Nurses Course
Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
ISVPS Nurse/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate (NCert/VPPCert)
Register Interest- Overview
- Modules
- Optional Modules
- Pricing
- Entry Requirements
- FAQs
Sep 2025 - May 2026
Emergency cases can be some of the most challenging and rewarding patients to deal with in practice
The Emergency and Critical Care Nurse Certificate (NCert) and Veterinary Paraprofessional (VPPCert) Online Learning Programme will increase your knowledge and confidence, enabling you to act swiftly and calmly, resulting in a positive impact on the clinical outcome of your emergency patients.
The programme is designed to expand the emergency and critical care nursing knowledge and skills, improving your confidence in this area and appropriate for general practice and referral nurses. The emphasis will be on understanding the fundamental principles of nursing patients that present as emergencies and how best to nurse them to optimise their care and welfare. The course will cover a range of topics, and each module will focus on particular areas of emergency and critical care. The aim is to confidently apply the knowledge you have learnt, promote best practices, and positively engage in emergencies, ensuring your patients receive the highest quality care.
At the end of the programme, you can also attend one optional practical day led by one of the course authors. For those completing the full programme, this optional attendance day will be at an exclusive price. Please also contact us for details about our Save a Life Today: CPR in association with RECOVER (Interprofessional) short courses, which will be a beneficial addition to your emergency and critical care skills in practice.
Try a taster lesson on our Explore site
ExploreSee our pricing tab for Early Bird discounts and payment plan options
Key features of this programme
9 varied modules
Covering key nursing topics in emergency and critical care
Course Director
Ludivine Boiron DVM MSc MRCVS DACVECC
Support and guidance from a Module Tutor who is a specialist in Emergency and Critical Care
The specialist in the subject area will provide online support during each module and will be available to answer all your questions
Multiple learning processes
Presentations, written notes, interactive quizzes, multiple choice question writing and exercises which test your knowledge as you work
Discussion forum
A discussion forum for conversation, debate and sharing cases with your peers and Module Tutors
Interactive and engaging modules
Which allow you to absorb the learning materials in an online environment
RCVS Library Access
The RCVS Knowledge library includes access to a wealth of electronic resources including the latest journals and clinical research
100% online
Giving you access 24/7 wherever you are
Four sessions per month
Each module includes a total of 9 lessons, 2 reflective studies, course notes and weekly summary videos
Regular assessments
Pre-module and post-module assessments encourage you to reflect on your learning and evaluate your progress
Dedicated Programme Coordinator
A dedicated Programme Coordinator who will support you every step of the way
Know-How
Join the global veterinary online learning CPD specialists and benefit from our know-how and high-quality resources
Accredited CPD
The NCert and VPPCert is awarded by our global qualifications provider ISVPS
Programme Details
Module Summary
- Triage, Monitoring & Stabilisation
- Fluid Therapy in the Emergency Patient
- Surgical emergency procedures
- Analgesia and Anaesthesia
- Emergency and Critical Care in Exotic patients
- Diagnostic Imaging and the Trauma Patient
- Medical emergencies
- Nursing the critical patient
- CPR and Key practical skills
Please note the module order may be subject to change
Speakers
Venue: Online
Date: Sep 2025 - May 2026
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
Get in touch
Accredited by
100% Satisfaction
We’re completely confident in the quality of our training and CPD. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your certificate course we’ll give you a 100% refund.
Find out more01 - Triage, Monitoring & Stabilisation
Key Learning Objectives
- Describe the triage process and explain how it benefits your patients.
- Classify the principles and practical aspects of critical patient monitoring.
- Define the perfusion parameters and explain how these can be used to identify hypoperfusion and to monitor a patient’s response to treatment.
- Implement the various mechanisms to assess perfusion and monitoring of clinical parameters, and be able to interpret their readings, including ECG abnormalities.
- Recognise dypnoeic patients and assess them for their degree of respiratory impairment.
- Discuss the causes of respiratory disease and state the various oxygen supplementation techniques.
- Discuss the collection of arterial and venous blood samples for blood gas analysis and be able to explain their importance.
02 - Fluid Therapy in the Emergency Patient
Key Learning Objectives
- Define the difference between hypovolaemia and dehydration and how they are treated using fluid therapy.
- Recognise the importance of electrolytes and their role in homeostasis.
- Describe the different types of intravenous fluids including crystalloids, colloids, and blood products.
- Recognise the different types of shock: hypovolaemic, maldistributed, septic, cardiogenic.
- Solve administration calculations for the correct administration: Constant Rate Infusions (CRI’s), Crystalloids, Colloids, and Blood products.
- Describe the importance of how blood transfusions should be safely administered and describe the contraindications of blood transfusions, and their associated adverse reactions.
03 - Surgical emergency procedures
Key Learning Objectives
- Describe the correct preparation of the emergency patient for surgery.
- Explain the importance of correct asepsis with preparing patients for Surgery.
- Describe the pathophysiology behind gastric dilatation and volvulus, the emergency and surgical treatment options.
- Explain the term septic peritonitis and haemoabdomen, the potential causes and surgical treatment options, discussing the nursing care of these patients.
- Discuss the common important clinical signs associated with reproductive and pediatric/neonatal emergencies to include the pre-, intra-, and post-operative cesarean patient.
- Describe the common ophthalmological emergencies, treatment, and nursing care.
04 - Analgesia and Anaesthesia
Key Learning Objectives
- Identify common complications which can arise related to anaesthesia outcomes.
- Describe anaesthesia of patients with respiratory disease.
- Discuss the pathophysiology behind various cardiac diseases and how we may modify anaesthesia protocols for the cardiac patient.
- Define the range of analgesics available, including opioids, NSAIDs, and local anaesthetics.
- Recognise pain in companion animals and gain confidence in the use of veterinary pain scoring systems.
05 - Emergency and Critical Care in Exotic patients
Key Learning Objectives
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Develop triage approaches in rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and small mammals.
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Apply triage approaches to less familiar species: retiles and avian patients.
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Recognise the anaesthesia & analgesia considerations in the emergency small animal patient.
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Recognise the anaesthesia & analgesia considerations in the emergency reptile and bird patient.
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Establish critical care techniques and nursing for the avian, reptilian and small mammal emergency patient.
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Identify common emergency conditions of rabbits, ferrets and small mammals.
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Identify common emergency conditions of the reptilian and avian patient.
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Develop an approach to diagnosis and treatment of common toxins in the avian patient.
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Review CPR in exotic patients.
06 - Diagnostic Imaging and the Trauma Patient
Key Learning Objectives
- State the priorities for stabilising and treating traumatic wounds and fractures on initial presentation and be able to implement effective assessment, lavage and debridement of wounds.
- Explain the principles and practical aspects of the latest advanced wound dressings.
- Identify how urinary trauma presents, and how patients are stabilised prior to surgery.
- Describe the pathophysiology of head trauma and nursing requirements demonstrating use of the small animal coma scoring scale.
- Identify how to deal with thoracic trauma patients and prioritise their treatment.
- Understand the principles of ultrasound imaging and be familiar with how to set up and maintain the ultrasound machine and probes.
- Employ the principles of POCUS scanning to triage emergency cases and identify specific equipment and materials required for ultrasound-guided procedures.
- Explain the different radiographic techniques available, their pros and cons, and their uses in specific situations.
- Evaluate radiographic image quality to ensure diagnostic radiographs are available for interpretation, demonstrating basic film reading, and be able to identify radiographic artefacts and faults.
07 - Medical emergencies
Key Learning Objectives
- Describe the measures of caring/treating for a patient presenting with cardiac disease.
- Classify the treatment of acute renal failure and the underlying causes of pre, renal and post-renal failure.
- State the pathophysiology of endocrine and metabolic emergencies, including hypoadrenocorticism.
- Discuss common poisons seen in companion animals list antidotes and treatments.
- State the common acute medical gastrointestinal emergencies and discuss their treatment and management.
- Describe the pathpathology of a ‘blocked cat’ and the available treatment options including the associated nursing care.
- Classify laboratory sampling techniques, processing, storage, and data recording. Apply knowledge to using the microscope to examine blood smears, urinary sediment, and basic cytology.
- Classify the most common neurological emergencies and their initial treatment.
- State the most common hematological abnormalities and their treatment.
- Discuss the treatment and nursing considerations of a patient with pancreatitis.
08 - Nursing the critical patient
Key Learning Objectives
- Classify the requirements and management of recumbent patients.
- State the nutritional requirements of trauma and critical care patients.
- Explain the different techniques for administering enteral nutrition to patients including:
• Nasogastric tubes
• Oesophagostomy tubes
• Gastrostomy tube
- Identify and explain the use of Total parenteral and Partial parenteral Nutrition is used.
- Explain how to manage a variety of catheters and drains in an aseptic manner including urinary catheters, thoracic drains, and tracheostomy tubes.
- Perfect your knowledge of the importance of maintaining effective infection control protocols when dealing with critical patients in order to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
09 - CPR and Key practical skills
Key Learning Objectives
- Discuss the new approach to veterinary CPR and implement effective CPR within a team.
- Demonstrate correct suturing techniques relevant to emergency patients including tracheostomy tube placement and thoracic drain placement.
- Describe and demonstrate the techniques for administering/supplementing oxygen, including placement of nasal oxygen cannulas and transtracheal oxygen administration.
- Interpret and explain the correct placement of various feeding tubes, including nasogastric and oesophagostomy tubes.
- Discuss the role of the veterinary nurse and end-of-life care of a patient.
Venue: Online
Date: Sep 2025 - May 2026
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
Get in touch
Accredited by
100% Satisfaction
We’re completely confident in the quality of our training and CPD. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your certificate course we’ll give you a 100% refund.
Find out moreThe goal of the Optional Practical Day is to provide the attendee with the opportunity to practice Emergency and Critical Care Practical techniques and to familiarise with the most common ECC equipment and techniques. The structure of the day will mirror module 9: CPR and Key Practical Skills, and give delegates the opportunity to practice these procedures in a combination of wet and dry lab settings, under the guidance of module tutor Elle Haskey RVN BSc(hons) PGCertVetEd FHEA VTS(ECC) VPAC A1.
01 - Nurses ECC Online-Optional Practical Day
Key Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the new approach to veterinary CPR and implement effective CPR within a team-practical (dry lab).
- Demonstrate correct suturing techniques relevant to emergency patients including tracheostomy tube placement and thoracic drain placement – wet lab (cadavers)
- Describe and demonstrate the techniques for administering/supplementing oxygen, e.g. placement of nasal oxygen cannulas, transtracheal oxygen administration – wet lab (cadavers)
- Interpret and explain the correct placement of various feeding tubes, e.g., nasogastric, oesophagostomy tubes – wet lab (cadavers)
- Discuss the role of the veterinary nurse and the end-of-life care of a patient.
Venue: Online
Date: Sep 2025 - May 2026
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
Get in touch
Accredited by
100% Satisfaction
We’re completely confident in the quality of our training and CPD. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your certificate course we’ll give you a 100% refund.
Find out moreAvailable Plans
Early
Regular
If course start date is < 15 days then no cancellation is allowed.
Pricing Billing
Emergency and Critical Care Nursing Early price
Payment Option | First Payment | Second Payment(s) | Total Payment |
---|---|---|---|
Payment In Full - Early Bird Price (60 days) (with ISVPS Exam) | £3,489.00 | - | £3,489.00 |
Deposit and Remaining Balance - Early Bird Price (60 days) (with ISVPS Exam) | £399.00 | £3,090.00 | £3,489.00 |
Monthly Payments - Early Bird Price (60 days) (with ISVPS Exam) | £399.00 | £430.00 x 8 (monthly) | £3,839.00 |
Optional Nurses Emergency and Critical Care Practical Online Learning Modules Regular price
Payment Option | First Payment | Second Payment(s) | Total Payment |
---|---|---|---|
Optional Practical Day | £469.00 | - | £469.00 |
The fees include ALL registration and exam fees to achieve a NCert/VPPCert from ISVPS.
Payment Terms & Conditions
1. Payments can be made by BACS, credit card or Direct Debit.
2. Direct Debit plans are administered and collected on our behalf by GoCardless Limited.
3. In certain circumstances, multiple booking and corporate discounts are available, please contact us on 01793 759159 for further information.
4. In order to confirm your place, we must receive payment in full or the relevant initial payment.
5. In addition, if paying by Direct Debit, we must receive the completed mandate prior to course commencement.
6. Please also see our full terms and conditions on our website – Terms and Conditions.
Registration Information
1. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first served basis, subject to eligibility.
2. Where all available places are full, applicants will be offered first refusal for the next available date.
3. Improve International reserves the right to close the intake early if the number of applications received exceeds the number of available places.
4. Confirmation and enrolment details will then be sent to applicants once we have received a completed application form.
Venue: Online
Date: Sep 2025 - May 2026
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
Get in touch
Accredited by
100% Satisfaction
We’re completely confident in the quality of our training and CPD. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your certificate course we’ll give you a 100% refund.
Find out moreExtend your knowledge, skills and work towards an achievable qualification
Our online learning NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programmes offer you structured learning and enable you to access training whilst working around your busy practice life. You can choose to gain new knowledge and skills to take back to practice or you can work towards an achievable qualification. You will be required to indicate at the time of booking which certificate you think you are eligible for.
NCert/ VTCert: Requirements for Certificate registration
The following may be eligible to enrol on to the programme:
- Qualified RVNs/VNs who have attended formal training and have a qualification in veterinary nursing which can be supported with a certificate or their RCVS or Veterinary Council of Ireland number. RVCS/VOI number or qualification certificate to be uploaded at registration
- Veterinary technicians who have attended formal training and have a Veterinary Technicians qualification which can be supported with a certificate. Certificate to be uploaded at registration
- All applicants must be working in a veterinary practice or be able to have access to a veterinary practice in order to be able to complete the written assessment (for example, you may need to ensure that this applies if you are a qualified veterinary nurse or technician working in the veterinary industry)
- Delegates can start the programme as soon as they have graduated/qualified and will be eligible for examination and assessment on completion of the programme
- In order to register for the certificate assessments, all delegates must have completed all modules of the programme
- Examination candidates must complete and pass the below:
- Written assessment
- 25 MCQ exam
- An Online applied knowledge examination (this is an applied theory interactive examination, which is taken online and is not a demonstration of skill competency)
- Successful candidates will receive a printed certificate, be included on ISVPS register of NCert/VTCert holders and be permitted to use the post-nominals associated with the certificate.
VPPCert: registration requirements
The following may be eligible to enrol on to the programme:
- Veterinary Nurses who have not attended formal training and therefore do not have a supporting certificate but have been working in practice in a Veterinary Nurse/Technician role for at least 2 years prior to the programme start date
- All delegates must be working in veterinary practice/clinical setting for the duration of the programme and certificate completion (in order to be able to complete the written assessment)
- All 3 of the eligibility documents below to be uploaded:
- A recent CV*(this should demonstrate that you have been working within a veterinary practice for at least 2 years prior to the programme start date)
- a signed letter from your employer stating that you are working in a veterinary practice in a nursing/technician role*
- a self-statement letter explaining your nursing experience and the relevance of taking the programme to your career*
Applicants who are not formally trained Veterinary Nurses/Technicians, such as laboratory research assistants, may apply but must provide all three of the supporting documents listed above.*
- In order to register for the certificate assessments, all delegates must have completed all modules of the training programme
- Examination candidates must complete and pass the following:
- Written assessment
- 25 MCQ exam
- An Online applied knowledge examination (this is an applied theory interactive examination, which is taken online and is not a demonstration of skill competency)
- Successful candidates will receive a printed certificate, be included on ISVPS register of VPP certificate holders and be permitted to use the post-nominals associated with the certificate
*Please note that all eligibility is reviewed and cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that all written assessments and examinations are to be completed in English
Venue: Online
Date: Sep 2025 - May 2026
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
Get in touch
Accredited by
100% Satisfaction
We’re completely confident in the quality of our training and CPD. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your certificate course we’ll give you a 100% refund.
Find out moreFrequently Asked Questions
Veterinary Nurse Certificates
What’s not included in the programme fee? Do I need to budget for any other costs?
The veterinary nurse certificate programme fee does not include:
- Travel and accommodation costs (if needed for your course)
- Assessment fees or exam fees after the first attempt
- Missed module fees if you haven’t notified us in writing more than 14 days before the module date
- Access to further textbooks, libraries, and journals of your choice.
What does the programme fee for the vet nurse certificate include?
The vet nurse certificate programme fee includes:
- Learning materials
- Access to the online learning platform
- Registration with ISVPS and exam fee (first attempt only)
- Access to a programme coordinator
- Refreshments and lunch during face-to-face and practical sessions
How long does it take to study a veterinary nurse certificate programme?
The length of the training programme for the veterinary nurse certificates varies depending on the subject. Start and end dates can be found in the course information for each subject. Planned module dates (subject to change) are visible in the ‘modules’ tab. The assessments are then held after the training programme is complete. Most delegates complete their veterinary nurse certificate programme within a 12–18-month time period (depending on course start and assessment dates).
How will studying a veterinary nurse certificate programme benefit me and my practice?
Taking a veterinary nurse certificate can have significant benefits for the nurse and their practice as a whole. While these can vary depending on a nurse’s position, the practice environment, and the subject area they study, nurses with certificates generally:
- Acquire new skills, enabling them to manage cases with confidence
- Gain respect from colleagues and the public, contributing to higher job satisfaction and easier salary conversations with current and future employers
- Develop valuable study skills that support further post-qualification studies and enhance professional development
Further qualifications like veterinary nurse certificates don’t just benefit the individual – the practice usually sees a benefit too, which is why many practices provide funding and time off to allow nurses to complete certificates. Practices may see:
- Improved patient outcomes due to the candidate’s enhanced nursing skills, and the spreading of those skills through the team
- Increased client satisfaction from improved in-house nursing capabilities, which may be the difference between referral and in-house care
- Better staff retention and easier recruitment resulting from higher job satisfaction and clearly demonstrated support for professional development
- In some cases, a veterinary nurse certificate will equip a delegate with the knowledge and skills to run clinics or offer services that were previously unavailable, such as nutrition consultations or physiotherapy services. This can provide a new revenue stream for practices.
What are the assessments for the NCert/VPPCert?
Veterinary nurses will need to successfully complete the following assessments in order to be awarded the veterinary nurse certificate (or paraprofessional certificate, if this applies):
- A written assignment (usually a case report, pass mark 50%) linked to their chosen field of study
- An online 60-minute Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) exam, for which the pass mark is standardised.
- A 90-minute Online Applied Knowledge Examination (OAKE), which uses a variety of questions to assess the application of clinical knowledge, for which the pass mark is 60%
The assessments are organised and run by ISVPS and may vary slightly depending on the exact certificate you are taking. More information will be given in your MyImprove area once you have started the programme, but you can also contact us if you have questions.
Does the Nurse Certificate/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate award postnominals?
Delegates who successfully complete the Nurse Certificate (NCert) or Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate (VPPCert) assessments are awarded the certificate and are allowed to use the postnominals NCert or VPPCert followed by their abbreviated discipline in brackets. For example, nurses taking the Certificate in Anaesthesia will be allowed to use the postnominals NCert(AnaesthNsg) . The ISVPS NCert/VPPCert awards are not currently approved for inclusion in the RCVS register. They are internationally, peer recognised awards. Your postnominals can be displayed wherever you deem appropriate, except on the RCVS register.
What is a Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate (VPPCert)?
The Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate (VPPCert) is a certificate programme for people working as veterinary nurses but who have no formal training. There are strict eligibility criteria. Delegates do not have to be RVNs, but they do need to be working mainly in a nursing role in veterinary practice, for instance, animal care assistants and kennel assistants who have nursing duties.
What is a Nurse Certificate (NCert)?
A Nurse Certificate (NCert) is an internationally recognised qualification for veterinary nurses, accredited by ISVPS. It is awarded in a specific subject area or discipline, and is evidence of a veterinary nurse’s dedication to their chosen area of medicine. In studying a veterinary nurse certificate, nurses develop their skills and learn new techniques, enabling them to improve the care of their patients. Veterinary nurses with certificates are highly employable, and the ISVPS Nurse Certificate is highly regarded by peers and employers all over the world.
How long do I have to complete a veterinary nurse certificate?
We recommend taking each module in order and taking the assessments on the first attempt. If this is not possible you have 3 years to attend the 75% of the taught modules required to be exam-eligible and a further 4 years to pass the ISVPS assessments. This means that if a module needs to be missed due to unforeseen circumstances, or you need more time to prepare for the assessments, your course can be flexible. If you are worried about missing multiple modules or needing longer to complete your veterinary nursing certificate, we recommend contacting our friendly team for help and advice.
Who is eligible for the veterinary nurse certificate programmes?
What qualifications are needed for the nurse certificate programme if coming from other countries?
Proof of qualifications as awarded in the country of origin will be required prior to enrolment on the programme. These are required by ISVPS for exam registration. Please do contact us to discuss your eligibility for further information.
Please note that you may require a visa to attend a face-to-face programme. Guidance on this can be obtained from your local embassy. Delegates should ensure they are able to attend all sessions prior to booking. Please note that the Student Tier 4 Visa is not applicable to Improve Veterinary Education delegates as a result of us being a private education provider. We do not provide support with obtaining visas but can provide supporting documentation to support your application if requested.
Practical Sessions
Where are practical CPD courses or face-to-face modules held?
We have two main venues for our practical modules and CPD courses:
Courses and sessions marked as ‘Swindon’ will be held in our Clinical Excellence Centre, which can be found on the Ground Floor, Delta 1200, Delta Business Park, Welton Road, Swindon, SN5 7XZ.
Courses and sessions marked as ‘Sheffield’ will be held at Benchmark House, 8 Smithy Wood Drive, Chapeltown, Sheffield S35 1QN.
Find out more about our venues and facilities.
What will the timings be for face-to-face certificate modules and practical CPD sessions? How will my day be structured?
Start times vary between 09:00 and 09:30, depending on the course you are attending. Please refer to communications from your Programme Coordinator or Practical Course Coordinator, or check the online learning platform for details. UK venues open at 08:30 to give you plenty of time to get settled in.
You will have a short morning and afternoon break to get refreshments and an hour-long lunch break.
Where do the cadavers come from for the practical CPD and surgical modules/courses?
Improve Veterinary Education established the Pet Gifting scheme several years ago, which allows local veterinary practices to offer clients the option to donate their pet to us at time of euthanasia. Please contact us or speak to a member of the team at the venue if you would like more information.
What should I wear to a practical CPD course/module?
Practical surgical sessions, held in the wet labs, will have PPE provided (surgical gowns). You may chose to bring scrubs, if you wish. For modules/courses involving live dogs (including ultrasound and physiotherapy courses), we recommend bringing a scrub top. No open-toed shoes are to be worn for practical modules.
I will be travelling from overseas, do I need a Visa?
Delegates attending face-to-face or practical CPD from overseas may require a Visa in order to participate in sessions. Please seek advice from your local embassy in relation to exact requirements. Improve Veterinary Education (IVE) does not provide support in obtaining Visas, but we can supply documentation to support your application. Please also note that a Student Tier 4 Visa is not applicable because IVE is a private education provider.
Will the dogs used for practical CPD courses be sedated?
No, we do not sedate dogs used in practical CPD courses, including ultrasound scanning courses. The dogs we use are chosen for their relaxed and compliant temperament and if they show signs of distress, they are removed and allowed to settle.
Will the dogs used for scanning have any abnormalities?
The dogs we use are clinically fit and healthy. We are not able to source animals with specific problems and we feel that would be unethical. Learning to accurately scan and assess normal physiology is the best approach when teaching ultrasonography.
Are the dogs used for ultrasound CPD clipped?
We are very grateful to the owners of dogs who allow their dogs to be used for our ultrasound CPD. We always ask the owners whether their dog can be clipped and make them aware of the benefit to our vets and nurses of having a clipped patient. However, clipping is sometimes denied, especially if the dog has previously had clipper rash, as many of our ultrasound scanning dogs are return patients. We find enabling the ultrasound gel to soak in by applying in advance allows non-clipped dogs to be used.
Are cats used for any of the ultrasound courses?
We do not provide cats for any practical ultrasound courses or modules, due to the stress this would cause to the animal through transportation and restraint. As it is not clinically necessary to scan the cat, it would not be ethical to use them for learning purposes.
Payments & Finance
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept payments by credit card/debit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and bank transfer (BACS).
Do you offer any flexible payment plans?
It is not possible to set up a payment plan for short or practical CPD courses. However, vet and vet nurse/paraprofessional certificate programmes have payment plans available, allowing you to pay a deposit for enrolment and then monthly instalments. Details about the amount and number of instalments can be found in the pricing tab for each programme on our website.
What payment methods can I use for setting up a direct debit?
Not all payment methods can be used for direct debit due to their technical characteristics. For direct debit you can use a debit card, a credit card, or your bank account number.
Do you issue separate invoices for each instalment?
Before starting to pay instalments, you will receive an invoice detailing the remaining balance (e.g the remaining amount after deducting the deposit you’ve paid from the total cost of the enrolment).
Your instalment payments will be allocated against this invoice, which reduces the outstanding amount with each instalment you pay. There won’t be a separate invoice for each instalment.
Why was my Direct Debit payment not charged on the day that is established in my payment plan?
Depending on the payment method chosen for the Direct Debit the payment can take more days to be processed. For example, credit and debit card payments will be charged immediately and might appear on the same or the next day in your bank account statement. However, payments charged on your bank account (BACS/SEPA payments) might take up to 5 business days to be processed.
There might be other reasons for the payment not being processed. Here are the main reasons:
- Insufficient funds on the account
- Transaction is not authorised by the bank
- Card used for the payment has expired
- Card issuer suspected fraud and declined transaction
If the transaction has been declined by the bank, please contact them to discuss the problem, then try again to make the payment.
Why couldn’t I make payment during check-out?
- Bad internet connection.
- Amount you have tried to pay is much higher than your daily spending pattern so your bank didn´t authorise the transaction for safety reasons.
- You have exceeded the limit of the transactions per day.
- Missing Strong Customer Authentication.
- Insufficient funds on the account.
Where can I find the bank details for the bank/wire transfer?
If you wish to pay for your CPD course or certificate programme by bank transfer (BACS), the bank details are at the bottom of the invoice.
What happens if my circumstances change and I need to cancel my order?
According to our terms and conditions you have a 14-day cooling off period from the date your order was placed. If you cancel your order within this time, your full order will be refunded. If your circumstances change after the 14 days have passed and it is more than 30 days from the start day of the CPD course you would be liable for the deposit, and the rest will be refunded to you. If it is less than 30 days from the start date of the course you would be liable for the full cost of the course. We are sometimes able to offer the option to defer to another cohort or to substitute another person into the place on the course. Please contact our friendly team for more information.
When is payment for my veterinary CPD course due?
- Full payment – the total amount of the enrolment price must be paid within 30 days of registration.
- Deposit + remaining amount – deposit for the enrolment must be paid within 5 days of registration, while the remaining amount of the enrolment must be paid up to 30 days before the course starting date.
- Deposit + instalments – deposit for the enrolment must be paid within 5 days of registration, while the remaining amount of the enrolment will be split into instalments and paid once per month following an established payment plan.
How much do the veterinary CPD courses and certificate programmes cost?
The cost of any CPD course or veterinary certificate programme, including applicable payment schedules, can be found in the ‘pricing’ tab of any programme page.
My course includes assessments with HAU, how do I make payment for these?
For those taking a programme that includes a HAU qualification (eg a PgC programme), the cost of the assessments is included in the fees. However, this only applies to first attempts – if you require a re-sit, you’ll need to pay HAU directly. Please contact our team for more information on how to do this.
My CPD course includes assessments with ISVPS, how do I make payment for these?
For those taking a programme that includes an ISVPS qualification, the cost of the assessments is included in the programme fee. However, this only applies to first attempts – if you require a re-sit, you’ll need to pay ISVPS directly. If you need more information, contact our friendly team.
Can I pay by Direct Debit?
Yes …..
Online Learning & Platform
Is there a discussion forum or way to interact with other delegates?
Yes! We believe in peer learning and support, so we’ve built a forum into our online programmes. Each module typically has a dedicated forum where you can post questions or reply to discussions. Your module tutor also has access so they can help guide discussions and provide help and advice. Look for “Add discussion topic” to begin a new discussion in a forum or “Reply” to add a reply within an existing discussion.
What happens if I lose internet connection or need to pause my session?
In most lessons and quizzes, your progress is saved automatically. If your connection drops, simply re-open the module once you’re back online and navigate back to where you left off. If you continue to experience disruptions, contact support or your programme coordinator.
How do I track my progress in each online module?
Most modules feature an overall progress bar and tick boxes per lesson and Week. Refer to your “My Courses” page or the module main pages to see what has been completed and what remains for your courses and modules respectively.
Can I access course materials on mobile devices or offline?
The platform and content are designed to be viewed on most smartphones and tablets.
You will need an active internet connection to load interactive lessons, quizzes, and videos. Some PDFs or notes may be downloadable for offline reference.
What are the technical requirements to access online courses?
To access an online course, you’ll need a stable internet connection. Some courses may have downloadable PDFs to read through offline, but interactive components require being online.
You’ll also need an up-to-date web browser (such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari). The online learning platform is optimised to work on all major browsers; however, we recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari. Make sure you update your browser regularly.
For video content, audio devices (speakers or headphones) are recommended.
If coming from a non-European country – how would face-to-face module attendance work for the PgC?
- We will endeavour to allocate you face-to-face modules close together in date (e.g. within the same week) to reduce the numbers of trips to the UK required but these dates are restricted so you should be aware that you may have to make separate trips as places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
- It is your responsibility to check visa requirements and ensure that you have relevant documents in place well in advance of travel.
- Delegates attending from outside of Europe may require visas in order to participate in our face-to-face programmes. Please note that the Student Tier 4 visa is not applicable to Improve Education Delegates as a result of us being a private education provider. Further guidance on your entry requirements should be checked with your local embassy.
- Improve Education does not provide support in obtaining visas but can provide supporting documentation to support your application if requested.
How do I register for the GPCert and/or the PgC?
- Registration is made directly to ISVPS (for the GPCert) and HAU (for the PgC) – you will be provided with contact details allowing you to complete their registration forms
- Ideally, the decision to aim for the PgC should be made within the first two months of the programme starting to enable you to benefit from the HAU library access and select your face to face modules if applicable to your programme
Is the PgC programme recognised by other countries?
The PgC is worth 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits but delegates are advised to check with their local governing body for the relevance of these credits in their country.
Venue: Online
Date: Sep 2025 - May 2026
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
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