B.Sc. in Veterinary Nursing Applicant information session 20th January 2016
Welcome to veterinary nursing at DkIT
Today’s presentation • Application routes • The ideal applicant • Common application weaknesses • How to address these
Diarmuid Cahill DkIT School Liaison Officer
Application routes • Leaving cert (20 places) • C3 (Hons) in biology or Ag science • CAO points, ~400 • FETAC level 5 animal care (5 places) • Lottery once you have eight distinctions • Mature applicants (5 places) • Apply via CAO then interview • You can apply via >1 route
The course • It’s a science degree • Goes (far!) beyond basic rote learning & recall • You must understand the information & be able to do something useful with it • Lectures are just a starting point for your own further study
Vet nursing experience • Spend time in practice observing what a registered veterinary nurse actually does • Be aware of the realities of the job • The veterinary industry is made up of hard working & dedicated professionals Vet Ireland survey 2014: the average vet spends 105 hours per week working and on call
Education • An interest in learning • The dedication to complete a course • Good basic writing & communication skills • Be willing to learn to think! • Be open to learning about a range of animal species (farm animals, pets, exotics & horses)
Key attributes • Personal responsibility • Practical skills • Writing skills • Maths skills • People skills • Physical fitness
Personal responsibility • We cannot teach you to be a veterinary nurse... • But we can help you to learn to be a veterinary nurse • Ultimately it’s up to you, nobody else can do it for you • You must take on this responsibility, no excuses!
Physical fitness • Nursing animals is a physically demanding job • On your feet constantly, lots of manual handling, it’s not 9-5. • Working when tired/cold/hungry/injured • You need to be able for this • Running, cycling, team sports, horse riding, swimming etc.
People skills • Good communication skills are absolutely vital in this career • Clients must feel they can trust you • Colleagues must feel you are a genuine team player • (Loving animals is not enough)
Practical skills • You need to be able to make your hands do what you want them to do • You also need to be observant • Gardening, sewing, cooking, playing sports, fixing things all help! • Can you wire a plug, sharpen a knife, change a tyre, replace a fuse, groom an animal?!
Writing skills • Vet nurses work as part of a professional animal care team • Accurate and detailed case notes are vital • Legal records • Patient discharge instructions, reports etc. • You must be able to write well
An Maths overdose will kill me.. • You must be competent in practical maths • Drug doses - give 1.1mg/kg of a 50mg/ml solution to a 12kg dog • Disinfectant dilutions - make up a 1:200 solution • Lab test results - how many dl in a l?
Do not apply for this course if: • You think it will be a nice easy job with lots of cute animals to play with • You hate studying and want to work outside/ with your hands all the time • You don’t like working with people • You want to be a vet
“Success implies endeavour” You must be prepared to work hard!
Common mature application weaknesses
You need experience of what a vet nurse actually does
Incomplete/late applications • Get completed applications in to the CAO before Feb 1st • Ensure you have included ALL requested documentation, including academic results and references • Course is VERY popular so late applications have not been considered to date
Lack of references • A FETAC work placement report from a veterinary practice is not a reference • A reference must be written by a practice member specifically for the purpose of applying to the course NEVER falsify references!
Inform yourself • Use your initiative to research the job & the course www.ivna.ie
Commitment to learning • “Sure the course will be no bother, I love animals” • Have you really considered the realities of going back to college? • What have you done to prepare yourself?
Interviews • Informal but look smart and be on time! • If you plan not to attend please let us know • Why do you want to be a vet nurse? • How prepared are you? • Are you informed about the course & career? • Realistic enthusiasm
Competition • In 2015 we received 108 applications for 5 mature applicant places • Short listing and interview of 12-15 candidates • The process starts from scratch every year (like a job interview)
Advice for applicants (the take home message)
Do your research • Spend as much time as possible in practice, ideally with RVNs • Inform yourself about the course • Inform yourself about the profession • Ensure your application is complete & accurate • Get experience with a range of animal species
The best of luck!
Thank you for your attention Any questions?
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