Align-ju STUDENT
Table 1 . Pros and cons of a veterinary nursing degree .
Pros Awarded a BSc ( Hons ) degree in veterinary nursing May be more enjoyable for theory-based learners
A degree qualification may be more attractive to some potential employers
A degree offers greater versatility in employment roles
Greater flexibility in your study schedule as you are not studying around a full-time job
Exams , including OSCEs , are often held at the university , rather than at different locations around the country
The university student lifestyle can be enjoyable
Cons Heavily theory-based learning through lectures
Practical sessions are often simulations of what could happen in the veterinary practice
Veterinary practice experience is limited to placements
Placements in veterinary practice are often unpaid positions and can be overwhelming
Theory lectures may not always provide a full / accurate reflection of work at veterinary practice
Tuition fees can be expensive and there is less opportunity to work while studying
Table 2 . Pros and cons of a veterinary nursing diploma .
Pros Awarded an official diploma in veterinary nursing
May be more enjoyable for practical learners due to the greater hands-on experience
Diploma students are often full-time , paid employees May be able to develop your practical skills more quickly
You may have the option of full-time or part-time education
Cons Theory-based learners may find the course too practical
You may feel overwhelmed if you are working in a busy practice alongside studying
You may struggle to work full-time while studying
Practical exams are usually held at different locations across the country , so you may need to travel to them
A diploma qualification may be less attractive to some potential employers
University degree
Some students may opt to study veterinary nursing at university . This involves studying for set months of the year , attending lectures and participating in practical sessions . Throughout the university year , placements are allocated at veterinary practices for students to get more hands-on experience .
College diploma and apprenticeship
Many RVNs qualify via the diploma route . SVNs are employed full-time and released 1 day per week to attend a college . Often , they will stay at their training practice after they have qualified .
If you ' ve already started studying and are not enjoying your chosen training route , speak with your college or university to find out your options . Veterinary nursing training can be difficult , no matter which route you take , so always ask for extra support if you need it .
You don ' t need to know it all
When you ' re training , you can feel pressure to know and understand everything . When I look back on my time as an SVN , I can recall putting myself under considerable stress to be the master of each subject . Part of the pressure came from feeling that I needed to know all the answers , otherwise it could have appeared that I wasn ' t trying hard enough or progressing in my nursing knowledge sufficiently . In reality , I was progressing well .
I would encourage you to release any similar selfimposed pressures by accepting that you are a student and , as such , you ' re constantly learning . The truth is , even now as an RVN , I ' m still learning , and yet I still feel that I have to know the answer to every question . Sometimes , a receptionist may ask for advice and I feel ashamed for not knowing the answer . When we qualify , we seem to expect to instantly become a fountain of continuously flowing knowledge , but that ' s impossible .
Volume 39 ( 1 ) • February 2024
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