New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL | Te Pūkenga is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.

From 2023, UCOL | Te Pūkenga and the programme you have enrolled in will become part of Te Pūkenga. So, if you join UCOL | Te Pūkenga in 2023, you will be awarded Te Pūkenga certification. And, if you are a current learner graduating in 2023, you will be awarded a co-branded certificate.

This programme consists of 120 credits. The courses include:

Anaesthesia and Surgery (30 Credits) (75 work placement hours)
Learn how to intensively 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:

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:

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:

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 | Te Pūkenga 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 | Te Pūkenga is a TOEFL testing centre.

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 | Te Pūkenga 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.

This course is only available for graduates of the NZ Certificate in Animal Technology (Vet Nursing Assistant) level 5 or equivalent Vet Nursing qualification. The new pathway for becoming a Vet Nurse is the two year New Zealand Diploma in Vet Nursing (Companion Animal Veterinary Nursing) Level 6. Potential applicants who have partially completed the NZ Certificate in Animal Technology (Vet Nursing Assistant) level 5 who are not currently studying should discuss their options with the Academic Portfolio Manager Primary Industries.

To optimise chances of student success, 100% attendance is required for all practical classes and work placements.  It is also strongly recommended for all theory classes. 

Practical requirements: students must be able to carry out physical activities within the Animal Room and work placement to fulfil the requirements of the programme. Students must also have no objection to working with animals, dissection of animal body parts, body fluids and cadavers. UCOL | Te Pūkenga reserves the right to decline entry to the programme should an applicant’s physical ability or squeamishness prevent them carrying out practical activities required to fulfil the requirements of the programme. These practical requirements will be discussed and confirmed by staff when contacting students.

Clinical placements
All learners are required to complete work placements of at least 280 hours in a veterinary clinic setting.  It is likely the placement will be out of the Manawatū region. Out-of-region placements are sourced by the student in consultation with the Programme Leader. Highest priority for local placement are students who are single parents of children under the age of 5. Not having a car, drivers licence or having work commitments or animals to care for is not sufficient to be considered priority for local placement. This means that you are very likely to be required to undertake your clinical placement outside the wider Manawatu region therefore you will have additional costs relating to your travel and accommodation.

Travel 
Transport costs will vary according to the mode of transport and may include public transport, private car usage, and carpooling. An example of an approximate cost of petrol in a 1600cc car over 180 kilometres over five days could cost up to $80.00 or more. 

Accommodation fees 
These vary according to the types of accommodation used. Backpackers, Homestays, Student Hostels can be in the range of $50.00 - $120.00 per night. 

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL | Te Pūkenga Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Previous related programmes

The New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing supersedes and takes the best from the following programme of study, which is no longer offered:

• Diploma in Veterinary Nursing