RE: VN Training / Career change

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 09:36:53 GMT

Hi Susan, currently you cannot become an RVN through an all-distance learning course. To be an RVN you can take one of the following courses:

- Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (City & Guilds or Central Qualifications)

- Foundation Degree (FdSc) (that's like a level 5) in Veterinary Nursing

- BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing

The above courses are the only way to become an RVN. The Level 3 course can have employed or apprentice students.

Age is no barrier; 42 is not too old (oldest I know of was in her 60s and is currently an excellent RVN); Learner Loans can help with paying for the course, unless you work at a vet clinic and they pay your fees, for instance.

Hope this helps! (The Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants is a pre-vet-nursing course but does not make you an RVN. Many students take the Level 2 and continue on to the Level 3.)

Best wishes,

Mark

RE: VN Training / Career change

Clare Ball — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 08:22:13 GMT

Hi Susan,

The animal assistant course are normally cheaper because you don't get to enter the profession afterwards. If you do one of these courses and want to be an RVN you're still going to have to do the Veterinary nursing course so in the long run you've effectively paid for 2 courses. (If this makes sense) I was 28 when I started college (still studying) and can't wait to hopefully qualify so I can enter the profession and proudly put RVN after my name. You can't do that with the cheaper courses.

Doing this course might stand you in better stead to get a job at a vets where they can send you to college one day a week (which is how I do my course) but if the course takes a couple of years then that's more time you are waiting to get into the profession (if you aren't already in it). I don't know how it works in Spain though.