VNUR10280 Principles of Veterinary Nursing

Academic Year 2024/2025


This module is only available to students enrolled on the BSc (Veterinary Nursing). This module introduces important aspects of veterinary nursing for all species commonly seen in veterinary practice.
The focus of this module is the development of knowledge in relation to specific core clinical skills. Content will focus on basic aspects of veterinary nursing in meeting the needs of animals attending the veterinary practice, the basic principles and practice of asepsis; medication management and intravenous fluid administration.
There is an emphasis on team and individual work. This module complements the clinical placement module and consolidation of clinical experience is stressed.

Please check and be aware if this module is a prerequisite (Academic Regulation 3.27(a)) for any future modules.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Understand the application of the “Five Freedoms” to veterinary practice and animal care
• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of veterinary nursing, including the practice of asepsis.
• Recognise common hazards in veterinary practices
• Describe the principles of cleaning and disinfection of kennel and hospital environments
• Complete basic drug and fluid calculations.
• Demonstrate clinical skills in relation to aspects of patient care.
• Understand the nutritional requirements of the dog, cat and horse
• List the methods used when carrying out a clinical examination during triage of an emergency patient






Indicative Module Content:

This module covers a range of topics relevant to veterinary nursing practice:

* Animal welfare
* Infection control
* Specific hazards in veterinary practice
* Observation and assessment of patients
* Essential patient care
* Nutrition and feeding of dogs, cats and horses
* Medication calculations and administration
* Wound healing, bandaging and dressings
* Triage of the emergency patient

Practicals will cover the following:
The World Health Organisation technique for cleaning hands
Cleaning and disinfection of kennels and isolation areas in veterinary practice
Waste management
Use of animal simulation models to carry out injection techniques and blood sampling
Maintenance of an open upper airway as a first aid technique and stocking a Crash Cart
Manual handling course(Human) and a First Aid course (Human)

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

35
Tutorial

8
Practical

15
Specified Learning Activities

6
Autonomous Student Learning

136
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key teaching and learning approaches used in this module include lectures, tutorials, practicals and student class presentations. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students must be enrolled in the BSc (Veterinary Nursing) to take this module.

Learning Exclusions:

Students cannot be awarded credit for this module if they have already achieved similar educational outcomes in higher, further or secondary education. Students must be enrolled in the BSc (Veterinary Nursing) to take this module.

Learning Recommendations:

Students must be enrolled in the BSc (Veterinary Nursing) to take this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:
VNUR10300 - VN Clinical Placement S1

Additional Information:
Students must be enrolled in the BSc (Veterinary Nursing) to take this module.


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (Open Book): Multiple Choice Questionnaire: This will be in association with each of six practicals held over the Autumn and Spring Trimesters. Each MCQ is worth 5% of the final grade for this module. Week 4 Autumn, Week 6 Autumn, Week 7 Autumn, Week 8 Autumn, Week 10 Autumn, Week 5 Spring Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30

 No
Group Work Assignment: Student groups will each produce a poster based on a scientific literature review of any topic that has been covered in the course. Each student will also have an oral and do a reflection essay Week 6 Spring, Week 10 Spring Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30

 No
Exam (In-person): Forty question Multiple Choice Examination held at the end of the Spring Trimester. It covers all lectures, practicals and tutorials held during the two-trimester module period. End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

**Class feedback, post-assessment: This will be a summary of the types of questions and topics that students had difficulty with. **MCQs: Where requested, individual feedback will be provided on the pre-practical MCQs. This will be a summary of the types of questions and topics that the student had difficulty with. **Student Group Poster : Students will be provided with individual, oral feedback from examiners on their contribution to their group poster. Individual, written feedback on each reflective short essay will be provided to the student concerned.


BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (6th Edition)
Edited by: Barbara Cooper, Elizabeth Mullineaux and Lynn Turner
Paperback ISBN: 9781910443392

Name Role
Dr Sandra Aungier Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Vivian Gath Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Maurice Kinsella Tutor