CAO Code AU271

Letterkenny Campus

Bachelor of Science (Ord)

Veterinary Nursing

3 years / Level 7 / Full-time / Work Placement

Is this course for me?

Our Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing is a three-year course that will prepare you for a career in the veterinary field. You’ll be qualified to work closely with veterinary surgeons in diagnosing and treating animals suffering from a range of medical issues.

Certain semesters of this course are taken in common with other courses.

Year One

SEMESTER	MODULES	MANDATORY/ELECTIVE	CREDITS	CONTACT HOURS
1	Introduction to Nursing	Mandatory	5	8
	Communications and Research Skills	Mandatory	5	6
	Animal Husbandry, Nutrition & Welfare	Mandatory	10	7
	Work Placement 1 - Practical/Theory	Mandatory	10	30
2	Biological and Bioveterinary Science	Mandatory	5	6
	Surgical Nursing and Theatre Practice	Mandatory	5	6
	Veterinary Nursing 1	Mandatory	10	10
	Work Placement 2 - Practical/Theory	Mandatory	10	30

Year Two

SEMESTER	MODULES	MANDATORY/ELECTIVE	CREDITS	CONTACT HOURS
3	Exotic & Wildlife Nursing	Mandatory	5	5
	Professional, Regulatory and Ethical Studies	Mandatory	5	5
	Veterinary Nursing 2	Mandatory	10	12
	Work Placement 3 - Practical/Theory	Mandatory	10	30
4	Veterinary Practice Mgt	Mandatory	10	10
	Veterinary Nursing 3	Mandatory	10	10
	Work Placement 4 - Practical/Theory	Mandatory	10	30

Year Three

SEMESTER	MODULES	MANDATORY/ELECTIVE	CREDITS	CONTACT HOURS
5	Animal Behaviour and Behavioural Therapy	Mandatory	5	5
	Emergency and Critical Care Nursing	Mandatory	5	5
	Work Placement 5 - Practical/Theory	Mandatory	10	30
	Veterinary Nursing 4	Mandatory	10	10
6	Pharmacy & Stock Mgt.	Mandatory	5	5
	Work Placement 6 - Practical/Theory	Mandatory	10	30
	Professional Practice Skills	Mandatory	10	8
	Veterinary Nursing 5	Mandatory	5	5

Professional Recognition

This course is fully accreditation by the Veterinary Council of Ireland

Add-on Courses

On successful completion of this programme, learners may transfer to the following programmes at ATU Donegal:

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

Minimum Points Score 160
Minimum Five O6/H7
Maths F2/O6/H7
One of Phy/Chm/Pch/Bgy/Ags at O6/H7
English or Irish O6/H7

Number of Places	32

Reserved Quota
Mature Applicants	1
QQI FET Applicants	2
Access Studies Students	1

Special Requirements

Physical Science Work Placement

The work placement modules are an integral part of the course. The aim of the placement is to provide learners with an opportunity to gain skills, experience and competence. Please note that with while the University will make every effort to assist the learner in finding a placement final responsibility for securing the placement resides with the learner. The learner may have to travel outside of Donegal for placement. Travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the learner.

Information for:

Student Experience

-- Mairead Boyce

Undertaking a degree in Veterinary Nursing requires a lot of time and effort, but it is hugely rewarding. The course content is current and practical and the placement element of the course here in Letterkenny IT gives students an insight into the workings of a Veterinary Clinic from the very beginning. The support from lecturers and placement providers throughout is second to none. I completed both my Veterinary Nursing and Animal Behaviour & Welfare degrees in Letterkenny IT and they have opened doors for me that I had always hoped for but never thought possible.

I have been working in clinical practice since graduation, initially in mixed practice then specialising in small animal only practice, where I would have undertaken nurse consultations on a daily basis. They were a great opportunity to impart all the knowledge from the Veterinary Nursing course to clients. I began lecturing in September 2017 and I am really enjoying it. It's great to be back in Letterkenny IT but from a different perspective.

Career Pathways

The main employers are:

Private Veterinary Practices
Animal Welfare Organistations
Veterinary Hospitals

Graduate Careers

Graduate careers typically include:

Registered Veterinary Nurse
Animal Behaviourist
Veterinary Pharmaceutical Specialist

Employer Testimonials

How To Apply Scholarships Download Prospectus

Key Information

CAO Key Dates:
Discounted closing date – 20 January (17:15)
Normal closing date – 1 February (17:15)
Late closing date – 1 May (17:15)
Change of Mind opens – 5 May (12:00)
Change of Mind closes – 1 July (17:15)

Further Information

Department Administration: +353 (0)74 9186309 /+353 (0)74 9186310

Head of Department Dr Kim Mc Fadden
Email: science@lyit.ie
Telephone: +353 (0)74 9186309

School and Department
Faculty of Science & Health
Department of Life & Physical Sciences