Introduction to Veterinary Nursing and Animal Health
This subject provides an introduction to the field of animal nursing. The student will acquire basic knowledge about the role of a veterinary nurse in a clinic, relevant regulations, and communication with clients/pet owners and colleagues.
Additionally, the subject introduces common instruments and tools used in a small animal clinic, as well as the handling of biological materials. The student will gain knowledge to understand and adhere to the principles of hygiene and aseptic techniques, as well as basic health and safety practices in a clinic. The subject also offers an introduction to genetics and breeding, including relevant regulations. The student will be able to reflect on the challenges of pet breeding.
A practice period in an animal clinic is included in the subject. The practice period lasts for 4 consecutive weeks, with a minimum of 37.5 hours per week, at a clinic in the Nordic region approved by Nord University.
The student is required to follow the clinic's working hours and regulations. The student's progress will be documented continuously in a practical handbook, and this, along with feedback from the clinic supervisor, will be the basis for the assessment. Please refer to the Guidelines for Practice for the Bachelor's in Animal Nursing at Nord University, which are applicable at all times.
Knowledge:
The student should:
- Understand the role of a veterinary nurse in a veterinary clinic.
- Explain the process of a clinical examination.
- Have knowledge of clinical parameters.
- Describe the safe handling of biological sample materials.
- Be familiar with relevant regulations.
- Have insight into basic equipment and procedures in a clinic.
- Have insight into genetics and breeding, as well as the legislation related to this.
- Understand the importance of disease transmission, infection prevention, and hygiene.
- Have basic knowledge of general microbiology.
Skills: The student can:
- Understand and use relevant terminology used in veterinary medicine.
- Communicate with clients, colleagues, and collaborators.
- Observe and assist in basic veterinary nursing tasks
- Work according to hygiene principles and perform proper hand hygiene.
- Perform cleaning and disinfection of premises and equipment.
General Competence: The student
- Has a general understanding of the role of a veterinary nurse in the daily operations of a clinic.
- Recognizes and understands the significance of normal variations in physiological parameters.
- Understands and can adhere to basic aseptic principles in sample handling and analysis.
- Has acquired general knowledge about infection control and prevention.
- Understands and can adhere to aseptic principles in general.
- Can reflect on the challenges of pet breeding.
- Has basic knowledge of health and safety (HMS) in a clinic.
- Can work according to established procedures and instructions.
Skills: The student can:
- Understand and use relevant terminology used in veterinary medicine.
- Work according to hygiene principles.
- Communicate with clients, colleagues, and collaborators.
General Competence: The student
- Has a general understanding of the role of an animal nurse in the daily operations of a clinic.
- Recognizes and understands the significance of normal variations in physiological parameters.
- Understands and can adhere to basic aseptic principles in sample handling and analysis.
- Has acquired general knowledge about infection control and prevention.
- Understands and can adhere to aseptic principles in general.
- Can reflect on the challenges of pet breeding.
- Has basic knowledge of health and safety (HMS) in a clinic.
Skills: The student can:
- Understand and use relevant terminology used in veterinary medicine.
- Work according to hygiene principles.
- Communicate with clients, colleagues, and collaborators.
General Competence: The student
- Has a general understanding of the role of an animal nurse in the daily operations of a clinic.
- Recognizes and understands the significance of normal variations in physiological parameters.
- Understands and can adhere to basic aseptic principles in sample handling and analysis.
- Has acquired general knowledge about infection control and prevention.
- Understands and can adhere to aseptic principles in general.
- Can reflect on the challenges of pet breeding.
- Has basic knowledge of health and safety (HMS) in a clinic.
Skills: The student can:
- Understand and use relevant terminology used in veterinary medicine.
- Work according to hygiene principles.
- Communicate with clients, colleagues, and collaborators.
General Competence: The student
- Has a general understanding of the role of an animal nurse in the daily operations of a clinic.
- Recognizes and understands the significance of normal variations in physiological parameters.
- Understands and can adhere to basic aseptic principles in sample handling and analysis.
- Has acquired general knowledge about infection control and prevention.
- Understands and can adhere to aseptic principles in general.
- Can reflect on the challenges of pet breeding.
- Has basic knowledge of health and safety (HMS) in a clinic.
Skills:
The student can:
- Understand and use relevant terminology used in veterinary medicine.
- Work according to hygiene principles.
- Communicate with clients, colleagues, and collaborators.
General Competence:
The student:
- Has a general understanding of the role of a veterinary nurse in the daily operations of a clinic.
- Recognizes and understands the significance of normal variations in physiological parameters.
- Understands and can adhere to basic aseptic principles in sample handling and analysis.
- Has acquired general knowledge about infection control and prevention.
- Understands and can adhere to aseptic principles in general.
- Can reflect on the challenges of pet breeding.
- Has basic knowledge of health and safety (HMS) in a clinic.
Semester fee and textbooks. Students must cover the cost of clinic attire and, if necessary, a laboratory coat. In addition to the semester fee and textbooks, it is expected that the student has access to a laptop computer.
Travel and accomodation costs during the placement period is covered by the students themselves.
- Lectures
- Mandatory practical exercises/skill training/lab exercises
- Mandatory seminars.
The teaching activities in the course require the student to be on campus.
A practical period in an animal clinic is included in the subject. The practical period lasts for 4 consecutive weeks, with a minimum of 37.5 hours per week, at a clinic in the Nordic region approved by Nord University.
The student is required to follow the clinic's working hours and regulations. The student's progress will be documented continuously in a practical handbook, and this, along with feedback from the clinic supervisor, will be the basis for the assessment scheme PR. Please refer to the Guidelines for Practice for the Bachelor's in Animal Nursing at Nord University, which are applicable at all times.
Composite assessment:
OD: Mandatory participation in practical exercises, lab, and seminars. 0/0 of the grade. Grading: pass/fail
AK: Work requirements: 0/0 of the grade.
- Submission of reports. Grading: pass/fail
- Submission of written assignments. Grading: pass/fail
- Midterm tests. Grading: pass/fail
PR: Clinical practice, 4 weeks. Grading rule: pass/fail
SK: Written school exam, 4 hours. 100/100 of the grade. Grading rule: letter grade A - F
Simple calculator and 2 bilingual dictionaries.
Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and submitting it wholly or partially as one's own answer is considered cheating.