Unit information: Principles and Practice of Primary Veterinary Nursing in 2021/22

Unit name	Principles and Practice of Primary Veterinary Nursing
Unit code	VETS10014
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Mrs. Irwin-Porter
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	All other first year units
School/department	Bristol Veterinary School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will enable students to understand how healthy animals function and how health can be maintained. Students will learn to develop the essential skills of nursing care in the management of patients as well as the underpinning theoretical knowledge and application of the communication process in order to prepare them for communication with clients and other members of the veterinary team

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise the ethical and legal responsibilities of the veterinary nurse in relation to patients, clients (to include the public) and colleagues within veterinary practice
2. Recognise normal and abnormal parameters of both the healthy and unhealthy animal. Consider animal welfare and deliver nursing care according to the patient’s needs.
3. Relate Clinical Pharmacology to the dispensing of medicines in accordance with veterinary legislation and latest guidance.
4. Recognise and demonstrate the complexity of the communication process. Demonstrate effective communication with clients, the public, professional colleagues and responsible authorities using a range of communication skills and tools.

Species range: Canine, Feline, Equine, Exotics

Teaching Information

Practicals Online synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning Small group working Use of Virtual learning environment (Blackboard)

Assessment Information

Students must pass the following assessments:

2 hour written examination (100% weighting)

30 minute practical examination (Must Pass)

In addition,students MUST ENGAGE with the following component:

1 x reflective log relating to the communications role play

All units must be passed in order to progress to the next year of study. There will be an opportunity to resit written and practical examinations during the resit period.

Please note that practical and technical skills will also be assessed via the RCVS Nursing Progress Log.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. VETS10014).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.