New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal Veterinary Nursing)
Allied Health
A course by
SIT
A two-year, Level 6 diploma preparing students for a career as a veterinary nurse, specialising in companion animal care, including 750 hours of work placement and hands-on clinical skills.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
Invercargill, Invercargill
It will take a total of 2 years
Core skills this course teaches
Technical knowledge for clinical veterinary nursing
Acquire advanced understanding and skills in veterinary nursing practice, including theory and best practice clinical procedures.
Perform animal healthcare tasks
Demonstrate ability to perform nursing care for companion animals in a range of clinical and practice settings, including surgery and hospitalised patient care.
Emergency and anaesthesia management
What You're Signing Up For
This diploma equips graduates with the technical knowledge and clinical skills required to pursue a career as a veterinary nurse, with a focus on companion animal care. The programme offers both theory and practical learning including anatomy, physiology, surgery, diagnostics, anaesthesia, animal behaviour, surgery, medical nursing, and a substantial work placement. Graduates develop the capacity to deliver high-quality animal nursing care, practice sustainably, and engage in lifelong learning in the veterinary sector. The diploma is structured across four semesters (two years full time), and completion enables eligibility for professional registration.
Course Content
- Veterinary nursing practice
- Animal husbandry and behaviour
- Anatomy and physiology
- Anaesthesia and analgesia
- Clinical skills
- Medical nursing and diagnostics
- Surgical nursing
- Cultural practice
- Sustainability in animal care
- Diagnostic imaging
- Veterinary nursing services
- Work placements in animal healthcare environments
What you need to know first
60 NCEA credits at Level 2
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Veterinary services
Animal healthcare
Animal welfare
Future employment opportunities might be
Companion animal veterinary nurse
Animal research technician