Unit information: Principles and Practice of Veterinary Nursing in 2023/24

Unit name	Principles and Practice of Veterinary Nursing
Unit code	VETS10021
Credit points	40
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Mrs. Vivian
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	All other first year units
Units you may not take alongside this one	N/A
School/department	Bristol Veterinary School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Unit Information

This unit will enable students to understand basic principles of pathogens, the mechanisms by which they cause disease, how healthy animals function and how health can be maintained. Students will learn the essential knowledge and develop skills of nursing care in the management of patients. Students will also explore aspects of sustainability in relation to the veterinary industry.

Your learning on this unit

Learning outcomes:

1. Describe the basic biology of the major groups of microorganisms and, with regards to the major pathogens of animals, describe the diseases they cause, the mechanisms by which they cause disease, their modes of transmission, epidemiology and control, and the principles of laboratory recognition
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 explore the key concepts of sustainability in relation to the veterinary industry

Species range: Canine, Feline, Equine, Exotics

How you will learn

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

How you will be assessed

Students must pass the following assessments:

Written assessment – individual essay. ‘Sustainability in the veterinary industry (20%)

2 hour written examination (80% weighting)

30 minute practical examination (Must Pass)

All components must be passed to pass the unit and all units must be passed in order to progress to the next year of study.

Students may be offered a resit opportunity 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. VETS10021).

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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.