Apprenticeships > Landbased Apprenticeships

Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship – Level 3

Print this page

Courses Code

PW3APSVET

Study method

Part Time

Location(s)

Work based

View courses

Print this page

Course aim

This apprenticeship is suitable for anyone who wants to work as a veterinary nurse.

Veterinary nursing is the supportive care of animals receiving treatment within a veterinary practice. A veterinary nurse works as a member of the veterinary team, providing expert nursing care for sick animals. Veterinary nurses also play a significant role in educating owners on maintaining the health of their pets. They carry out technical work and are skilled in undertaking a range of diagnostic tests, medical treatments and minor surgical procedures, under veterinary direction.

To be accepted onto the apprenticeship programme, apprentices must already hold the statutory requirement of 5 GCSEs to include English, maths and science at a grade C/4 and above or equivalent.

In addition, applicants need to have completed at least six months or 600 hours of practical work experience working in a veterinary practice.

The level 2 veterinary care qualification is not essential but advantageous.
Course content

The apprentice will study the core knowledge, skills and behaviours as laid out in the apprenticeship plan. Included with this the apprentice will study for 2-3 years and cover the following units for dogs, cats, rabbits & guinea pigs in which they will also be assessed:
- Professional Veterinary Nursing Responsibilities
- Diagnostic Principles
- Principles of Veterinary Nursing Care
- Pharmacology and Dispensary Management
- Practical Veterinary Nursing Skills
- Anaesthesia and Theatre Nursing Skills
- Life Stage Nursing Care and Support
- Surgical Nursing
- Patient Care
The knowledge is the information, technical knowledge, and ‘knowhow’ that the individual needs to have and to understand in order to successfully carry out their duties.
Course assessment

You will attend college one day a week.

There is a mandatory qualification attached to this standard where the apprentice will work towards a range of knowledge, skills and behaviours associated with the job role. On successful completion of the qualification and End Point Assessment the learner will be awarded the RCVS – accredited Licence to Practise Veterinary Nursing qualification at Level 3.
Benefits to employers

Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way for any organisation to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. Hiring an apprentice can help you improve productivity and reduce staff turnover.

There’s a wide selection of apprenticeships available, covering lots of different job roles to help you choose a qualification that quits your business needs. This helps you match the skills of the employees to the skills that you need.

Fees

If you have less than 50 staff and the apprentice is between 16-18 then the apprenticeship will be fully funded, you will only need to pay for the apprentice’s wages. If you choose to recruit an apprentice who is 19 or above you will be required to pay 5% of the cost of the apprenticeship (the government will fund 95%).

If you are a large employer with 50+ staff you will be required to fund 5% of the apprenticeships costs regardless of the age of the learner.

Employers with a wage bill of over £3 million will pay the cost of the apprenticeship through the apprenticeship levy.
Benefits to apprentices

As an apprentice you will work alongside experienced, skilled staff, you will gain job-specific skills and training, you will earn a wage and get holiday pay whilst you train.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone is able to benefit from the life changing opportunities of an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are opening the door to professions that used to only be an option for people with a traditional degree.

Apprenticeships are more than just another way to gain a qualification and can give you the skills you need to progress your career.

Course aim

This apprenticeship is suitable for anyone who wants to work as a veterinary nurse.

Veterinary nursing is the supportive care of animals receiving treatment within a veterinary practice. A veterinary nurse works as a member of the veterinary team, providing expert nursing care for sick animals. Veterinary nurses also play a significant role in educating owners on maintaining the health of their pets. They carry out technical work and are skilled in undertaking a range of diagnostic tests, medical treatments and minor surgical procedures, under veterinary direction.

To be accepted onto the apprenticeship programme, apprentices must already hold the statutory requirement of 5 GCSEs to include English, maths and science at a grade C/4 and above or equivalent.

In addition, applicants need to have completed at least six months or 600 hours of practical work experience working in a veterinary practice.

The level 2 veterinary care qualification is not essential but advantageous.
Course content
The apprentice will study the core knowledge, skills and behaviours as laid out in the apprenticeship plan. Included with this the apprentice will study for 2-3 years and cover the following units for dogs, cats, rabbits & guinea pigs in which they will also be assessed:
- Professional Veterinary Nursing Responsibilities
- Diagnostic Principles
- Principles of Veterinary Nursing Care
- Pharmacology and Dispensary Management
- Practical Veterinary Nursing Skills
- Anaesthesia and Theatre Nursing Skills
- Life Stage Nursing Care and Support
- Surgical Nursing
- Patient Care
The knowledge is the information, technical knowledge, and ‘knowhow’ that the individual needs to have and to understand in order to successfully carry out their duties.
Course assessment

You will attend college one day a week.

There is a mandatory qualification attached to this standard where the apprentice will work towards a range of knowledge, skills and behaviours associated with the job role. On successful completion of the qualification and End Point Assessment the learner will be awarded the RCVS – accredited Licence to Practise Veterinary Nursing qualification at Level 3.
Benefits to employers

Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way for any organisation to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. Hiring an apprentice can help you improve productivity and reduce staff turnover.

There’s a wide selection of apprenticeships available, covering lots of different job roles to help you choose a qualification that quits your business needs. This helps you match the skills of the employees to the skills that you need.

Fees

If you have less than 50 staff and the apprentice is between 16-18 then the apprenticeship will be fully funded, you will only need to pay for the apprentice’s wages. If you choose to recruit an apprentice who is 19 or above you will be required to pay 5% of the cost of the apprenticeship (the government will fund 95%).

If you are a large employer with 50+ staff you will be required to fund 5% of the apprenticeships costs regardless of the age of the learner.

Employers with a wage bill of over £3 million will pay the cost of the apprenticeship through the apprenticeship levy.
Benefits to apprentices

As an apprentice you will work alongside experienced, skilled staff, you will gain job-specific skills and training, you will earn a wage and get holiday pay whilst you train.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone is able to benefit from the life changing opportunities of an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are opening the door to professions that used to only be an option for people with a traditional degree.

Apprenticeships are more than just another way to gain a qualification and can give you the skills you need to progress your career.

Testimonials

“The Veterinary Nursing team are incredibly proud of Tamsin and what she has overcome and achieved, she deserves every success in her future career and should be very proud of her achievements. She is proof that hard work and determination pays off.”

Tamsin Ellis-Jeffries

Level 3 Diploma Veterinary Nursing (Apprenticeship)

“Kayden originally started training as a Veterinary Nurse several years ago at another college. Fast forward to now, he is coming towards the end of his apprenticeship and is proof that with some hard work and determination, you can achieve your dreams!”

Kayden Potts

Level 3 Diploma Veterinary Nursing (Apprenticeship)

“Hannah gives 110% in all she does both in the classroom and the workplace. Her dedication towards her Veterinary Nursing training is indisputable and the compassion she has for the patients in her care is remarkable. Any pet that is looked after by Hannah is a very lucky pet indeed!”

Hannah Poole

Level 3 Diploma Veterinary Nursing (Apprenticeship)

“I started working in a veterinary practice back in 2001 and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2004. I have worked in small animal, mixed and referral practice and have a bias towards anaesthesia, pain management, diagnostic imaging and emergency critical care.”

Nicola Dowling

Lecturer

Start an apprenticeship

Latest Vacancies

Earn while you learn. Are you looking for a practical route into the industry you love? Do you want to gain recognised qualifications and valuable real-world work experience? With an apprenticeship, you’ll get the best of both worlds.

Apprenticeship vacancies

Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship – Level 3

Course aim

Course content

Course assessment

Benefits to employers

Benefits to apprentices

Testimonials

Start an apprenticeship

Latest Vacancies