Qualification Overview

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualification is to train a registered veterinary nurse who can render a professional level of veterinary care to animals within the South African community and to provide further opportunities for continued personal growth and research. Qualified learners will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in appropriate procedures, specific veterinary nursing skills and applied competences as required for employment as a veterinary nurse in private, welfare and state veterinary services, research and teaching facilities and industry, in terms of the Veterinary and Para-veterinary Professionals Act 19 of 1982 as amended. The qualification consists of a planned range of learning opportunities commencing with exposure to knowledge and knowledge of the normal healthy animal. The depth of exposure is gradually increased towards a more problem-solving approach together with the gradual introduction of more applied aspects through a hands-on approach consisting of prescribed practical work and clinical exposure. An entire lecture-free year at the end of the qualification aims to equip the student with the required applied competence and skills in the clinical situation as well as in the management of the facility and interaction with owners and clients.

Rationale:

The art of diagnosing and treating animal diseases developed gradually over time with training in veterinary science dating back to 1762 in Lyons, France. The need for specifically trained support staff in a clinical environment similarly developed over time has led to the recognition of the veterinary nursing profession as a key role player in a larger team of professionals devoted to the health and welfare of animals and their owners. The growing demand for these professionals has led to the introduction of qualifications for this particular category of professional. This qualification aims to meet the need of the sector by delivering veterinary health-care professionals trained to deliver appropriate services in a wide range of veterinary endeavours ranging from private practice, academia, research, animal welfare, wildlife and rehabilitation centers, state veterinary practice and community clinics. These services are essentially aimed at providing nursing care to the patient and support services to the owner and the veterinarian whilst at the same time facilitating proper management of the clinical facility in liaison with other support staff over the full range of veterinary involvement; cats and dogs, exotic animals, horses and production animals. Typical learners will include learners dedicated to the welfare and well-being of all animals with a keen sense of duty in alleviating suffering and educating others in the art of responsible animal ownership.

Qualified veterinary nurses will find employment in the full range of veterinary practices, academia, animal welfare organizations, animal research organizations, wildlife and rehabilitation centers, state veterinary practice and others.; in fact, anywhere where animals are kept and and/or have to be cared for. Duties will include the clinical care and treatment of animals, performing diagnostic procedures, specific and general administrative duties, and patient and facility management. Knowledge and skills gained during the qualification can also be applied in related animal industries such as boarding and/or grooming establishments, the pet food industry, the pharmaceutical industry and suppliers of veterinary instruments.

The qualification is to be seen as the first tertiary qualification in the field of veterinary nursing for which the National Senior Certificate will serve as a prerequisite qualification. Completion of the qualification may then serve as an entry point for further postgraduate qualifications in veterinary nursing specifically or branching into other disciplines such as management and/or economics.

Private veterinary practice is well established in South Africa as are activities related to animal welfare, animal research and veterinary academia. It is well-known that veterinary interaction is aimed at two separate but closely related areas; the care and treatment of the animal and the emotional component of the human-animal bond and the impact on the economy in the provision of safe and wholesome food of animal origin. Both have an impact on the extent to which society and the economy in general stand to gain or lose; one is measured more in terms of the societal gain and advantage, the other in terms of money at all levels of society up to and including international trade and the effect thereof on the national economy. Suffice it to say that both are important and stand to benefit from the availability of a team of optimally trained veterinary healthcare professionals.

The objectives of the NQF will be facilitated through this qualification by adding on to the scope of the already existing framework a further qualification serving the needs of a well-established profession. As such it will facilitate access to and entry of potential learners in additional career paths which will specifically serve societal needs and economic growth in general. It will enhance education in a very important field of veterinary science whilst also creating the possibility of further education and personal development. Through improved access it will facilitate redress and lead to the full development of learners as well as the social and economic development of all the people of South Africa.