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Vet Nurse Merit Awards

The Veterinary Nurse Merit Awards are designed for the motivated nurse in primary care practice, offering structured CPD for qualified VNs who have an interest in developing their knowledge and skills, without the commitment of a certificate or diploma.

The awards are delivered in a blended fashion (combination of online teaching and attendance days) and are worth between 30 – 50 hours of CPD, depending on the subject. Following completion of the teaching, there is a clinically relevant assessment which will further enhance the learning experience. VNs who successfully complete the course will be awarded a BSAVA Veterinary Nurse Merit Award in their chosen subject.

What do the VNMA’s offer?

Teaching from outstanding speakers delivering practical and clinically relevant information
An opportunity to develop discipline based knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in practice
Flexible yet structured study
A new confidence and enthusiasm in assisting the clinical team and running clinics
A source of like-minded individuals to discuss cases with, and build friendships along the way
Support throughout your studies

Prices start from £555.00 Inc. VAT for BSAVA members and £830.00 Inc. VAT for non members

If you have any questions, please email courses@bsava.com

Medical Nursing

The BSAVA Vet Nurse Merit Award in Medical nursing will develop your skills and knowledge in nursing of medical conditions in both the cat and dog

The programme consists of:

10 online sessions including webinars which will be recorded so you can listen at your leisure
An online resource which will encourage support in your learning through online activities including a discussion forum
A practical attendance course will give you chance to meet the colleagues who have been studying at the same time as you and to get your hands on experience in practical sessions covering feeding tubes, drains, vascular access techniques and CPR.
30 hours CPD

The course will finish with an online assessment and case studies.

The next award in Medical nursing will be arranged for September 2023, to register your interest please email courses@bsava.com.

Surgical Nursing

The details of the award in Surgical Nursing are as follows.

The online resource which will provide access to webinar recordings, electronic course notes and the platform for the MCQ assessment.
All materials will be pre-recorded and a new session released every couple of weeks.

Topics covered will be split into Pre-operative patient preparation, Peri-operative monitoring and procedures and Post-operative management and monitoring through to discharge.

A practical attendance day will take place at Woodrow House, Gloucester and the award will be finished with an online MCQ assessment and case studies.

We do not currently have any spaces in the Surgical Nursing VNMA, but if you would like to register your interest in enrolling for 2024 please contact: courses@bsava.com

Nutrition

The BSAVA Vet Nurse Merit Award in Nutrition, sponsored by Royal Canin will provide you with all that is needed to be able to confidently assess, discuss and make excellent nutritional recommendations, meaning you can make a significant difference to every patient you meet.

The programme consists of:

A series of online lectures containing recorded webinars, resources and online tasks
A practical teaching day
Online support with your tutors and colleagues through a variety of online discussion forums.
The course will finish with an online assessment.

The online resource will open on 29th May 2023 with the first session becomes available on 5th June 2023.

Find out more and register here

ECC and Anaesthesia

The BSAVA Vet Nurse Merit Award in ECC and Anaesthesia will develop your skills and knowledge in ECC and anaesthesia, ranging from triage and shock, to anaesthesia in cardiac patients and head trauma.

The programme consists of:

10 online sessions including webinars which will be recorded so you can listen at your leisure
An online resource which will encourage support in your learning through online activities including a discussion forum
A practical attendance course will give you chance to meet the colleagues who have been studying at the same time as you and to get your hands on experience in practical sessions covering feeding tubes, drains, vascular access techniques and CPR.
30 hours CPD

The course will finish with an online assessment

The online resource will open on 1st May 2023 before the first session becomes available on 8th May 2023

Find out more and register here.

Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy

The BSAVA Vet Nurse Merit Award in Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy is designed to provide a basic introduction into the discipline of canine rehabilitation through a mixture of lectures and hands on practice. It is designed to provide a brief review of canine musculoskeletal anatomy focusing on anatomical land-marks and forelimb flexors and extensors as well as they key muscles of the trunk and neck. This section is essential to allow the candidate to develop a degree of proficiency in palpation and examination of the rehabilitation patient. It also covers the basics of gait analysis. The course will cover hot and cold therapy, manual therapy and exercise based rehabilitation, as well as the use of the use of electrotherapies and hydrotherapy. The programme consists of:

3 days of practical attendance courses

An online resource which will encourage support in your learning through online activities including a discussion forum
The course will finish with an online assessment
30 hours CPD

The online resource will open on 27th March 2023 before the first attendance sessions on Friday 14th & Saturday 15th April 2023

The third practical attendance day will take place on Saturday 20th May 2023

Find out more and register here.

Behaviour

The Vet Nurse Merit Award in Behaviour is our first fully online VNMA, worth 50 CPD hours. The award gives delegates an introduction to companion animal behaviour and will cover behaviour concepts and requirements of cats, dogs and a variety of exotic species. By the end of the course, you will be able to recognise the common abnormal behaviours in pets and will learn how to address them, resulting in improved patient outcome and effecting positive changes to human – animal interactions.

The programme consists of

12 online units containing recorded webinars, supporting notes and online tasks
A new unit released every two – three weeks to keep your learning moving forward but allowing flexibility
Online support with your tutors and colleagues through a variety of online discussion forums.
The course will finish with an online assessment.
50 hours CPD

The online resource will open on Monday 12th June 2023 before the first session becomes available on 19th June 2023

Find out more and register here.

Dermatology

The BSAVA Vet Nurse Merit Award in Dermatology will increase your knowledge in veterinary dermatology and provide practical training in diagnostic techniques giving you the confidence to take your new found skills back to your nurse clinics and practice. The programme consists of:

3 days of attendance courses (2 theory and 1 practical)
An online resource which will encourage support in your learning through online activities including a discussion forum
The course will finish with an online assessment
30 hours CPD

The next Award in Dermatology will be arranged for September 2023. Please register your interest at: courses@bsava.com

FAQ's

What is the criteria for enrolment?

You must be a qualified veterinary nurse. Due to the nature of the final case study, it is preferable for you to be working in practice. However, if you are not in practice but still wish to enrol, please contact us.

Are the VN Merit Awards accredited by a professional examining body?

This course is not formally accredited; rather it provides high-quality CPD that will enhance your theoretical and practical understanding of a subject area. If you complete the course successfully, you will receive a certificate and a badge.

Is the practical course compulsory?

If a practical is included in the programme, then yes you are expected to attend.

Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy VNMA

“It’s a really great course I learnt a lot and it has really helped grow my confidence in the area and I have built quite a client base who come in regularly for physio and rehab, we have even had a few dogs avoid needing surgery. The practice has even invested in new equipment. It’s definitely worth it!”

– Josie Lees RVN

Dermatology VNMA

“I would say do not hesitate to enrol. I have been in practice for 17 years and this is the best course I have ever undertaken. The days were well structured, the tutors excellent and the learning materials invaluable.

This course provides candidates with the tools to practically increase their skill set and bring so much more to their clients and practice. It has furthered my career in ways no other course has managed.”

– Jody Barry BSc (Hons) RVN