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01995 642222

(Dip HE CVN)

Dear Registered Veterinary Nurse,

 

This information page is intended to provide an overview of the Dip HE CVN course and how this enables your progression to the RCVS Dip AVN qualification, including course structure, study weekend requirements, and examination information, information of additional fees and important study dates. We have successfully supported numerous students towards Dip HE CVN and Dip AVN graduation since the course began in 2007, and we look forward to doing the same for you.

 

About the Course:

 

The Dip HE CVN is a challenging 2-year course and it is anticipated that you will need to spend a minimum of 10 to 15 hours per week completing assignments, reading through the weekly session booklets and researching the subject matter further. We do not however check the time you spend studying at home, or whether you have individually accessed the course documents on a weekly basis, as this is your responsibility. This is a Higher Education qualification which requires motivation, independent learning skills and very good time management. It is your qualification to achieve, however you have a fantastic team of tutors on this course who are there to support you every step of the way. If you would like a tour of the outstanding veterinary nursing facilities, or to meet with the Course Tutor to discuss any aspect of the course, then please contact Trudy Priestman at tpriestman@myerscough.ac.uk

The course factsheet is available on the website for your perusal:

 

 

Did you know:

  • We have a very experienced, highly qualified teaching team
  • Excellent clinical facilities and teaching accommodation in the purpose-built our Veterinary Nursing Centre
  • Excellent student support

 

Course Structure:

The academic year runs from September to May when the examinations take place, and resit examination week is mid-August (this is based on this year’s academic calendar. We receive a new academic calendar each year from the University which is subject to change).

You study all four of the first year modules, and it is in second year where you choose which three of the available five modules you want to study in combination. The choice of three is completely up to you and we encourage you to make this decision based upon your typical workload in practice, or based upon your future career plans.

 

  • Equine applicants: please note that the second year elective Veterinary Surgical Nursing module is not currently a module that has been validated by the RCVS, thus your choice of 3 will be made from the remaining 4 modules.

 

Having successfully completed the Dip HE CVN 2-year course, you will then be eligible to undertake the VN3006 Integrative Project module, which is a literature review and leads to you achieving your Dip AVN (Small Animal or Equine) qualification, and of course your ‘blue badge’. The Dip AVN is currently regarded as the highest professional qualification an RVN can achieve. This VN3006 module doubles up as the first module on the BSc (Hons) Clinical Veterinary Nursing course we deliver at University Centre Myerscough, which is a direct progression route from the Dip HE CVN / Dip AVN qualifications; as a progression route, naturally the BSc (Hons) course is a higher academic level than these Diploma qualifications. We provide you with information about progression to BSc (Hons) top-up in your second year.

 

You may also want to access our online learning portal ‘Canvas’ at the address below where there are examples of the course material for all the Dip HE CVN modules as well as more course information and examples of the study weekend timetables and module assignments:

 Entry Criteria:

 

  • Qualified veterinary nurse
  • Registered on RCVS SA or EQ register https://findavet.rcvs.org.uk/find-a-vet-nurse/
  • Minimum 1 year post-qualification experience taken from the date of first registration:
  • Accredits you with 120 credits at HE Level 4

 

Practise Standards:

 

  • Be employed or have access to a suitable veterinary clinical environment for a minimum of 12 weeks per annum for the duration of the course
    • RCVS PSS Tier 2 at least
    • Training Practice Standard
    • Referral practice or University hospital
  • A letter of support from employer is required confirming the status of the practice / case load / acknowledgement of your participation in the course

 

Course Delivery:

 

  • Blended Delivery:
    • Online weekly delivery of session booklets via Canvas
    • Compulsory attendance at study weekends and induction days
    • Teaching strategies:
    • Lectures
    • Power-point presentations
    • Practical sessions
    • Group work / discussions
    • Guest speakers
    • Interactive Canvas resources / webinars
  • Core lectures by teaching team
  • Specialist lectures by external guest speakers (discipline specialties)
  • Study / library time
  • Practical time (Year 2)
  • Course tutorials
  • Personal tutorials by request

 Accommodation:

 

Unfortunately, on-site accommodation cannot be guaranteed during the study weekends as there are other (full-time) students in residency

However, accommodation may be occasionally available on-site and students are advised to contact the us and speak to Shirley Tate directly prior to the study weekends to check. reshelp@myerscough.ac.uk

 

 

Study Resources:

 

  • On campus library access at weekends till 5pm
    • Saturdays and Sundays till 5pm
  • Off campus on-line library access
  • HE Building computer study room available till 11pm at weekends, and later on request!

 

Assessment strategies:

 

  • Each module has its own assessment methods including:
    • Written examinations
    • Assignments
    • Practical examinations (year 2 only)
  • Each assessment must be passed independently
  • Minimum pass mark = 40%

 

Student Support:

 

Students receive excellent support through:

  • The Course Tutor
  • Personal Tutor
  • Module Tutor
  • Academic Student Support
  • Canvas / eLearning Team
  • The CORE

Progression: 

  • The Dip HE CVN qualification (2 years) facilitates the attainment of the Dip AVN qualification (Small Animal or Equine)
  • Dip AVN is a distinct post-qualification award made by the RCVS within a HE framework:
  • Dip HE CVN: 120 HE credits @ level 5 over 2 years
  • Dip AVN: 20 HE credits @ level 6 over 1 semester
  • Both the Dip HE CVN and Dip AVN are enrolled on separately

To attain the Dip ANV Qualification:

  • Must be registered on the course by the RCVS
    • We facilitate this in your second year of the Dip HE CVN
  • Successfully complete the 2 year Dip HE CVN
  • Successfully complete the Integrative Project level 6 module (VN3006) which is made up of 4000 word literature review on a veterinary nursing topic of your choice and a 30 minute VIVA with your supervisor and an RCVS examiner:
    • At University Centre Myerscough.
    • Via Skype 
  • The award of Dip AVN is at the discretion of the RCVS

 Dates:

 

The course begins every year at the very start of September – for the next academic year you will be expected to attend two induction days on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd September 2019.

 

Please ensure you check your email address on a regular basis that so we can ensure you are as prepared as you can be in advance, for example we will contact you about completing your online University enrolment during August so you are a fully enrolled student by the time you get here. This means you will be able to access the computer network and online resources in a timely manner. This is very important in relation to getting you on track during the first two induction days.

 

If you have been late in submitting your application, i.e. right up to the final deadline of August 31st, you will only be allowed to start the course if you are able to attend the two induction days on the following week; these induction dates are crucial to get you set-up and ready to progress with the course work and assessments. Non-attendance puts you at a great disadvantage in relation to being successful on the course. Late applications will be considered on an individual basis.

 

The remaining study dates for year 1 will be weekends, both Saturday and Sunday, typically in November, January and March. The specific dates will be emailed out to all interested parties / applicants once they have been finalised.

 

The Diploma Veterinary Nursing Team

  • Head of Veterinary Nursing:
    • Dr Lorraine Allan
    • MA Ed, BVSc, MRCVS, PGCE
    • lallan@myerscough.ac.uk
  • HE Assistant Head of Veterinary Nursing:
    • Claire Bloor
    • MA Ed, BSc (Hons) VN, RVN, PGCE, QTLS Cert VN( Dent)
    • cbloor@myerscough.ac.uk 
  • Course Tutor:
    • Trudy Priestman
  • Module Tutors:
    • Lorraine Allan MA Ed BVSc MRCVS PGCE
    • Claire Bloor MA Ed, BSc (Hons) VN, RVN, PGCE, QTLS, Cert VN (Dent)
    • Lynne Kerrigan MA Ed, Cert Ed, RVN
    • Helen Clarke BVSc, MRCVS, Cert Ed
    • Kirsty Edgley BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Small Animal), Dip HE CVN, RVN
    • Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN REVN RVN A1 PTTLS
    • Catherine Trickett BVSc BSc (Hons) MRCVS
    • Trudy Priestman BSc (Hons) RVN PGCE

 

 

Please return any remaining documentation to:

 

The Recruitment and Admissions Office,

Myerscough College

Bilsborrow

Preston

Lancashire

PR3 0RY

 

University Centre Myerscough, St Michael's Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, PR3 0RY

For all enquiries please see our contact page or call 01995 642222.

UK Provider Registration Number: 10004478