme replaces the old NZ Certificate in Animal Technology (NZCAT) and NZ Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (NZDVN).

The New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal Nursing) provides a platform for you to build the hands-on skills and knowledge you need to become a qualified veterinary nurse and help animals maintain the best possible health and quality of life in a clinical environment.

Through demonstrations, classes, practical sessions, group work, small group tutorials, and real-life case studies, you’ll learn how to care for animal patients and clients. There are plenty of opportunities to put theory into practice during your practicum placement.

You will graduate as a qualified veterinary nurse who is able to work effectively and efficiently in a clinical setting, and you’ll be eligible for voluntary registration with the Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council of New Zealand.

Highlights 

• Build advanced technical skills through a significant amount of clinical practice within our simulation clinic, and your clinical placements.
• Develop a thorough understanding of what’s considered best practice in a clinical environment, and the ethical and welfare implications of veterinary care 
• Learn from experienced lecturers who are knowledgeable in veterinary medicine/science, animal health and welfare, microbiology, genetics, and animal behaviour 
• Benefit from a varied learning approach that includes practical sessions, group work, online/small group tutorials, and one-on-one supervision 
• The opportunity to apply for a practical placement at the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine at Auckland Zoo (placements limited)

Onsite Learners 

You will attend classes onsite at our Mt Albert campus two to three days a week depending on your timetable. Your other two to three days will be spent in your practicum placement or self-directed study.

During your first year of study as an onsite student, we will arrange a clinical placement for you, and you will be expected to attend as rostered. You will need to have a reliable way of travelling to and from your clinical placement. This may be outside of your local suburbIn some cases, you may also need to spend time in other animal-related facilities, which you may need to arrange yourself.

In your second year, you will be responsible for arranging your own clinical placement.

Distance Learners

To study from a distance, you need to be self-motivated, committed and have excellent time management skills. You need to attend all block courses, exams, practical assessments, and work experience, as well as complete your self-directed study (research, reading, revision) and assessment writing. 

For this delivery you will be mainly studying online. In addition, you will have four compulsory block courses to attend at our Mt Albert campus each year.  You’ll also need to have consistent access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and appropriate office software i.e. Microsoft Office, which we will provide once you are enrolled.

In both Year 1 and Year 2, you will be responsible for arranging your own clinical placement and ensuring you have access to suitable transport to attend. We strongly recommend securing a placement before starting the programme, as this helps ensure an appropriate placement is available within your local area.

While many students are able to complete their placement close to home, some have chosen to travel to another region for a period of time in order to gain the required clinical experience. Planning ahead can help provide you with the greatest flexibility and choice of placement opportunities.