In New Zealand qualified veterinary nurses are in high demand.

From February 2020 EIT’s Centre for Veterinary Nursing will offer a new three-year degree in Veterinary Nursing*. It will be delivered from the Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale.

“EIT is the second institute in New Zealand to offer a degree of this type. It is an exciting new opportunity for Hawke’s Bay and the wider community,” says Gwenda Kevern, Head of School of the Centre for Veterinary Nursing. “The degree complements the level 5 certificate and level 6 diploma in veterinary nursing that we are teaching already. From next year students with the level 6 Diploma of Veterinary Nursing will have the opportunity to enrol in the final year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing therefore upgrade their qualification to a degree in one year of full-time study.”

Students will be able to study full- or part-time, and the third year is blended (online learning and block courses).

Teaching subjects range from advanced medical nursing, anaesthesia and surgery, applied animal welfare, behaviour and training to wildlife, conservation, emergency care and animal rehabilitation.

Since qualified veterinary nurses are in high demand they will be able to pursue a variety of careers alongside those working in a veterinary clinic. These careers include veterinary nurse educators, animal care educators, roles within the Department of Conservation or the Ministry for Primary Industries, commercial and medical representatives, specialist clinic roles or animal care researchers.

*Subject to approval and accreditation