FAB nursing course

Re: FAB nursing course

Laura Ringsell — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 06:50:55 GMT

I did this course last year, I won my place, through an advert on here so had nothing to lose. Like all courses some of it was a breeze and some areas needed a bit more thinking, depending on your level of feline knowledge. personally I would say 80% of it I already knew but the new stuff has been useful but I guess as I didn't pay for it that makes it easier to swallow. We now have a feline ward, are working towards our feline friendly clinic credentials and all staff are a lot more feline aware, so from a feline point of view we gained a lot! I am going to do the expert level and if nothing else it was worth doing this one to 'gain' entry. I would say put as much in to it as you can, after you have done a few modules you will have an idea how much detail they are looking for, I too came away with a distinction but didn't feel like I worked too hard for it. It is supposed to be A level standard, which makes me realise it's not the standard when I was in school back in the eighties! I hope the expert level is the under graduate level it promises to be, planning to start in Feb. On an aside I found the support from the course providers was good too, maybe I was lucky I don't think it matters who has access to do this course, any increase in knowledge and care of the nations cats can only be a good thin in my opinion.

Re: FAB nursing course

ameliakp — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:26:10 GMT

Going to bring this up again :)

I am hoping to do the diploma, which i think the course detail looks great. but will obviously have to do the advanced bit first. Has anyone started the diploma yet? and what are your thoughts?

Re: FAB nursing course

Steph Smith BSc(hons) RVN — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:08:16 GMT

[quote user="Steph Worsley"]I don't know where you got the idea it's a 3 year course???[/quote]

I may have been thinking one year is allocated to complete the advanced award and a further two to complete the diploma...?

Re: FAB nursing course

Steph Worsley — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:19:01 GMT

[quote user="Juliet Drummond DAVN (med) RVN D32/33"]have any of you started the 'expert' level? one of my nurses has just enrolled on it.

[/quote]

I did look into it, but at £1600 there's no way I could afford to do it, plus with the bad experience I had with the advanced level (no support just emails saying......you're behind on assignments you need to catch up- no hope you are ok is there anything we can do to help,, found it generally boring, they kept sending the info to my dad (as had to put his email in as they paid on their CC for me) despite multiple emails asking them to change the email address to the other one I had supplied, had loads of bad feedback as there was nothing we could "improve" in our practice yet walked away with a distinction....go figure!) Oh and saying that they only allowed QVNS onto the advanced award and then I found that non qualified people were completing it!

I think it might be interesting to do having re-read the info, I just can't warrant the expense at the moment, maybe when it's been going for a bit and I have some spare cash

[quote user="Steph Smith"]

The 3-year one? Did they have to do the certificate first?

[/quote]

it's not a 3 year course, nurses HAVE (well at least thats what they say) to have completed the advanced award first and then they have 2 years to complete the expert award although I think it will prob be able to be completed sooner than that, I don't know where you got the idea it's a 3 year course???

There are 3 levels: Foundation which is aimed at ANA's, advanced which they say is aimed at SVN's and QVNS ( when first launched there was an intermediate level which was aimed at SVN's although this was quickly dropped, and they will allow anyone to complete it) and then the expert which is the diploma top up where you have 2 years to complete.

Re: FAB nursing course

Steph Smith BSc(hons) RVN — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:03:10 GMT

The 3-year one? Did they have to do the certificate first?

Re: FAB nursing course

Juliet Drummond DAVN (med) RVN D32/33 — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:20:06 GMT

have any of you started the 'expert' level? one of my nurses has just enrolled on it.

Re: FAB nursing course

anji jonas — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:36:30 GMT

Ive just started this course too

im working through the questions in the first unit and im just wondering how much depth is required in your answers? some of the questions could be answered with just a sentance or could equally be answered with a few paragraphs giving more detail?

at present im going for the detail and trying to look at a variety of sources but after reading the posts above im beginning to wonder if its really needed. most of it is not new to me either and i did already own (and have read) the majority of the books on the reading list, so when im answering the questions i have been putting in as much detail as i can find, but yes one of the questions seems based on my opinion and im a little worried about how it will be marked

anyone who has completed this, are they really only looking for the basics or am i doing the right thing by putting in all the detail?

Re: FAB nursing course

rubyshoes — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:28:50 GMT

I think its wrong to say you dont get anything out of this course, RVNS who have a keen interest in cats and have done research already wont benefit because its stuff you probably know already but I have seen many RVNS and nursing assistants who are absolutely terrible as handling and understanding cats and often treat them the same as they would a dog so this course would benefit them! Dont expect too much and try to enjoy it. You must complete though in the allocated time or thats it! No extensions

Re: FAB nursing course

BengalcatRVN — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:34:33 GMT

I was on the course but have struggled witht he home visit advice bit. Sadly the case I used wasn't what they wanted. They wanted a map of the home, but the client case I used was getting annoyed with the calls I was making (believe it or not, free help and advice is turned down!)

Have been trying to get another case and have failed misrably. Not heard from the FAB course recently either, bearing in mind I should have finished the course several months ago.

Re: FAB nursing course

Steph Smith BSc(hons) RVN — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:59:01 GMT

I was really interested in doing this one. I love anything FAB/ISFM do. I've been to ISFM congress. I've done a bit of feline CPD and self-directed study, so I was already under the impression that the certificate level would probably not be that much of a benefit to me , however to do the 3yr advanced diploma you need to have done the certificate first - bit of a catch 22. If there was some kind of way to sit a test to prove you don't need to pay to do the certificate course first.. Or if the course fees were cheaper(!). Hmm I don't want to spend my entire annual CPD allowance on this if it's very basic.

Re: FAB nursing course

Cat Burdett — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:58:56 GMT

Has anybody done the course recently? Do you know if any changes have been made? I am starting the advanced course next week and was really looking forward to it until I just searched on here to see what others had said!! Luckily my practice have paid!!

Re: FAB nursing course

kittyjo — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:28:59 GMT

I can understand why the QVNs found this not as challenging.

I almost went in for the Foundation course as I was unsure what level to go in at, but figured I'd try the Advanced anyway.

I found parts quite easy but other parts interesting. I actually enjoyed the essay module and did really well as I love anything feline behaviour related.

I work in a cat-only clinic so I found it a good base for me to learn a bit more but the few problems I did find with the course was, although they wanted you to read around the subject, I often found when I gave a different opinion, they'd not necessarily say I was wrong but not say I was right either.

If that makes sense!

I felt sometimes because it was FAB run, that they often wanted you to put the answer THEY'D want to hear.

Cats are very individualistic and I felt some of the things they'd say you should do could not necessarily work for ALL cats. But there you go lol

I came away with a Credit and was pleased with that. As well as my employers.

Still awaiting my cerifiticate from the Open Network college thingy...cant remember the name. But got the certificate from COAPE/FAB.

I'm glad I did it. I'm glad my employers entrusted £400 on me to do it! I felt it showed I could still academically prove and apply myself.

I would say that I guess it is ideally more for student or QVN if they've been out of practice life for a bit..maybe!

But it will be interesting to see how things go with their new course starting next year.

I also noticed a few spelling errors in the literature and found the last module was quite a big one to get through and would've been better split into two modules.

Also some questions are opinions or about what you have or do in your own practice and i felt a bit confused about how they were marking an "opinion".

If you love cats and feel you want to learn a bit more then I would do the course.

I'm sure in time the FAB/COAPE people will improve it as time goes on.

Hope that helps

Re: FAB nursing course

Claire Cameron — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:42:48 GMT

[quote user="Steph Worsley RVN MBVNA"]

[quote user="Claire 'Duke' York RVN MBVNA"]

Ok, so I've sent you all a PM.

But my personal opinion is that the course is not set at a Qualified Nurse standard, infact I'm offended that FAB/COAPE feel that it is a QVN level as I wasn't remotely challenged by the course.

I LOVE feline medicine and feline nursing and worked in a cat only practice so was really excited to start the course but I have to be honest I was disappointed by the course content

[/quote]

Completely agree Claire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I actually feel annoyed that apart from the level was too low for us qualified VN's they actually let unqualified staff do the same level course!!!!!

[/quote]

I second that Steph.

This coment really annoyed me on the FAB site detailing the course

"We will also provide you with an eye-catching and attractive certificate for you"

How patronising!? Would that comment ever be made to a Veterinary Surgeon completing CPD?!

[quote user="Claire 'Duke' York RVN MBVNA"]

I'm offended that FAB/COAPE feel that it is a QVN level as I wasn't remotely challenged by the course.[/quote]

Not only unchallenged, but completely bored and unstimulated by the course. I can honestly say I didn't learn a single thing from the course.

Re: FAB nursing course

Steph Worsley — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:37:45 GMT

[quote user="Claire 'Duke' York RVN MBVNA"]

Ok, so I've sent you all a PM.

But my personal opinion is that the course is not set at a Qualified Nurse standard, infact I'm offended that FAB/COAPE feel that it is a QVN level as I wasn't remotely challenged by the course.

I LOVE feline medicine and feline nursing and worked in a cat only practice so was really excited to start the course but I have to be honest I was disappointed by the course content

[/quote]

Completely agree Claire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I actually feel annoyed that apart from the level was too low for us qualified VN's they actually let unqualified staff do the same level course!!!!!

Re: FAB nursing course

Claire Cameron — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:22:44 GMT

Ok, so I've sent you all a PM.

But my personal opinion is that the course is not set at a Qualified Nurse standard, infact I'm offended that FAB/COAPE feel that it is a QVN level as I wasn't remotely challenged by the course.

I LOVE feline medicine and feline nursing and worked in a cat only practice so was really excited to start the course but I have to be honest I was disappointed by the course content

Re: FAB nursing course

Steph1006 — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 20:40:54 GMT

I am considering taking this course so If you could PM those thoughts also. Would be appreciated. Thank you.

Re: FAB nursing course

kittyjo — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:10:49 GMT

I am an unqualified vet nurse with quite a few yrs of experience and felt the FAB advanced course in feline nursing was beneficial for me ( i work in a cat only practice). I felt the course was great. Came away with a credit. Some pros and cons like any course but i feel better educated because of it.

Re: FAB nursing course

Claire Cameron — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:19:08 GMT

Done

Re: FAB nursing course

rachel w — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:58:07 GMT

and me please

Re: FAB nursing course

Frisbee Flyer — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:29:09 GMT

Could you PM it to me too please

Ta muchly!

Re: FAB nursing course

Claire Cameron — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 17:55:08 GMT

Sent to you both

Re: FAB nursing course

Jen — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:13:49 GMT

And me if its not too much trouble???

Thanks loads!

Jen

Re: FAB nursing course

Diane Westwood — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:24:41 GMT

I am considering this too. Can you PM me with your thoughts please?

Re: FAB nursing course

Steph Worsley — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:41:53 GMT

[quote user="Claire 'Duke' York RVN MBVNA"]

PM sent but I'm guessing it said the same as Stephs x

[/quote]

I have a feeling it might have done Claire

Re: FAB nursing course

Claire Cameron — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:58:58 GMT

PM sent but I'm guessing it said the same as Stephs x