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Nurses Course

Advanced Certificate Anaesthesia Nursing

ISVPS (NAdvCert)

8 Modules
Online
Advanced Certificate in Anaesthesia Nursing
Price From £2,479.00 + VAT

Advance Your Expertise with Comprehensive Training in Veterinary Anaesthesia 

The Advanced Anaesthesia Certificate programme is designed for veterinary nurses and paraprofessionals ready to deepen their expertise in advanced anaesthesia. Built around real-life challenges and the latest clinical knowledge, the course blends problem-solving, evidence-based learning, and collaborative mentoring to equip you with the skills needed for safer, more effective anaesthetic management.

Through interactive online modules and monthly mentoring sessions, you'll join a community of anaesthesia professionals, gaining the confidence and competence to handle complex cases and optimise patient outcomes.

What you’ll learn:

  • Advanced respiratory management – including ventilation strategies, spirometry, and blood gas analysis, with practical guidance on selecting and setting IPPV.

  • Anaesthesia’s impact on patient outcomes – explore the links between anaesthesia protocols and surgical site infections, environmental factors, and oncology considerations.

  • Non-technical skills and ethics – master informed consent, risk communication, record-keeping, and ethical decision-making in anaesthesia practice.

  • Managing high-risk patients – tackle anaesthetic challenges in obese patients, cardiovascular conditions, and complex cases.

  • Preventing complications – understand risks like corneal damage, neuromuscular blockade, and the oculocardiac reflex, while applying AAHA anaesthesia guidelines effectively.

 

Understanding pre-requisites 

Although no pre-requisite is required to join the Nurse Advanced Certificate and achieve its associated ISVPS qualification, it is strongly recommended that delegates considering enrolling in the programme: 

  • Have previously achieved an ISVPS NCert in Anaesthesia Nursing (or its academic equivalent) *, or 

  •  Have 5+ year's experience in general practice as a Veterinary Nurse. So that you are confident in your knowledge of common surgical procedures and have an appreciation of resource material from where further research can be undertaken into more unusual conditions and/or situations. An understanding of normal anatomy and physiology, and how these impact on the pathogenesis and surgical treatment of various conditions will be expected. 

Mentoring


The course fosters connections within the veterinary anaesthesia community. This networking opportunity can lead to the exchange of ideas, experiences, and valuable professional relationships. (Please note that a key component of the programme is the aim to build connections within the veterinary anaesthesia community through bi-monthly mentoring sessions. Delegates must identify a mentor with advanced anaesthesia training. This mentor may be based within the delegate’s practice, part of a corporate group, or hold a recognised qualification such as the Advanced Anaesthesia or Masters in Anaesthesia certification. Should you require any further information or assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Secure your place

Hear what our delegates have to say

Don’t just take our word for it - our delegate feedback speaks for itself.

Garrick Ponte

Garrick Ponte

BVSc GPCert(SAM) MRCVS

The teaching at Improve is excellent and I have been able to take what I have learnt back to use in practice. It’s not just the lectures themselves but the practical work we did straight afterwards which drives home everything, which is why Impro … Read more

Colin Dickson

Colin Dickson

BVMS CertAVP MRCVS

Having previously completed a postgraduate surgery certificate with another provider, I was confident in my knowledge and understanding of the theory but felt underprepared from a practical perspective. I was initially hesitant to register for another … Read more

Key features of this programme

Comprehensive 100% online training
One year RCVS Knowledge Library access
Discussion forum
Recognised Course Director
Dedicated Programme Coordinator
Accredited CPD

Programme details

Module Summary

4 Online sessions
01 - Emergent populations and current guidelines
E-learning
July 2026
Online

Module 1: Emergent populations and current guidelines 

  • Anaesthetising the brachycephalic animal
  • Anaesthetising the obese animal
  • Anaesthesia for ophthalmology
  • Anaesthesia for interventional cardiology cases
  • Current American Animal Hospital guidelines on anaesthesia of dogs and cats
  • Calculations in fluid therapy and analgesia

Key Learning Objectives: 

At the end of this module delegates should be able to:

  •  List the components of the brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)
  •  Outline the additional complicating factors of anaesthetising the BOAS patient and demonstrate ways of managing the anaesthetic
  • Consider the difficulties in anaesthetising the obese patient and outline techniques to overcome these difficulties
  • Describe the reasons why corneal damage may occur during anaesthesia
  • Compare and contrast the different techniques for creating a ‘central eye’
  •  Explain the concepts of neuro-muscular blockade
  •  Outline the physiological basis of the ‘oculo-cardiac reflex’ and what steps should be taken if it occurs.
  •  Describe the pathophysiology or patent ductus arteriosus, heart valve stenosis and bradyarrhythmias including 3rd degree AV block and sick sinus syndrome.
  • Outline the considerations for anaesthesia for correction of the conditions described in L.O. 2.8
  • Summarise the American Animal Hospital Association guidelines for anaesthesia of small animals.
  •  Perform the relevant calculations for fluid therapy plans and blood transfusions
  • Be able to calculate a continuous rate infusion from information given.
Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS
02 - Calculation Practice session (Live Stream)
Live Stream
25/08/2026
Online

Within this live stream session, delegates will have the opportunity to refresh and revisit all anaesthesia calculations.

Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS
03 - Patient safety and problem solving
E-learning
September 2026
Online

Module 2: Patient safety and problem solving 

  • Problem solving and non-technical skills
  • Ethics in veterinary anaesthesia
  • Getting anaesthetic consent
  • Anaesthesia checklists
  • The importance of records, including anaesthetic record
  • Managing anaesthetic complications
  • Inotropes and vasopressors
  • Key Learning Objectives:

    At the end of this module delegates should be able to:

    • Demonstrate an understanding of approaches to problem solving
    • Recognise appropriate non-technical skills behaviour in themselves and others
    • Discuss errors and approach to error prevention
    • Describe the principles of clinical audit and standard operating procedures
    • Discuss the ethical issues associated with veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia
    • Demonstrate an awareness of the ethics surrounding clinical practice, experimental practice and publications.
    • Formulate an approach to ethical problem solving
    • Recognise the key components of obtaining anaesthetic consent
    • Discuss how anaesthetic risk can be communicated to the owner
    • Explain the use of anaesthetic checklists and be able to implement them in clinical practice
    • Outline the benefits and limitations of anaesthetic checklists
    • Recognise the key components of record keeping
    • Outline the reasons for completion of the anaesthetic record
    • Compare the different methods of data completion in anaesthetic records
    • Predict and identify common complications in anaesthesia and recognise when to call for assistance.
    • Outline the basic pharmacology of positive inotropes and vasopressors and consider the situations in which they would be used
    Pamela Murison BVMS CertVA,DipECVAA,DVA,PhD MRCVS
    04 - Adv NAN: Journal Club 1 (Live Stream)
    Live Stream
    29/09/2026
    Online

    Delegates will be asked to contribute to two journal clubs in order to critically evaluate recent articles within the subject area. 

    Pamela Murison BVMS CertVA,DipECVAA,DVA,PhD MRCVS
    05 - Farther reaching consequences of our anaesthetic choices
    E-learning
    November 2026
    Online

    Module 3 Farther reaching consequences of our anaesthetic choices 

    • Impact of anaesthetic choices on surgical site infections
    • The environmental impact of our anaesthetic choices
    • Anaesthesia for the oncological patient
    • Local anaesthetic technique revision
    • Chronic pain

    Key Learning Objectives: 

    At the end of this module, delegates should be able to:

    •  Critically appraise the evidence relating to the association between anaesthetic choices and surgical site infections
    •  Describe the mechanisms by which propofol may contribute to surgical site infections
    •  List the action points that can improve the cleanliness of the use of anaesthetic drugs
    •  Describe the techniques used to quantify the environmental impact of different anaesthetic drugs and techniques
    •  Compare and contrast the environmental impact of different anaesthetic drugs and techniques
    •  Formulate a strategic plan to reduce the carbon footprint of your practice
    •  Recognise what aspects of oncology diagnostics or treatment will require sedation or general anaesthesia
    •  Outline the principles of different para-neoplastic syndromes
    •  Describe the more specific peri-anaesthetic considerations for radiotherapy
    •  Discuss the evidence for the impact anaesthetic choices may have on tumour metastasis
    • Outline the pharmacology of local anaesthetic drugs
    • Describe different local anaesthetic techniques including epidurals and justify the clinical cases in which they might be used.
    • Summarise the differences between chronic pain and acute pain
    • Identify the tools used to assess and monitor chronic pain
    • Outline the pharmacology of different drugs to treat chronic pain
    Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS
    06 - Adv NAN: Journal club 2 (Live Stream)
    Live Stream
    14/12/2026
    Online

    Delegates will be asked to contribute to two journal clubs in order to critically evaluate recent articles within the subject area.

    Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS
    07 - Advanced respiratory anaesthesia
    E-learning
    January 2027
    Online

    ​​​​​Module 4 Advanced respiratory anaesthesia 

    • Evaluating spontaneous ventilation
    • Spirometry
    • Positive pressure ventilation
    • Arterial blood gas analysis
    • Acid base balance

    Key Learning Objectives

    At the end of this module, delegates should be able to:

    • Outline the principles of spontaneous and intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV).
    • Describe the techniques used to evaluate ventilation
    • Define the different lung volumes and capacities
    • Outline the principles of spirometry
    • Identify the different shapes of flow-volume loops and the potential pathologies that they can indicate
    • Recognise appropriate candidates for IPPV and be able to set basic and more advanced ventilation settings
    • Outline the components of arterial blood gas analysers and describe how they work
    • Describe the techniques used for collecting blood gas samples
    • Identify the different basic abnormalities in acid base balance and list potential causes
    • Describe potential treatments to correct abnormalities in acid-base balance
    • Calculate different indices to evaluate oxygenation
    • Recognise and identify abnormal electrocardiogram traces
    Pamela Murison BVMS CertVA,DipECVAA,DVA,PhD MRCVS
    08 - Interpretation of abnormal ECG's (Live Stream)
    Live Stream
    26/01/2027
    Online

    At the end of this live session, delegate should be confident in interpreting & explaining normal and abnormal ECG traces.

    Pamela Murison BVMS CertVA,DipECVAA,DVA,PhD MRCVS

    Qualifications

    (NAdvCert)

    This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a

    If you wish to obtain the Advanced award qualification will need to complete all four online interactive modules which are made available every other month and attend webinar/ journal club sessions online.  

    Within every two-month block, you will be required to complete an assignment or a practice-based task. These will form part of the formative assessment and must be completed in order to complete the associated module. 

    Please note there will be a minimum mandatory requirement to attend at least one journal club and one webinar event however it is strongly recommended to attend all four live events to maximise learning.  

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    Approved by RACE for 144 CE CE credits

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    Advanced Veterinary Nurse Certificates

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