DkIT B.Sc. in
Veterinary Nursing
FETAC & mature applicant information
session
4th December 2014
Housekeeping
• Phones on silent
please
• Bathrooms are
outside, turn right &
then left
• Smoking area is in
the courtyard
Welcome to
veterinary nursing at
DkIT
Today’s presentation
• Application routes
• The ideal applicant
• Common
application
weaknesses
• How to address
these
Application routes
• Leaving cert (20 places)
• C3 (Hons) in biology or Ag science
• FETAC level 5 animal care (5 places)
• Mature applicants (5 places)
• Apply via the CAO
Current students
• Hard working, enthusiastic & highly
motivated!
The course
• It’s a science degree
• Goes (far!) beyond basic rote learning &
recall
• You must understand the information &
be able to do something useful with it
• Lectures are just a starting point for
your own further study
Example
Where will you put
your stethoscope to
listen to this animal’s
heart?
What’s his normal 24-40
heart rate?
bpm
Why might it rise during surgery?pain, blood loss
give more painkillersWhat are you going to do about it?
The ideal applicant
?
Vet nursing
experience
• Spend time in practice
observing what a
registered veterinary nurse
actually does
• Be aware of the realities of
the job
• The veterinary industry is
made up of hard working &
dedicated professionals
Vet Ireland survey 2013: the average vet spends
105 hours per week working and on call
Animal experience
Education
• An interest in learning
• The dedication to complete a course
• Good basic writing & communication
skills
• Be willing to learn to think!
• Be open to learning about a range of
animal species (farm animals, pets,
exotics & horses)
Key attributes
•
•
•
•
•
•
Personal responsibility
Practical skills
Writing skills
Maths skills
People skills
Physical fitness
Personal
responsibility
• We cannot teach you to be a veterinary
nurse...
• But we can help you to learn to be a
veterinary nurse
• Ultimately it’s up to you, nobody else
can do it for you
• You must take on this responsibility, no
excuses!
Physical fitness
• Nursing animals is a physically demanding
job
• On your feet constantly, lots of manual
handling, it’s not 9-5.
• Working when tired/cold/hungry/injured
• You need to be able for this
• Running, cycling, team sports, horse
riding, swimming etc.
People skills
• Good communication skills are
absolutely vital in this career
• Clients must feel they can trust you
• Colleagues must feel you are a genuine
team player
• (Loving animals is not enough)
Practical skills
• You need to be able to make your
hands do what you want them to do
• You also need to be observant
• Gardening, sewing, cooking, playing
sports, fixing things all help!
• Can you wire a plug, sharpen a knife,
change a tyre, replace a fuse, groom an
animal?!
Writing skills
• Vet nurses work as part of a
professional animal care team
• Accurate and detailed case notes are
vital
• Legal records
• Patient discharge instructions, reports
etc.
• You must be able to write well
An
overdose
will kill
me..
Maths
• You must be competent in practical
maths
• Drug doses - give 1.1mg/kg of a
50mg/ml solution to a 12kg dog
• Disinfectant dilutions - make up a
1:200 solution
• Lab test results
- how many dl in a l?
“Success
implies
You must be prepared
to work!
endeavour”
Common application
weaknesses
Experience of what a vet
nurse actually does
Incomplete/late
applications
• Get applications in to the CAO
before Feb 1st
• Ensure you have included ALL
requested documentation,
including academic results &
references
Lack of references
• A FETAC work placement report from a
veterinary practice is not a reference
• A reference must be written by a
practice member specifically for the
purpose of applying to the course
• Include references for stated veterinary
experience
NEVER falsify references!
Writing &
presentation quality
• Yes, it really does matter (a LOT)!
• Remember that your written application
is all we have to go on initially – we will
shortlist based on it
• You have plenty of time to check it so
get it right before you send it in
Interviews
Ikea job interview
First impressions
• If you are offered an
interview and can’t make it,
please let us know
• Be punctual (better still, be
early!)
• Look smart and professional
Interview skills
• They’re informal, normally 2 staff
members
• Have researched the course, the
college and the career
• Anticipate typical interview questions
• Have some questions of your own
• *Consider some interview techniques
training
Inform yourself
• Use your initiative to research the job &
the course
www.ivna.ie
Enthusiasm
• Essential!
• It is not enough to say
that you love animals
and leave it at that
• Don’t worry if you are
nervous
Commitment to
learning
• “Sure the course will be no bother, I
love animals”
• Have you really considered the realities
of going back to college?
• What have you done to prepare
yourself?
Advice for applicants
(the take home
message)
Do your research
• Spend as much time as possible in
practice, ideally with RVNs
• Inform yourself about the course
• Inform yourself about the profession
• Ensure your application is complete &
accurate
• Get experience with a range of animal
species
The best of luck!
Thank you for your attention
Any questions?