Nurses Course
Nursing Anaesthesia
ISVPS Nurses Certificate/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate (NCert/VPPCert)
- OVERVIEW
- MODULES
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- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
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June 2023 - January 2024
Learn at your own pace, wherever you are, with our Nursing Anaesthesia online learning programme
Our Nursing Anaesthesia online learning programme has been developed to enable all veterinary nurses/ technicians and veterinary paraprofessionals access to our world-class teaching materials.
By studying part-time, at your own pace, this programme allows you to effectively manage your work-life balance while taking essential knowledge back to practice immediately.
During the programme, online sessions will cover:
- The latest anaesthetic and monitoring equipment
- The selection of key anaesthetic and analgesic agents
- Techniques for safe anaesthesia
- Effective analgesia in dogs, cats, equines and exotics
You’ll have support and guidance from a Module Tutor who is a specialist in veterinary anaesthesia across 8 varied and interactive modules delivered over 8 months.
Additional sessions allow you to develop your reflective skills and enable time for consolidation and revision of your learning.
Once you join you will be part of an international programme with participants from all over the world.
What you'll learn:
8 varied modules
Covering key nursing topics in anaesthesia delivered over 8 months (one module released every other month)
Support and guidance from a Module Tutor who is a specialist in anaesthesia
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
100% online
Giving you access 24/7 wherever you are
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
Four sessions per month
Each module consists of four sessions spread over one month. Sessions comprise separate lessons to work through at your own pace. The fourth week of the month will provide reflective sessions and during the months when the module is not running, training in study skills and revision materials will be provided
Programme Details:
Module Summary
- The Anaesthetic Machine and Monitoring Equipment
- Pre-anaesthetic Assessment and Pre-medication. Intravenous and Inhalant Anaesthetics
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Accidents and Emergencies
- Fluid Therapy in the Perioperative Period. Nutrition in Critical Care
- Anaesthesia of Equine and Exotics Species
- Analgesia and Pain Assessment
- Anaesthetic Considerations for Specific Conditions I
- Anaesthetic Considerations for Specific Conditions II
Please note the module order may be subject to change
Tutors:
Venue: Online
Date: June 2023 - January 2024
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert in Nursing Anaesthesia
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01 - The Anaesthetic Machine and Monitoring Equipment
The anaesthetic machine is an essential tool for inhalation anaesthesia. A good working knowledge of both the machine and breathing circuit is essential to ensure the safety of the patient.
This module will cover the different types of machines available and will review available breathing circuits. The range of monitoring equipment in veterinary practice has increased significantly over the last few years and the latest thinking on this topic will be presented. Key learning objectives:
- Understand the anaesthetic machine
- Know how anaesthetic breathing circuits work and how to choose them
- Understand the use of low flow anaesthesia with circle circuits
- Be able to fill in the anaesthetic record correctly
- Have an overview from basic through to advanced monitoring
- Understand equipment - how it works and what to choose
- Be able to anticipate potential problems and avoid pitfalls
- Adopt minimal monitoring in ‘general practice’
- Have an overview of ventilators and artificial ventilation
02 - Pre-anaesthetic Assessment and Pre-medication. Intravenous and Inhalant Anaesthetics
This module will cover how to assess the patient before anaesthesia and the different drugs available for pre-medication. General anaesthesia may be induced by injectable drugs or inhalational agents. These will be reviewed along with methods of maintaining anaesthesia. Key learning objectives:
- The role of pre-anaesthetic assessment
- Understand the reasons and ways to use pre-medication and sedation
- Have an overview of injectable anaesthetics
- Have an overview of the inhalation anaesthetics
- Be able to review the principles and practical use of the newer agents
- Explain the use of anaesthetic checklists and be able to implement them in clinical practice
03 - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Accidents and Emergencies
The causes of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) will be covered as will how to recognise ‘at risk’ patients. The aim of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is to support ventilation and circulation until natural functions can be restored and maintained. Equipment and resources needed for CPR will be included and a step-by-step ‘how’ to’ guide. Key learning objectives:
- Be able to identify common complications in anaesthesia
- Know the causes, identify and the treatment of arrest
- A practical step-by-step guide as to how to manage an arrest, basic CPCR, ventilation and artificial circulation
04 - Fluid Therapy in the Perioperative Period. Nutrition in Critical Care
Fluid therapy is often seen as complicated by both nurses and vets. This module aims to demystify the subject and explain the reasons why every nurse should understand the basics of fluid balance, fluid therapy and fluid administration.
How to calculate fluid requirements, rates of administration, and monitoring techniques will be covered. Nutritional support for the anaesthetised patient will also be included.
Key learning objectives:
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Know about the types and uses of different fluids, including colloids, HBOCS
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Be able to devise a fluid therapy plan and monitor patients
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Understand the principles of transfusion medicine
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The importance of nutrition in the critical patient
05 - Anaesthesia of Equine and Exotics Species
There are naturally some important differences when planning anaesthesia in both equine and exotic species. This module will cover the different drugs and techniques available for both the horse and also common ‘exotic’ species.
Key learning objectives:
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Have an overview of equine anaesthesia: the horse as an anaesthetic candidate
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Understand drugs and anaesthetic techniques including monitoring and complications in equine anaesthesia
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Know of special considerations, techniques and advice for anaesthesia in other species including birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits and other small mammals
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Have an awareness of some considerations specific to farm animal anaesthesia
06 - Analgesia and Pain Assessment
This module will cover the pathophysiology of pain and how to recognise and assess pain in the different species.
The different types of drugs available for analgesia will be reviewed for short, medium and long term use. The concept of pre-emptive analgesia will be covered along with multi-modal analgesia.
Key learning objectives:
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Have an overview of the pathophysiology of pain
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Recognise pain in different species
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Have an understanding of pain scoring
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Understand the many analgesia options, including opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, local anaesthesia and other agents such as alpha 2 agonists
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Local blocks and epidurals
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Know how to use constant rate infusions
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Consider long term pain management and chronic pain
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Be aware of adjuncts to pain control, new and novel drugs
07 - Anaesthetic Considerations for Specific Conditions I
Certain conditions require the anaesthetist to employ different techniques from those routinely used. The use of neuromuscular blocking agents will be covered in this course as well as planning anaesthesia for thoracic surgery, head and neck surgery, patients with cardiopulmonary disease and those with neurological problems.
Key learning objectives:
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Know about muscle relaxants – indications, current use, new drugs and monitoring
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How to plan an anaesthetic for:
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Thoracic surgery
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Head and neck surgery
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Patients with cardiopulmonary disease
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Patients with neurological disease
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08 - Anaesthetic Considerations for Specific Conditions II
This module will cover how to plan an anaesthetic for both the patient undergoing a caesarean operation, the paediatric and geriatric patient. In addition, considerations for anaesthesia for patients with renal or liver failure and for particular endocrinopathies will be discussed. All of these situations place particular demands on the anaesthetist and the importance of patient assessment, drug selection, induction/maintenance techniques and monitoring will be covered.
Key learning objectives:
- Plan an anaesthetic for Caesarean section
- Be able to plan an anaesthetic for paediatric patients
- Understand anaesthesia for patients with kidney, liver disease and endocrinopathies
Venue: Online
Date: June 2023 - January 2024
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert in Nursing Anaesthesia
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ACCREDITED BY:
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Early bird prices
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Regular prices
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in full) | £2,729.00 | - | £2,729.00 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Remaining balance) | £399.00 | £2,330.00 | £2,729.00 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and 8 monthly instalments - Total cost) | £399.00 | £343.00 x 8 | £3,143.00 |
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in full) | £3,274.80 | - | £3,274.80 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Remaining balance) | £478.80 | £2,796.00 | £3,274.80 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and 8 monthly instalments - Total cost) | £478.80 | £411.60 x 8 | £3,771.60 |
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in full) | £2,829.00 | - | £2,829.00 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Remaining balance) | £499.00 | £2,330.00 | £2,829.00 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and 8 monthly instalments - total cost) | £499.00 | £343.00 x 8 | £3,243.00 |
Payment Option | Initial Payment | Remaining Balance | Total Payable |
---|---|---|---|
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Payment in full) | £3,394.80 | - | £3,394.80 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and Remaining balance) | £598.80 | £2,796.00 | £3,394.80 |
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programme (Deposit and 8 monthly instalments - total cost) | £598.80 | £411.60 x 8 | £3,891.60 |
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: June 2023 - January 2024
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert in Nursing Anaesthesia
Get in touch
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: June 2023 - January 2024
NCert/VTCert/VPPCert in Nursing Anaesthesia
Get in touch
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