Veterinary Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing provides the student with skills in surgical nursing, anesthesia, clinical laboratory, animal handling and radiology. All clinical tasks required by the American Veterinary Medical Association are performed by the student in laboratory and clinical situations. Graduates are eligible for the National Veterinary Technician Examination and individual state licensure. The Veterinary Nursing program is accredited by the AVMA.
Three concentrations for the Bachelor of Science degree are offered: veterinary biology, veterinary business management, and veterinary equi-assist. The veterinary biology concentration prepares the student for opportunities in clinical practice, education, research or industry. Although the concentration provides good preparation for entry to veterinary school, additional coursework is necessary to fulfill the prerequisites required for entrance. An academic adviser will assist students with course planning.
The second concentration in veterinary business management is intended for the student who plans to work in private veterinary practice. The graduate will be able to function as a supervisor or hospital manager, as well as a veterinary nurse. Since many of the requirements are met through this concentration, students may also wish to pursue a Veterinary Business Management Certificate or a minor in business or entrepreneurship and small-business management.
The veterinary equi-assist concentration is designed for the student with an interest in working with an equine practitioner. Working under an equine veterinarian, the graduate will provide care to horses in their home environment.
Veterinary Nursing Student general requirements:
- Students must obtain at least a grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0-point scale) in each Veterinary Nursing (VMT) course and any 100 level biology, chemistry and math course listed as pre-requisites to enroll in a VMT course. These courses include BIO-101, BIO-110, CHM-101, CHM-103, and MAT-103.
- Students may only repeat Veterinary Nursing (VMT) courses one time (i.e., a course may be taken for credit a maximum of two times).
- Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in order to progress in Veterinary Nursing (VMT) and to graduate. Progress at meeting the cumulative 2.5 GPA is verified at the end of each spring semester.GPAs from the Registrar’s Office are NOT rounded.
- To declare a major in VMT (Veterinary Nursing), students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5.
- Animal care may be required of all students in any VMT (Veterinary Nursing) course.
- Due to AVMA regulations, all veterinary nursing students must provide proof of rabies vaccination by February 1st of the calendar year in which they plan to enroll in VMT221: Clinical Practices II, VMT-355: Internship, and VMT-415: Veterinary Surgical Nursing. Failure to obtain the full rabies vaccination series will disqualify students from completing the required AVMA essential skills through the Wilson College Veterinary Nursing program for graduation. It will be the student’s responsibility to identify alternate methods of skills acquisition (pre-approved by the division.