Veterinary Care Assistant

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Sally Seddon — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:43:32 GMT

[quote user="philyip"]

wow how blunt and rude was that !

[/quote]

How blunt and rude was what?

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Maisy — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:57:21 GMT

[quote user="philyip"]

wow how blunt and rude was that !

[/quote]

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:55:44 GMT

wow how blunt and rude was that !

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Sally Seddon — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 23:33:57 GMT

Steph i did my ANA via SJS training . They have a website www.sjstraining.co.uk

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Katie B — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:58:39 GMT

Maybe contact the RCVS, both VCA and Ana count towards doing your vet nursing. I googled it to find where I could do my course. Then I found out about Writtle College. I start in September and can't wait. xx

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Steph Phillips — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:09:38 GMT

I plan on doing the VCA course one day .. with the ANA though, do both qualifications enable you to go on and do the VN training if you wish too? also which one is better? is there a difference?? sorry for all the questions..!!

oh I read the link Nick put up .. sounds fab! although my GSCE's are not great! where can I find info on ANA courses?

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Katie B — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:34:53 GMT

[quote user="Maisy"]

[quote user="Katie Brocklebank"]

I am about to start the VCA this september at College. This use to be the ANA ABC Certificate. Not sure why they changed it, is the course difficult? So excited to start it, when your doing it long distance, do you still need to have a placement? Good luck to all whose exams are coming up! x

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The ANA and VCA are two separate qualifications btw. You definitely still need a placement regardless of how you study as there are practical elements/case studies etc.

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Hmm, well thats strange, wonder why they changed it, they didn't give me a reason at my interview though.

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Maisy — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:16:18 GMT

[quote user="Katie Brocklebank"]

[/quote]

The ANA and VCA are two separate qualifications btw. You definitely still need a placement regardless of how you study as there are practical elements/case studies etc.

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Nick Shackleton — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:45:42 GMT

http://www.caw.ac.uk/courses/vn/vnvcanc.aspx

this link should explain the information required. As far as I'm aware because there are practical assessments that need to be carried out for you to pass the course then yes you will be required to have a placement. Doesn't make a difference whether you study at college or at home. Distance learning is a lot harder as you have to be self motivated and have support of your work place to allow you time to study.

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Katie B — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:39:32 GMT

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Nick Shackleton — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:39:23 GMT

I did the Pre-VN course many years ago......

I didn't get a badge, but then 3 months after passing the Pre-VN I went on to VN training.

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Jazmyn — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:34:53 GMT

Could it be perhaps that they dont give you a badge purely because most VCA/ANA's end up going on to do their VN anyway?

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Maisy — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:30:48 GMT

Can you not get it put on your work name badge??

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

JoeyRoo — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:15:29 GMT

totally agree

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Nichola231 — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:12:48 GMT

I'm annoyed because VCAs have no way of distinguishing themselves from other non-nursing members of staff. I am very proud of the work I put into assignments, the 12 hr shifts, the weeks of revision etc so why should qualified VCAs not receive a badge.

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Maisy — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:39:16 GMT

It was because BVNA administered the ANA initially (or pre VN way back when) so it was them who got the badge and uniform set up. Years ago when the PreVN started there were still those who didn't consider the qualification to mean anything - annoying but that's how it goes. As people become more aware of the VCA course, opinions will change.

It was College of Animal Welfare who set the course up I think, maybe speak to them and see if there are any plans for badges?

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

JoeyRoo — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:11:59 GMT

it is irritating though, as it is recognised by the bvna so why shouldnt it be a highlighted award?!!

43 assignments and 3 hours of examinations later no recognition of acheivment!

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Sal the 1st — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:51:38 GMT

[quote user="Nic the Crazy Rodent Lady"]

So I have replied asking why no badge is available since ANA and VCA are practically the same thing.

[/quote]

you have answered your own question there - they may be 'practically' the same but it doesnt make them the same, and just because 1 awarding body decides to recognise it with a badge it doesnt mean everybody else follows suit unfortunately - on the bright side if you dont wear a badge your uniform lasts longer as you dont get a 'thin bit' where you keep sticking the pin through

see if your boss will recognise your qualification on your name badge - that may be the solution

but at the end of the day - hey its only a bit of tin, I havnt worn mine for years and I dont feel it has hindered my abilities as a nurse any

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Nichola231 — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:40:57 GMT

Hello Nichola

We have never issued badges for this qualification.

Regards

Charming!

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Nichola231 — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:44:43 GMT

I emailed City and Guilds regarding the VCA badge for our uniforms and this was the reply I got

Hello Nichola

Thank you for your email

No, we do not have badges.

Regards

So I have replied asking why no badge is available since ANA and VCA are practically the same thing.

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Nichola231 — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:31:34 GMT

I finished my VCA in june. I thought the course was great! I loved every minute of it!

The only thing that really annoys me is how people with the ANA qualification are taken more seriously than VCA's. Not to put down anyone who has done or is about to do the ANA but if you look at the modules, VCA covers anaesthesia, radiography and euthanasia which (to the best of my knowledge) ANA doesn't.

There is such snobbery here in Northern Ireland with regards to the ANA. I heard of one girl who completed the VCA with flying colours but the practice she started to work in made her do the ANA course because it is taught at greenmount college.

ANA and VCA are the same level, covering the same range of topics.

As for the uniforms, I never paid much attention to that. I wear plain blue scrubs with a spongebob patch on the pocket.

Jazmyn: Placements are hard to get hold of but I found that going into the practice, meeting the practice manager if there is one and handing them a CV and cover letter really helped.

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Jazmyn — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:45:26 GMT

I am trying to do it but cant get a placement to save my life :( Well done on yours though.

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

JoeyRoo — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:59:21 GMT

hi sorry for the delay in replying!

i just did my vca exams yesterday! yeah its been good overall, have you started yet? if so how are you finding it?

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 04 May 2010 06:17:40 GMT

http://www.caw.ac.uk/courses/vn/vnvcanc.aspx

this explains the qualification a bit more

Re: Veterinary Care Assistant

Anonymous — Tue, 04 May 2010 01:36:25 GMT

Hi, I am soon going to be starting the VCA course via long distance , Are the subjects that we have to learn at home the same as the ones for our case log book at a vets ?

Thanks.

Kerry.x