Warning:

Our passion for best practice veterinary nursing is highly infectious!

It’s quickly transferred to our students and the clinics they work in.

That’s what makes Australian College of Veterinary Nursing graduates so sought after.

We’ve got the cure for your curiosity.
Have a peek at ACVN’s learning pathways.

At the Australian College of Veterinary Nursing, you get more than Australia’s most comprehensive veterinary nursing education plus great career prospects. We offer a massive range of student benefits designed to support you in your learning.

In fact, student support is the foundation of everything we offer; we’re based in Victoria, but offer online, self-paced courses so you can study anywhere, anytime!

And we’re always available to help you when you need it.

The ACVN Nurse Educators are second to none. Where else could you ask a question on Facebook at 10pm at night and have a real Nurse Educator answer?

Jane Bracken / Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

The ACVN Nurse Educators are second to none. Where else could you ask a question on Facebook at 10pm at night and have a real Nurse Educator answer?

Jane Bracken / Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

The Australian College of Veterinary Nursing (ACVN) was founded in 2010 by Harrie Phillips, one of Australia’s most highly qualified vet nurse educators.

Although Harrie loved the industry and adored working as a vet nurse, she often found herself frustrated – unexpected or challenging situations would arise, and she’d realise her own vet nursing education had not exactly set her up for success. Harrie isn’t the kind to complain about a problem without formulating a solution – so ACVN was born.

There are loads of benefits for our full study students

Here are just some of them:

  • Comprehensive printed Learner’s Guides for all subjects* at no extra cost
  • Access to our online Learning Centre. Here you’ll find further learning resources such as videos, presentations, interactive learning modules, handy references, and web links
  • Online assessment submission (saving you postage costs and stress)
  • Access to experienced Nurse Educators 6 days a week via phone, email, student Facebook groups, and live chat
  • Guidance with writing job applications and cover letters – learn how to make your resume stand out from the piles of applications clinics receive every month
  • Printed Qualifications/Statement of Attainment upon completion
  • Insurance coverage for work placements
  • The opportunity to practice new skills or have some one-on-one time with a Nurse Educator at our purpose-built Clinical Skills Lab at our Melbourne office
  • Discounts on short courses, workshops, and other ACVN products

*exc. RPL Fast Track – no Learner’s Guides are supplied as this pathway is not a course

People at the ACVN were so helpful from the beginning. Even when you’re having a bad day and want to throw your learner’s guide at the wall they are there to talk you though everything and make it all better!!! So understanding and compassionate and would do anything to help any of their students. Three years later, with three certificates under my belt I am now a fully qualified veterinary nurse. I have landed my dream job and I have never been happier!!

Tash Berkley / Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

People at the ACVN were so helpful from the beginning. Even when you’re having a bad day and want to throw your learner’s guide at the wall they are there to talk you though everything and make it all better!!! So understanding and compassionate and would do anything to help any of their students. Three years later, with three certificates under my belt I am now a fully qualified veterinary nurse. I have landed my dream job and I have never been happier!!

Tash Berkley / Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

A bit overwhelmed
with all our options?

We’re about to make it a whole lot easier.

Take our quiz to discover which of our study pathways will suit you best.

find out now
veterinary nursing

I worked in hospitality until I realized I needed the majority of my daily interactions to be with animals 😉 Studying vet nursing has led me to gain a reliable job with a manic vet clinic and their associated practices in my beautiful hometown. My studies with ACVN have provided me with the confidence and knowledge to provide the best care possible in a career I never thought I’d get into!

Tilly Oldfield / Green Point, New South Wales
veterinary nursing

I worked in hospitality until I realized I needed the majority of my daily interactions to be with animals 😉 Studying vet nursing has led me to gain a reliable job with a manic vet clinic and their associated practices in my beautiful hometown. My studies with ACVN have provided me with the confidence and knowledge to provide the best care possible in a career I never thought I’d get into!

Tilly Oldfield / Green Point, New South Wales

meet our educators

The Australian College of Veterinary Nursing was founded in 2010 by Harrie Phillips, one of Australia’s most highly qualified veterinary nurse educators.

Learn more about her and the brilliant team below by clicking on their photo:

HARRIE PHILLIPS
MANAGING DIRECTOR

PGCertClinED, BAdVocEd (VocEd&Trng), RVN, DipVN (Surgical, ECC), DipTAE (Development & Design), DipBus, TAA, MACE

NATALIE WOOLLEY
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR

BTrngDev, DipVET, DipVN (ECC & Surgical), ISFM AdvCertFB, Cert IV (VN & CGC), Cert IV TAE, MHFA, RVN

NICOLA WILCOCK
PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR

RVN, TAA

NICOLA WILKINSON
PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR

PGCertVetAnA, BSc (CVN), DipAVN (Small Animal), DipHECVN, RVN, TAA, TAE

ANNEKA PIERZGA
NURSE EDUCATOR

BA (Biology), AAS (MLT), MLT (ASCP), RVN, TAA

CHERIE MURDOCH
NURSE EDUCATOR

BA, Cert IV VN, TAA

JACQUI BREDEN
NURSE EDUCATOR

BMarSc (Marine Biology), Cert IV VN and Cert IV TAE

JESS MALE
NURSE EDUCATOR

Cert IV TAA, RVN, AVN, DipVN (ECC), RN, BSc (Biological & Biomedical)

LAURA SALMOND
NURSE EDUCATOR

BAppSC(VT) DipVN (ECC) VTS(ECC) Cert IV TAE

MICHELE EL BAYEH
NURSE EDUCATOR

BSc, RVN, TAA

ANGELIQUE BREARLEY
VN ASSESSOR

ANN GARCIA
VN ASSESSOR

RVN, Cert IV VN

CARINA SELLWOOD
VN ASSESSOR

RVN, Cert IV VN, Dip VN ECC, CertVNECC, Dip Journalism

JARDENE CERA
VN ASSESSOR

Cert IV VN

KAYLEIGH WILLIAMS
VN ASSESSOR

BSc (AnScBehWelf), RVN, TAA

TESS WEIR
VN ASSESSOR

BSc (Vet Bio), Cert IV (VN), RVN

YVONNE FUNK
VN ASSESSOR

RVN, cert IV veterinary nursing, DipEqSc, TAA

AMANDA REEVE
VN ASSESSOR &
CLINICAL SKILLS TUTOR

BappSc (VT), Cert IV (VN)

KYMBERLY SALTER
VN ASSESSOR &
CLINICAL SKILLS TUTOR

cert IV RVN

MAHNI DAVIES
INTERNAL COMPLIANCE AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

BSc (Zoo, Rep), TAA

GAYLE PEDRON
RTO ADMIN OFFICER

RIKKI RANUI
RTO ADMINISTRATOR

RHIANNON PHILLIPS
STUDENT SUPPORT & ADMINISTRATION

DipPolice, DipHBO, DMT, Cert IV Health, TAA

BREE TAYLOR
STUDENT WELLBEING COACH

Cht, Dip App Sci, Mas NLP

OVERSEAS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

It’s easy to forget that not every country has access to the same level of veterinary care we do in Australia.

Because animals all around the globe need veterinary care, ACVN often takes a team made up of ACVN nurse graduates and students overseen by our Nurse Educators to an overseas veterinary charity to help out with protocols, training, and – of course – providing veterinary nursing care.

ACVN graduates and students can nominate for the opportunity to attend these overseas tours, accompanied by our experienced Nurse Educators.

Become an ACVN student and receive information on how to apply as soon as we announce the next tour. (They’re amazing, you’ll love it!)

Join our team!

We’re always looking for people that have
a passion for animal welfare and a love for education.
If this is you, click the button below to browse our current job openings.

view jobs