New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Level 6

This programme consist of 120 credits. The courses includes:

Anaesthesia and Surgery (30 Credits) (75 work placement hours)

Learn how to ntensively monitor patients undergoing general anaesthesia and surgery, and to intervene appropriately. Also learn how to provide dental health care to animals.

Diagnostics A (15 Credits) (30 work placement hours)

Learn to set up, manage, run, and interpret in-house hematology, biochemistry, bacteriology, and basic cytology.

Diagnostics B (15 Credits) (35 work placement hours)

Learn how to set up, manage, run, and interpret in-house diagnostic testing, including:

• Bacteriology
• Mycology
• Virology
• Cytology
• Parasitology
• Clinical Pathology
• Radiography
• Ultrasonography
• Blood gas analysis
• Capnography

Medical Nursing (30 Credits) (75 work placement hours)

Learn to nurse all patients at Best Practice level, and to communicate at a professional level with colleagues. The course covers:

• Fluid balance and physiology
• Fluid therapy and monitoring, including interventions
• Medical records
• Pharmacology
• Recovery nutrition
• Assisted/supported feeding techniques
• Recumbent patient care
• Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy
• Catheter care 
• Wound care 
• Bandaging 
• Physical therapy 
• Analgesia
• Patient assessment
• Pathophysiology of common diseases

Management of Veterinary Nursing Services A (15 Credits) (30 work placement hours)

Learn to provide medical veterinary nursing and manage veterinary nursing services. The course covers:

• Interpersonal relations
• Weight management
• Behaviour
• Complementary medicine
• Dentistry
• Management of patients with chronic disease

Management of Veterinary Nursing Services B (15 Credits) (35 work placement hours)

Learn how to provide medical veterinary nursing and manage veterinary nursing services. The course covers:

• Triage
• Interpersonal relations 
• Weight management 
• Animal Behaviour 
• Preventative health
• Reproduction and parturition
• Complementary medicine
• Animal Welfare
• Animal Density
• Management of patients with chronic disease

Domestic Entry Requirements

Applicants must have completed the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Vet Nursing Assistant) or equivalent.

All applicants are required to:

• Declare any previous criminal convictions prior to admission being confirmed. Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment; the decision is at the discretion of the Academic Leader; and
• Authorise UCOL to obtain a background check from the New Zealand Police Licensing and Vetting Agency; and
• Complete a health declaration form including tetanus status.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible). UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

International Entry Requirements

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international student applicants.

English language proficiency

International student applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible). UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

Under 20 years of age

In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

Domestic Fees: *
$6669.00

International Fees:*
$21,500.00

Graduates of this qualification will have technical veterinary nursing skills for a clinic environment and the ability to manage patients and clients and follow protocols in all aspects of clinical veterinary practice.