Veterinary Nursing

The FdSc Veterinary Nursing (3‑year full‑time) programme is designed for students who want to train as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) while gaining extensive hands‑on clinical experience alongside academic study. This RCVS‑mapped foundation degree provides a structured, supportive route into the veterinary profession, combining theoretical teaching, practical skills training, and supervised clinical placements.

The course is delivered over three years, with clinical placements integrated throughout the programme rather than a single full placement year. This allows you to progressively develop and apply your skills in practice while continuing your academic studies. You will complete RCVS‑required clinical competencies and Skills Log (Nursing Progress Log) across dedicated placement periods, ensuring you are well prepared for professional practice on graduation.

At Plumpton College, you will study a comprehensive curriculum covering veterinary anatomy and physiology, animal health and welfare, clinical veterinary nursing skills, theatre practice, diagnostics, anaesthesia and analgesia, and professional development. Teaching is closely aligned with RCVS Day One Skills and Competencies for Veterinary Nurses, enabling successful graduates to be eligible to join the RCVS Register as a Veterinary Nurse, subject to full accreditation.

You will benefit from access to Plumpton’s state‑of‑the‑art Veterinary Studies Centre, including a purpose‑built Veterinary Nursing Clinical Training Suite, as well as the Animal Education Centre, home to over 200 animal species, including exotic animals. Students gain experience working with a range of small animals and exotics, enhancing clinical confidence and employability.

Plumpton College has been delivering veterinary nursing degrees since 2009, with a strong reputation for graduate success. The programme is quality assured by the University of Greenwich and developed to meet the needs of the modern veterinary sector, supporting students to become confident, professional, and work‑ready veterinary nurses.

What you'll study - Course Modules

The FdSc Veterinary Nursing is delivered over three years full‑time, combining academic study with integrated clinical placements to support progressive skills development. All core modules are mapped to the RCVS Day One Skills and Competencies for Veterinary Nurses, ensuring graduates are well prepared for professional practice.

Year 1:

1. Applied Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
   Develop essential knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology to support safe, effective veterinary nursing care in line with RCVS clinical competencies.

2. Study and Research Skills
   Build academic, research, and professional skills required for evidence‑based veterinary nursing practice and lifelong learning.

3. Animal Health, Husbandry and Welfare
   Explore animal health, welfare legislation, biosecurity, and husbandry practices underpinning professional veterinary nursing care.

4. Clinical Veterinary Nursing Skills
   Develop core practical nursing skills, including patient care, restraint, monitoring, and infection control, mapped to RCVS Day One requirements.

5. Principles of Veterinary Nursing Practice
   Introduce professional standards, ethics, communication, and clinical responsibilities required of a student veterinary nurse.

6. Veterinary Theatre Practice
   Gain practical skills in surgical theatre procedures, aseptic technique, and perioperative nursing care aligned with RCVS competencies.

7. Clinical Placement 1
   Begin supervised clinical placement experience to support early development of practical skills and professional behaviours.

8. Year 2:

9. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
   Develop applied knowledge of anaesthetic techniques, analgesia, patient monitoring, and safety in veterinary practice.

10. Veterinary Diagnostics
    Study diagnostic techniques including imaging, laboratory procedures, and clinical pathology to support patient assessment and care.

11. Independent Enquiry
    Undertake a research project linked to veterinary nursing practice, developing critical thinking and evidence‑based decision‑making skills.

12. Clinical Placement 2
    Extended clinical placement enabling progression towards completion of the RCVS Nursing Progress Log and consolidation of practical skills.

13. Year 3:

14. Clinical Placement 2 (continued)
    Continue supervised clinical practice, culminating in final assessment and OSCEs required for professional competence.

15. Fundamental Aspects of Advanced Nursing Care
    Develop advanced nursing skills in areas such as emergency and critical care, inpatient management, and complex case support.

16. Professional Development and Business Skills
    Explore professional conduct, leadership, client communication, and business awareness relevant to modern veterinary practice.

17. Independent Enquiry
    Complete and submit your research project, demonstrating graduate‑level research, analysis, and professional insight.

Modules and delivery are indicative and may be subject to change.

Assessment on the FdSc Veterinary Nursing programme is designed to reflect the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Day One Skills and Competencies for Veterinary Nurses, ensuring graduates are prepared for safe and effective professional practice. A range of academic and practice‑based assessment methods are used across the programme, linked directly to veterinary nursing competencies and clinical standards.

Depending on the module studied, assessment methods may include written assignments, case studies, reflective accounts, practical skills assessments, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), presentations, written examinations, and an independent enquiry (research project). These approaches allow students to demonstrate theoretical understanding, professional judgement, and clinical competence.

Clinical competence is assessed throughout the programme via supervised clinical placements, during which students must complete the RCVS Nursing Progress Log (NPL). This ensures that essential practical skills are evidenced, assessed, and recorded in line with RCVS requirements. Clinical placements are supported by both academic staff and registered veterinary nurse Clinical Coaches.

All modules include formative (practice) assessment activities, which are not formally graded. These assessments support learning progression by helping students develop confidence, refine clinical skills, and prepare for summative assessment. Feedback is provided in line with University of Greenwich assessment principles and professional training standards.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Veterinary Surgeons, Royal College of