Survey on vet nurse education

The National Industry Advisory Group (NIAG) for Veterinary Nursing is gathering information and views about the future direction of veterinary nursing education.

The group asks all veterinary practices to complete a short survey about the nurses you currently employ and your views on future education and training needs.

Anyone from the practice can complete the survey, but only one survey should be completed per practice.

Currently the national qualification for a vet nurse is the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. This qualification if taught and assessed at the appropriate level (and supported in the workplace) should give practices a highly skilled veterinary nurse equivalent to any overseas qualification.

Agrifoods Skills Australia is presently investigating the veterinary industry need for a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (General Practice) as a national qualification. There are presently diplomas in veterinary nursing in surgery, emergency and critical care and it is recommended that the student undertaking these works with a veterinary specialist.

NIAG would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time to answer ten questions on veterinary nursing and the current roles of senior veterinary nurses in Australian practices. It should take around 5-10 minutes to complete.

Complete the survey

Comments

New Veterinary Nursing Courses

Submitted by Dr Ilana Mendels on 24 January 2012.

In think promoting nursing skills and giving recognition to those nurses who want to do more in the work place is a fantastic plan VetPrac has just started rolling out some very special workshops for educating Vet Nurses in General Practice based on feedback from veterinary attendees at the surgical workshops. The first to be held at the end of March is focused on nursing geriatric and senior patients in hospital. It will cover basic and more advanced techniques as well. Unlike the certificate, these courses are for general practice vet nurses who are often called upon to perform technical activities, in a busy hospital. It is also a good way for nurses to see what can be done in a GP hospital as well. The 2-day Vetprac workshop plan to support those who want more responsibility at work through training workshops. Others in the future include dentistry and bandaging, with more to come in 2013. A formal certificate would be a wonderful way for a nurse to progress his or her career.