RVC Graduate Diploma - to do or not to do?

Re: RVC Graduate Diploma - to do or not to do?

bongo — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:04:36 GMT

Its great to hear that your practice are actively encouraging nurses to do these qualifications, the normal process is for nurses to have to pester their bosses to let them do these courses!

I am doing the Dip CVN/ Dip AVN and am sooo pleased I chose to do this, it has completely changed my outlook on the way I nurse and has given me the knowledge to be confident in my clinical decision making.

Enjoy the course, it will get tough but just think of what you will gain at the end of it!

Re: RVC Graduate Diploma - to do or not to do?

JaneRVN — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:06:37 GMT

Excellent choice! Good luck, you'll love it!

Re: RVC Graduate Diploma - to do or not to do?

Rachael_24 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:17:12 GMT

Hi everyone,

Thank you very much for your advice! I've decided to go for it!

Now I just have to hope that I am one of the two people picked to do it! Eeek!

x x x

Re: RVC Graduate Diploma - to do or not to do?

JaneRVN — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:55:56 GMT

Before you decide maybe check a few things. As its a PgDip its a Level 8 qualification. I did it and a few of the others had done the BSc and it still stretched them.

Alot of the modules are RCVS accredited - so you can follow up with added modules elsewhere if the RCVS accreditation means more to you.

In terms of employers, whne you explain the academic level and what you have gained from it they are really impressed. Thats seems to mean more than anyone owrrying about RCVS accreditation - I've never actiually been asked if it is RCVS accredited!

Re: RVC Graduate Diploma - to do or not to do?

Kim Buckley — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:30:48 GMT

Do it Rach! :D I can show you some of the work if you want. Hi Lucy! X

Re: RVC Graduate Diploma - to do or not to do?

Lucy Montague — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:48:01 GMT

Rachael I think a lot of nurses seem to have the same queries as you. I recently completed the RVC diploma in September 2012 and was really glad I did it. I also did the degree and yes I must admit the first year was quite similar to some of the modules from the degree but it was nice revision! and I understood everything a lot better the second time around, and got better results! The elective modules were brilliant and I learnt so much more than I ever got taught in my degree. I believe it has made me a much better nurse and I use things I learnt every day at work especially when other nurses ask for help. I felt I wanted to do this one over the other diploma because it was a level 6 (same as degree) whilst the other is a level 5 and didn't want to do a lower level course. The fact that it is not rcvs accredited didn't really bother me. The price has gone up since I did it so can't really comment too much except I did have to fund most of it myself too. It is really hard work and you have to be prepared to let go of your social life to 2 years but it's worth it in the end. My friend has just started the MSc but it's a new course and I think there are some creases that need ironing out but this is a course that I am looking to do in the future. Also look at the American VTS qualifications because they are very good and well recognised. I'm looking to do my VTS anaesthesia qualification next. I think you need to decide if the 'blue badge' is important to you and if money is a concern then you could look into bursaries from the bvna. Unfortunately all post graduate qualifications are expensive these days. But I have to say I definitely don't regret my choice and learnt a lot more than on my degree. Good luck!! Lucy

Re: RVC Graduate Diploma - to do or not to do?

Katie Mansfield — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:39:30 GMT

If it's the same level as your BSc then I would say it's prob not worth it. If it was me (and it will be in about 3 / 4 yrs time) I would be def looking into funding options for the MSc. BVNA run bursaries - dunno if it cover that but worth a look, or maybe look into doing it part-time then spreading the cost?

Talk to your employer again and see what they think of the MSc. You never know he might be in favour after all.

Good luck,

K x