Advanced veterinary nursing certificates: What are the benefits of further qualifications for RVNs?
As a veterinary nurse, the range of certificates available can feel like a bit of a minefield. Whether you’ve got a veterinary nursing certificate or you’re just starting to explore the world of further qualifications, you might be asking yourself about the benefits of an advanced veterinary nursing certificate. In this article, we’ll go over the differences between the two types of veterinary nurse certificate programmes we offer – the teaching for the ISVPS Nurse Certificate and the ISVPS Nurse Advanced Certificate – and the benefits, so you can decide whether further study is for you.
Nurse Certificate vs Nurse Advanced Certificate – what’s the difference?
At Improve Veterinary Education, we offer programmes which enable you to work towards two post-training (or postgraduate) qualifications for veterinary nurses.
The first is the Nurse Certificate (NCert) from the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS). This internationally respected qualification shows that a veterinary nurse has attained a certain level of knowledge in a particular field.
The Nurse Advanced Certificate (NAdvCert) is also a peer-recognised qualification accredited by ISVPS, but it’s more in-depth than the NCert, focussing on advanced nursing procedures. Nurses with this qualification are highly respected as some of the best in the country in their chosen fields.
Who is eligible for the advanced vet nurse programme?
One really common question we get is whether people are eligible for the advanced veterinary nursing certificate programme. Ideally, you will have an NCert (or equivalent qualification) in a related subject, but it isn’t the only route in. It’s possible to take the advanced certificate programme without previous post-graduate/post-training study as long as you have sufficient experience. The only formal requirement is that you’re registered with the RCVS/VCI.
So how can you tell if you’re ready? Well, we strongly recommend that if nurses have not completed a nurse certificate programme in a related field, that they have at least five years working in practice in their chosen discipline. For example, a nurse who has had two years in general practice before moving to emergency practice and spending five years in that environment might be ready to take the Advanced Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing programme. Similarly, a nurse who has spent five or more years working in prep and surgery of a referral practice may want to tackle the Advanced Certificate in Surgical Nursing programme. A vet nurse who has been working in general practice for five years but has been undertaking a wide range of tasks may be more comfortable with achieving a Nurse Certificate before undertaking the Advanced Nurse Certificate programme.
We are always happy to advise veterinary nurses and help them find the qualification at the right level for them. If you aren’t sure if you’re ready for an advanced nurse programme, our CPD advisors will be able to help. You can get in touch with them by booking a callback or contacting us.
4 benefits of the advanced veterinary nursing certificate programmes
You’ll stand out from the masses with a highly regarded qualification
Getting a veterinary nurse certificate is a huge achievement and many nurses are happy with their new postnominals. But for those who want to stand out above the rest, getting an advanced veterinary nursing certificate is even better. The intakes for the advanced certificates are small, which means far fewer nurses hold the qualification. If you want to stand out from the crowd, increase your employability, and make your career work for you, an advanced veterinary nurse certificate is the way to do it.
You’ll cover new knowledge and study things in greater depth
Even if you’ve already achieved the ISVPS NCert in a subject, it’s worth taking a Nurse Advanced Certificate programme. All of our advanced nursing certificate programmes build on knowledge gained in the nurse certificate programme as well as covering new topics. For example, in the teaching for the Nurse Certificate in Surgical Nursing, delegates cover the pathophysiology and treatment of a common surgical conditions of the gastrointestinal tract in the soft tissue surgery module. In the Nurse Advanced Certificate in Surgical Nursing programme, delegates cover pre-operative assessment, intra-operative care and post-operative nursing of more complex soft tissue surgeries, like portosystemic shunts, sepsis, and exploratory laparotomies. While some of these will be covered in the nurse certificate programme, they’ll be explored in greater detail in the advanced programme, and nurses also learn advanced techniques like placing jugular catheters and the management of analgesic catheters.
You’ll network with other nurses in your area of interest
Although the advanced nurse certificate programmes are held online, there’s plenty of opportunities for networking through our forums and the live stream journal clubs. This networking is one of the things people like most about the programmes – because the cohorts are small, and all the nurses on the programme have a passion and interest in their area, you’ll make important connections that can support you through the programme and after.
You’ll learn important skills in critical thinking and reflection
One major difference between the vet nurse certificate programmes and the advanced veterinary nursing programmes is the way they’re taught. While speakers cover what delegates need to know in the taught modules, the advanced vet nurse certificate programmes also foster critical thinking and self-study through the live-streamed journal clubs. Instead of being taught a programme, you’re encouraged to join with like-minded individuals and learn together from the latest evidence, with the module tutors more as guides than teachers. The assessments are also more clinical and reflective, with the case log and the literature review forming important parts of the assessment for the advanced certificate.
Conclusion: Advanced veterinary nursing certificate programmes allow RVNs to shine
For RVNs who are really passionate about their subject, studying an advanced veterinary nursing certificate programme can deepen their clinical knowledge and teach new skills for lifelong learning. The result is a highly regarded qualification held by only a handful of veterinary nurses with a special bond. Most of the delegates on our advanced programmes have previously enjoyed a nurse certificate programme with us and want to continue their study, but we do also accept highly experienced veterinary nurses with no formal postgraduate/post-training qualifications. Why not browse our Advanced Nurse Programmes and find your next challenge?
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