Further Training

Re: Further Training

Gemma Burden RVN — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:42:23 GMT

Yeah Compass sent the prospectus through to me last week and it looks really good. I've just got to find the time to talk to the bosses to see if they would like to pay for it for me, lol.

Re: Further Training

Nick Shackleton — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:09:02 GMT

have you looked at the burgess course?

Burgess Excel — Compass Veterinary Nursing for Rabbits

This course has been developed in conjunction with Burgess Excel specifically for Veterinary Nurses in practice. It is not available to any other audience and complements the highly successful practical course that Burgess run at the annual BVNA Congress. Accreditation by Lantra Awards is in process. (Price £271.30).

Course Modules

1. Origins and Husbandry. The history of the rabbit in the UK and husbandry issues including suitable housing are covered in this module.

2. Anatomy Physiology and Nutrition. The essentials of rabbit biology are discussed including major body systems with a special focus on the gastro intestinal tract and a section covering rabbit nutrition.

3. Disease, Vaccinations and Preventative medicine. A wide range of conditions are covered from myxomatosis and VHD to bloat and ‘sticky bottom’ along with recommended vaccinations and preventative healthcare measures.

4. Parasites and Skin Conditions. All commonly encountered endo and ecto parasites are covered plus skin conditions including pododermatitis, fly strike and abscesses.

5. The Nurse Examination, Pre and Post-Operative Care. Initial health checks for new pets and annual checks are followed by pre, intra and post operative care including aspects of analgesia, intensive care and fluid therapy.

http://www.compass-education.co.uk/opencart/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=114

Re: Further Training

Gemma Burden RVN — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:33:35 GMT

Thank you for all of the advice. I had actually looked at the Vets Now ECC cert, but decided there it was probably a bit in depth for the amount of emergancy care we get at my practice. However, the Improve courses look interesting.
I'm still undecided as to what to do, I do like the sound of the Graduate Diploma for several reasons, and I still get quite excited at the thought of doing more training. The workload is what worries me as I don't want to start something I am not going to be able to finish, so I think I might have a look at some short course (I would love to do some more training on rabbits as I am the practice bunny nurse, and would like to have done something other than owned lots of rabbits to have earned the title) and see how easy it is for me to get the work done so that I can better judge just how much time I have free.

Re: Further Training

Katie Mansfield — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:38:03 GMT

Just hoping to get as qualified as I possibly can

K x

Re: Further Training

Nick Shackleton — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:54:14 GMT

[quote user="Katie Mansfield"]

I'm doing the BSc at the mo. I was wondering would it be worth my while doing the DipAVN after, or do people tend to do it before and then top up to BSc? Confused........

K x

[/quote]

As far as I'm aware with the Diploma and the BSc the first year modules are the same its the second year modules that are different as the 2nd year modules of the diploma are at an advanced level and are far more in depth than general training

Re: Further Training

Katie Mansfield — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:52:28 GMT

I'm doing the BSc at the mo. I was wondering would it be worth my while doing the DipAVN after, or do people tend to do it before and then top up to BSc? Confused........

K x

Re: Further Training

bongo — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:42:38 GMT

i do sometimes find it hard to fit in the study around work esp when I am on the late shift at work but I make up for it other weeks or on the weekend. At the mo the coursework isnt caselog type work it is assignments on set things. i think in the second year you do more course log type work or at least are encouraged to write about cases you have dealt with. I am lucky enough to be in a referral practice which gets all kinds of speciality cases so seeing different things isnt a problem to me but I think if u were concerned that you might not see some things then get in contact with your local referral practice and they should be happy to have u in to get some exposure to different things.

Re: Further Training

Nick Shackleton — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:42:46 GMT

have you thought of doing one of the Improve CPD certs? or the vets now vet ECC cert

Re: Further Training

JaneRVN — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:41:47 GMT

Oh, and it wouldn't make you over qualified for 1st opinion! No reason not to explore imprving you and your practices nursing care!

Re: Further Training

JaneRVN — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:39:44 GMT

I have just completed the RVC Graduate Diploma.

It as academically more advanced (level6) than the RCVSone and although not all modules are recognised the credits count towards access to other academic courses (alumni have used it to get on further education courses). It was important to me that it was recognised outside the Vet world as otherwise it is alot of work to not be acknowledged.

If the RCVS recognition is important you can do this via another module. However most of us aren't fussed as although it is new it really is worthdoing it over and above the RCVS one.

It appears to be similar time per week, 10-15 hours. This is ALOT on top of full-time work, and this may be the most important factor. The RVC one is all online except the initial 5 day course (wed-sun) the exams (3 days over the 2 years).

Re: Further Training

Gemma Burden RVN — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:25:24 GMT

What sort of thing do you need to do for the assignments? Are the based around cases you see in practice, and if so, are they the sort of cases that would be relatively easy to come by? Do you find it easy to fit studing in around work? This is my biggest concern as I would hate to get behind.

Re: Further Training

bongo — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:22:13 GMT

I am doing the advance dip at Myerscough, There are 4 study weekends a year although the first one is a mon-wed. Its pretty much like doing a mini degree. The quality of writing required for assignments is the same and you are expected to do around 15 hours a week self study. Lectures are posted on the intranet once a week for your modules and you are expected to read around the subject. As you can probably tell you have to be good at self directed study and it can get a bit lonely sometimes feeling like you are on your own but the lecturers are a massive support.

So far have been given two assignments and have another two to be given at the next study weekend. It is a massive commitment and you need to think about whether you are willing to devote the time as I think with the type of course it is you can easily tell who puts the work in and who doesn't.

After two years you get the HE dip in clinical vet nursing and you can do a project at the end of this to get the advanced dip and your blue badge.

Did look at the RVC grad diploma but what swung it for me was the HE dip is accredited by the RCVS and you can get your blue badge at the end of it!

Re: Further Training

Rachael_24 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:49:22 GMT

Like you, I have been considering the advanced diploma and am therefore very interested to find out more.

I have also given some thought to the american veterinary technician qualifications. Is anyone able to point me in the direction of some more information?

Thanks x