During your first year you will learn:

• Structure and function of animals
• Animal behaviour
• Handling and care
• Ethics
• Legislation
• Welfare
• Client interaction
• Surgical and diagnostic services
• Anaesthetic and analgesic monitoring
• Care of hospitalised patients

During your second year you will learn:

• Anaesthesia
• Surgical nursing
• Diagnostics
• Medical nursing
• Innovative veterinary nursing practice

During your third year you will learn:

• Integrated medical nursing
• Anaesthesia and surgery
• Applied animal welfare, wildlife, conservation, emergency care, animal rehabilitation
• Reflective and inquiry based practice

Academic requirement

The academic entry requirement for the BVN is either:

• University Entrance, as defined by the NZQA; or
• Evidence regarded as sufficient by the Head of School of the capability to undertake and complete the programme of study; or
• At the discretion of EIT | Te Pūkenga, where the applicant is over 20 years of age and demonstrates the capability to undertake and complete the programme of study.

Preference will be given to applicants who have achieved either:

• 12 credits or more at NCEA Level 3 in Science-rich subjects (such as Biology, Physical Education, Health, Physics and Chemistry); or
• 12 credits or more in English-rich subjects (such as English, History, Art History, Classics, Geography and Economics).

Applicants for Year one must also provide:

Veterinary clinic insight

Provide a document outlining why you wish to pursue veterinary nursing as a career which answers the following questions:

• Describe what discussions you have had with veterinarians, veterinary nurses, veterinary nurse assistants, rural animal technicians or other professionals in the veterinary field about choosing this career.
• Describe what you consider the role of a veterinary nursing assistant/veterinary nurse to be.
  

Curriculum Vitae

All applicants are required to submit a Curriculum Vitae that includes one referee who can verify that the discussion above took place and an additional referee who can provide a character reference.

Animal handling experience requirement

It is advisable that you have some experience of handling domestic animals, and are aware of what Veterinary Nurses do. Applicants for Year one are required to have previous experience working with small animals including a minimum of 10 days with businesses such as the SPCA, kennels, catteries, or pet shops. This may be demonstrated by information in the applicant’s curriculum vitae, or a separate written attestation. Upon being contacted by EIT | Te Pūkenga, a referee must be able to verify this experience. If this experience cannot be demonstrated, the applicant will be required to complete the EIT | Te Pūkenga animal handling bridging course.

Good character requirement

ALL applicants are required to provide a completed Ministry of Justice Criminal Convictions Record (a copy of this form is included in the download info). EIT | Te Pūkenga reserves the right to decline entry to the programme should an applicant’s police record be such that they would be considered unsuitable for veterinary nursing work. Applicants with convictions for dishonesty or drug offences will likely be considered unsuitable. A criminal declaration will be required every year of enrolment in the programme.

Practical requirements

Applicants must be able to carry out physical activities within the Animal Room and clinic work placement to fulfil the requirements of the programme. Applicants must also have no objection to working with animals, dissection of animal body parts, body fluids and cadavers. EIT | Te Pūkenga reserves the right to decline entry to the programme should an applicant’s physical ability or inability to work in this environment prevent them carrying out practical activities required to fulfil the requirements of the programme. These practical requirements will be discussed and confirmed during the information session.

Interview process

Applicants who meet entry requirements will be required to attend an interview to discuss information about the programme and communicate expectations regarding the programme.

A Health and Privacy Declaration will need to be completed on acceptance to the programme.

Applicants who meet all entry requirements will be selected in order of application.

All applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme. For international learners, ways in which English language fluency may be demonstrated include the following:

• Successful study of a programme in which English was the language of instruction (subject to the conditions in the EIT | Te Pūkenga Database for English Language Proficiency (DELP)).
• Completion of a New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 4 with any endorsement).
• IELTS Academic score of 6, with no band score lower than 5.5, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment.
• Accepted international equivalents to the above IELTS scores, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment (see equivalency tables in the DELP).

Entry requirements

Criteria are the same as for non-international applicants.

English language entry requirements

All applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of English Language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme. English Language fluency can be verified by achievement of one of the following within the last two years:

• New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 4 (Academic)
• IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5
• PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42
• International equivalents to IELTS accepted by NZQA or successful study of a programme in which English was the language of instruction (conditions apply).

You may already have some knowledge or skills that can be recognised as part of your intended study. This may take a number of different forms including study at a private training establishment, workplace training, other tertiary study, life experiences or voluntary work. If you think you may qualify, you may want to apply for Cross Credit (CC) or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

• CC is based on the equivalency of courses or qualifications. You would apply for CC if you have passed a very similar course at the same level.
• RPL is based on the assessment of your current knowledge and skills. You would apply for RPL if you had gained the relevant knowledge and skills through life experiences and informal learning situations.

You will be asked to provide details of anything that you would like considered as credit toward your intended programme of study, as part of your application.

You must apply prior to enrolment. CC and RPL cannot be awarded for a course if you are enrolled in that course.
Overall RPL Credit Limit 50%. The programmes maintain the ability to partially credit courses where evidence of current competence is presented.

For further information and enquiries about CC and RPL please contact, Emma Martin, Programme Coordinator, on 06 830 1373.