Nurses Course
Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
ISVPS Nurses Certificate/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate (NCert/VPPCert)
- OVERVIEW
- MODULES
- OPTIONAL MODULES
- PRICING
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- FAQs
September 2023 - May 2024
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), Veterinary Technician Certificate (VTCert) 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.
What you'll learn:
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/VTCert and VPPCert is awarded by our global qualifications provider ISVPS
Programme Details:
Module Summary
- Triage, Monitoring & Stabilisation
- Fluid Therapy in the Emergency Patient
- DATE TBC Webinar 1: Get ready: Tips to manage different types of shocks
- Surgical emergency procedures
- Analgesia and Anaesthesia
- Emergency and Critical Care in Exotic patients
- DATE TBC Webinar 2: Get ready: Tips to manage reproductive and abdominal emergencies
- Diagnostic Imaging and the Trauma Patient
- Medical emergencies
- Nursing the critical patient
- DATE TBC Webinar 3: Get ready: Tips to manage the blocked cat and trauma patient
- CPR and Key practical skills
Please note the module order may be subject to change
Venue: Online
Date: September 2023 - May 2024
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
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01 - 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 - DATE TBC Webinar 1: Get ready: Tips to manage different types of shocks
04 - 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.
05 - 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.
06 - 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.
07 - DATE TBC Webinar 2: Get ready: Tips to manage reproductive and abdominal emergencies
08 - 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.
09 - 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.
10 - 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).
11 - DATE TBC Webinar 3: Get ready: Tips to manage the blocked cat and trauma patient
12 - 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: September 2023 - May 2024
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
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ACCREDITED BY:
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: September 2023 - May 2024
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
Get in touch
ACCREDITED BY:
-
Early bird prices
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Regular prices
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in Full) | £3,199.00 | - | £3,199.00 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Payment in Full) | £399.00 | £2,800.00 | £3,199.00 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit + 9 monthly instalments) - Total cost | £399.00 | £364.00 x 9 | £3,675.00 |
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in Full) | £3,838.80 | - | £3,838.80 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Payment in Full) | £478.80 | £3,360.00 | £3,838.80 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit + 9 monthly instalments) - Total cost | £478.80 | £436.80 x 9 | £4,410.00 |
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in Full) | £3,299.00 | - | £3,299.00 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Payment in Full) | £499.00 | £2,800.00 | £3,299.00 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit + 9 monthly instalments) - Total cost | £499.00 | £364.00 x 9 | £3,775.00 |
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in Full) | £3,958.80 | - | £3,958.80 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Payment in Full) | £598.80 | £3,360.00 | £3,958.80 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit + 9 monthly instalments) - Total cost | £598.80 | £436.80 x 9 | £4,530.00 |
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
Optional Practical Day | £469.00 | - | £469.00 |
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
Optional Practical Day | £562.80 | - | £562.80 |
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.
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: September 2023 - May 2024
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
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ACCREDITED BY:
Extend 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
UK and Non-UK applicants
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 support 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: September 2023 - May 2024
NCert/VPPCert in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
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ACCREDITED BY:
Frequently Asked Questions
Nurses Certificates Online Learning
Who can enrol on the NCert/VPPCert Certificate Online Learning Programmes?
These programmes are postgraduate qualifications and require a sound knowledge of veterinary anatomy, physiology and nursing prior to entry.
- NCert – you must be a RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse, or equivalent (e.g VCI – Veterinary Council of Ireland) if you are not practising in the UK. Proof of qualification will be required for eligibility.
- VPPCert – you must have been working in a veterinary environment for two years and provide evidence that you have been involved within the discipline which is being taught on the particular programme for which you are seeking access. This will require proof of employment with reference, current CV and self-certification
What does the NCert/VPPCert qualification consist of?
- Complete the full online structured programme
- Case report or clinical audit (depending on the programme followed); 2,500 words, requires academic writing and referencing
- An online applied knowledge examination (OAKE)
- A one-hour online examination consisting of 25 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
- ISVPS are responsible for invigilation of the exam using an independent invigilation company
- Complete all of the evaluation surveys which consists of answering 5 MCQ’s before each module and 5 MCQs after each session.
How do I register for the NCert/VPPCert qualification via Online Learning Programmes?
Registration for the examination (and associated written assessment) is optional, and delegates undertaking an Improve Veterinary Education modular training programme can choose to attend the course without undertaking any assessment. Delegates choosing NOT to undertake any assessment receive acknowledgement of their ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) hours from Improve Veterinary Education but ARE NOT eligible to receive the NCert/VPPCert in their chosen discipline.
Registration is via a unique registration link provided at the start of the course via the online learning platform Moodle. Upon registration, you can anticipate email confirmation. (Please add english@isvps.org to your contacts to ensure you receive correspondence from ISVPS).
The confirmation email contains a password to access the ISVPS ‘Candidates’ Area’, which is separate to Improve Veterinary Education’s Learning Management System (LMS). In addition to providing access to assessment guidance, the ISVPS ‘Candidates’ Area’ also permits candidates to submit their written assessment to ISVPS anonymously.
How many CPD hours will this programme provide?
The programme is worth a minimum of 12 CPD hours (approximately 48 hours of delivered sessions and 52 hours self-study time).
How much self-study is required?
In addition to the 2500-word written assessment, we suggest that delegates spend an additional 52 hours of self-study. You will also require access to journals and articles via an internet library service (e.g. RCVS Knowledge; PubMed; Google scholar) which may incur an additional registration fee.
Will there be any additional costs involved?
The examination fee is included in the full course price however those delegates that require to resit any part of the assessments will be subject to additional assessment fees which are paid directly to ISVPS. You will also be provided with a suggested reading list where there may be additional cost of books and articles depending on the individual preferences.
How can I track my progress in the programme?
Progress of the completion of your module and programme are tracked in different ways.
Each module consists of 9 interactive lessons including reflective study which may involve case studies, MCQ writing and calculation practice during week 4, depending on the specific module. The interactive lessons will track and remember your progress whilst you complete it. When you return to a specific lesson or case study, you will return to the page that you last visited.
Once a lesson is completed, a tick will appear next to the lesson icon on the module course page. You will also see a progress indicator at the top right-hand corner of the course page and a more detailed Progress Bar in the collapsible side menu on the left.
Upon completing all 9 lessons and the 2 case studies, you will be awarded a Digital Badge, recognising your achievement. As you progress through the programme, badges will be awarded at 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 completion stages.
What qualifications are needed for taking the programme if coming from another non-European country?
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.
Do I have to access the programme via a specific browser?
Even though you may access our world-leading Learning Management System via any browser, it is recommended that you choose a browser that supports integrated HTML editor. Google Chrome or Firefox on a Windows operating system, and Chrome, Firefox or Safari on a Mac system.
While using Internet Explorer (Edge) should not cause any issue, it has been reported that some security settings and adherence to W3C standards prevent the browser from operating in some instances. If you experience a problem please try one of the other browsers before contacting Improve for additional support.
What additional learning resources are available?
- Notes to support every lesson
- Reading list
- Module Tutor (diploma holder and or above in their field)
- Improve Education Programme Tutor
- Discussion Forum
- Pre and post-module questions
- Reflective sessions incorporating multiple-choice writing and study skills
- Summary videos at the end of each week