DkIT B.Sc. in Veterinary Nursing

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?