Veterinary Nursing (Top-Up)

This Level 6 top-up programme will enable existing RVNs to advance their knowledge and skills to enable progression to more specialised and senior roles. The flexible degree will further enable RVNs to be fully utilised within their role and deepen understanding of evidence-based practice and advanced clinical skills.

You will:

• Gain a relevant degree that demonstrates your commitment to professional development and sets you apart in the industry

• Have the opportunity to complete an independent research project related to the veterinary profession, enhancing critical thinking and research skills

• Engage in live discussion with staff and peers, alongside specialist guest lecturers from within the industry

• Develop your professional responsibilities both in the local and wider community

• Have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study

Key course features

• During this course, you will build expertise in client communication, clinical decision-making, and specialised consultations to improve patient outcomes

• You will gain a deeper understanding of leadership and management strategies to take on senior roles and drive change in veterinary practice

• Interdisciplinary approach with the human nursing department, allowing you to gain valuable insights from human healthcare professionals

• Delivered online to enable flexible learning

• Use of our VLE facilities will enable 24/7 access to lectures, study material, seminars and discussion forums

Veterinary Nursing in a Changing World: In this module, you will explore the dynamic future of veterinary nursing and your role in shaping the profession. You will examine the One Health approach and the critical part veterinary nurses play in this area. As legislation and professional responsibilities evolve, you will assess the future of Schedule 3 and how advancements in technology are transforming patient care.
Sustainability is at the forefront of modern veterinary practice, therefore you will consider how to implement environmentally responsible practices within your role. You will also explore the impact of legislative changes and how they influence professional standards and practice.
With career progression in mind, this module will help you identify new opportunities. Whether you aspire to advance clinically, move into academia, or influence industry change, this module will equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the future of veterinary nursing.
Contemporary Leadership and Mentoring in Veterinary Nursing : With an increasing number of new roles emerging in veterinary nursing, this module will help you build transferable skills that allow for career progression and greater professional impact.
This module will also expand on mentoring and clinical coaching skills, equipping you to support and develop the next generation of veterinary nurses. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential in practice, and you will learn how to effectively guide teams, navigate conflict resolution, and foster a positive working environment. Self-reflection is key to professional growth, and you will assess your own abilities to identify areas for development. You will also explore the importance of quality improvement and clinical auditing, ensuring best practices are maintained within your team.
Specialised veterinary nursing consults: This module will equip you with the skills to lead specialised veterinary nursing consults, enhancing both patient care and practice efficiency in first opinion and specialised hospital settings. You will develop advanced communication and consulting skills, ensuring you can effectively support clients while delivering expert advice on a range of nursing-led services.
A key focus will be on chronic pain management, palliative care, and end-of-life support, enabling you to provide compassionate, tailored care. You will explore advanced medical nursing clinics, understanding their role in disease management and preventative healthcare.
Beyond clinical expertise, this module highlights the value of nurse-led clinics in improving patient welfare, increasing client engagement, and generating revenue for the practice. You will consider the principles of contextualised care, ensuring that treatment plans align with individual patient needs and owner circumstances.
Research Skills and Professional Development: Within this module, you will be equipped with the necessary skills to critically evaluate research design, to select and justify appropriate methods for data collection and analysis, and to reflect on personal and professional development over the duration of your programme of study.
Research Project: This module will guide you through the completion of a research-based study of a specialised area related to Veterinary Nursing. You will critically evaluate research related to your chosen topic, devise appropriate methods of data collection, collect and analyse data. You will write up your findings in the form of a research paper.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.