CERTIFICATE IN PROFESSIONAL VETERINARY NURSING

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Expand your clinical veterinary nursing skills and showcase your dedication to your patients by becoming a CPVN.

Our Certificate in Professional Veterinary Nursing is designed for those experienced or qualified nurses wanting to gain more knowledge in a particular aspect of veterinary nursing and boost their resume.

The CPVN program boosts your clinical nursing skills and directly increases the level of patient care you provide. Your confidence in your own nursing skills will expand, and you’ll find this will rub off on the vets, who will entrust you with greater patient care tasks.

As a CPVN, you’re not just a veterinary nurse, you’re an ACVN Veterinary Nurse.

Employers will recognise your dedication to the veterinary nursing profession and your desire to provide amazing patient care. You’ll get to stand out in from the crowd in a very competitive job market by adding CPVN (Specialisation) after your name.

Showcase your achievements and commitment to veterinary nursing and patient care standards by becoming a CPVN today. Select from the specialisation that interests you – InPatient Nursing, Surgical, Anaesthesia or Exotics & Wildlife.

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AVNAT Logo

This course has been accredited for 20 points under the AVNAT Scheme.

Is this course suitable for me?

To be eligible to enrol in this course, you must:

  • Be a qualified Veterinary Nurse (either Australian or overseas) or have significant experience working at the same level as a nurse who is qualified.
  • We recommend at least 2 years of full time experience, not including your first few years of learning the job.
  • Be employed in a veterinary clinic to have access to the case load necessary for your assessments.

CPVN InPatient Nursing

Subjects:

  • Nursing the Veterinary Patient
  • Physical Therapy
  • Pain Management
  • Advanced Critical Care Nursing

Assessments:

  • Written & videos assessments plus logs of cases.

CPVN Anaesthesia

Subjects:

  • Anaesthesia & Analgesia
  • Advanced Anaesthesia
  • Fluid Therapy
  • Pain Management

Assessments:

  • Written & videos assessments plus logs of cases.

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CPVN Surgical

Subjects:

  • Surgical Nursing
  • Scrubbed Surgical Assisting
  • Instrument Care & Sterile Supply
  • Wound Management & Dressings

Assessments:

  • Written & videos assessments plus logs of cases.

CPVN Exotics & Wildlife

Subjects:

  • Enrichment
  • Avian Nursing
  • Nursing Reptiles
  • Nursing Rabbits & Rodents

Assessments:

  • Written & videos assessments plus logs of cases.

Enrolling is very simple!

  1. Click on your specialisation of choice in the next section.
  2. Complete the checkout process. You can select to pay via Humm if you want to spread out the cost.
  3. We’ll process your enrolment within 1 business day, so check your email for access details.
  4. We’ll ship out your printed learner’s guides as soon as you complete the student induction module.

Graduate as a CPVN and
blow away your competition.

After graduation you will be able to add CPVN (Specialisation) after your name, indicating your achievements and commitment to your career. This will make you stand out from the crowd when applying for a job in your dream clinic.

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What SUBJECTS WILL I STUDY?

These are the subjects for each CPVN Specialisation:

CPVN InPatient Nursing

Patients are often kept in hospital and knowing how to look after them from food to bedding, exercising, taking vital signs, recording observations and knowing when to alert the Vet are all skills that form the basis of good nursing. This subject goes into detail on how to really look after your patients well, providing nursing interventions where necessary, and looking at the patient as a whole – not just ticking off a box that a treatment has been given.

Physical therapy is an essential part of the post op recovery period and an area of care where nurses can be actively involved. Providing physical therapy is a great way to improve owner compliance with post op care, and allow regular contact with the clinic to monitor the patient’s progress. This subject will prepare students to discuss physical therapy with clients, devise routines they can follow, and recognise when to refer to a Veterinary Physiotherapist. It also covers techniques they can implement in clinic to help speed up the recovery of the post op patient. This subject will also teach students about the various muscles and muscle groups.

Pain Management icon

In-depth analgesia knowledge and the ability to recognise pain is vital in so many different aspects of veterinary nursing. This subject will teach students about the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, pain pathways, and the drugs we use to control pain. It will look at recognising pain and pain scoring, and alternative methods of controlling pain in our patients including nursing interventions.

You’ll learn more advanced nursing skills such as how to map out patient care plans and specific nursing interventions for individual patients. Students also learn about correct urinary catheter care and physiology and anatomy of the urinary system itself. Feeding tube maintenance is also covered along with managing recumbent patients, neonates, blood transfusions, and the provision of oxygen therapy.

CPVN Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia icon

Anaesthesia & Analgesia will add a lot of extra knowledge to your nursing skill set. Your patients will benefit from your improved understanding of setting up, monitoring anaesthetics and the recovery period.

Anaesthesia icon

You will learn specific protocols for disease states, advanced monitoring equipment, and really cement your anaesthetic knowledge.

Fluid therapy is an integral part of the modern veterinary clinic. This subject will teach students about the various types of fluids available, their indications and contraindications and how to monitor patients receiving fluid therapy. Students will also learn about osmosis, and how to correctly calculate fluid rates and influencing factors on fluid rates.

Pain Management icon

In-depth analgesia knowledge and the ability to recognise pain is vital in so many different aspects of veterinary nursing. This subject will teach students about the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, pain pathways, and the drugs we use to control pain. It will look at recognising pain and pain scoring, and alternative methods of controlling pain in our patients including nursing interventions.

CPVN Surgical

Surgical Nursing A icon

This subject covers a vast array of surgical topics from asepsis, theatre attire, patient preparation for surgery, pre and post-operative care. You’ll learn about a vast array of surgical procedures, how to assist in surgery, aftercare instructions for surgeries, and how to maintain the theatre suite. You’ll also learn about scheduling procedure, suture materials and more.

Assisting with surgery starts with the preparation of the surgical team, ensuring that all members are ready and equipped for the procedure. Providing effective surgical assistance is crucial, requiring knowledge of various roles and responsibilities during surgery. The curriculum includes an understanding of suture materials, needles, and staples, along with different suture patterns and knots. These skills enable veterinary nurses to support surgeons effectively, contributing to efficient and safe surgical practices.

This subject covers how to correctly clean and sterilise instruments as per the Australian Standards and best practice.

Wound Management is an area that nurses can be actively involved in. This subject starts off with learning about the integument system; it then branches into the physiology of wound healing. Students will learn about different dressings and bandages (both techniques and materials), which to use when, and how to decide on a wound care plan in conjunction with the veterinarian.

CPVN Exotics & Wildlife

Providing enrichment is essential for animal welfare. This subject looks at the methods we can use for many species to enrich their environment and life. You’ll complete your own enrichment plans as part of your assessment.

Students begin by learning about various avian species and basic avian anatomy, followed by essential aspects of housing and husbandry. The curriculum covers bird behaviour and enrichment, general healthcare, and nutrition. It also includes important topics such as transport and handling, housing in a veterinary clinic, and conducting physical examinations. You will learn about common diseases and emergency situations, maintenance procedures, and about administering anaesthesia and analgesia. Additional topics include nursing interventions, radiography, fluid therapy, clinical pathology, and managing emergent conditions, first aid, and end-of-life care, ensuring well-rounded knowledge in avian nursing.

This subject offers an exploration of reptile species, including common lizards, non-venomous snakes, tortoises, and turtles. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of their unique anatomy, housing and habitat requirements, as well as insights into environmental enrichment and natural behaviours. You will learn about the essentials of reptile healthcare, nutrition, and the specifics of managing their environment in a clinical setting.

Focusing on the comprehensive care of rabbits and rodents, this subject will equip you with confidence. From understanding diverse breeds, anatomy, to mastering husbandry and nutrition, this subject covers it all. It delves into practical skills for handling, restraint, and recognising behaviour patterns. The subject takes a deep dive into rabbit-specific nursing, including anaesthesia, analgesia, disease management, and emergency care.

Frequently asked questions

The course is delivered entirely by distance education using our online ‘Learning Centre’.

This allows you the flexibility to study when it suits your schedule. You won’t need to attend any on-campus classes.

We’ve designed the course to fit around your work and lifestyle.

Once the course starts, you’ll receive printed learner’s guides, which will guide you through your studies and prepare you for assessments. You will also need access to veterinary nursing textbooks. We recommend the BSAVA, but others will also assist you. You’ll also have access to the extra study resources available via our ‘Learning Centre’ online

You’ll complete a range of assessments, such as:

  • Expect to complete written case studies and short answer questions.
  • Workplace-based assessments for practical skills will be completed at the clinic in which you work via video assessments. Don’t stress, we will provide you with full details of what to include.
  • Additional evidence will also need to be supplied, such as copies of Anaesthetic records, hospital charts etc .

To successfully complete the CPVN program you will need to:

  • Complete and pass the subjects and their assessments – these will be related to your chosen specialisation.
  • Log your involvement in a range of cases to show your experience.

As part of your specialisation’s included subjects, you’ll complete multiple choice style activities to check your own learning. Between all the subjects, you’ll complete 3 to 4 written assessments and 3-4 video assessments and receive feedback from our Nurse Educators.

You’ll have access to our Nurse Educators and Student Assist to get help when you need it. We’ll also pop you into our ACVN Nurses Facebook Group, where both Nurse Educators and other students will help you out.

You will complete your CPVN over 6 months. Additional fees apply if you do not pass a subject, you need to re-enrol in a subject for any reason, or you need to extend your enrolment period.

You will be given 6 months to complete your CPVN requirements, and if you need more time, that’s ok! Arranging an enrolment extension is easy, however be aware that it attracts a fee.

Yes, but you may find it extremely difficult to provide the right evidence as we require videos of you performing tasks, written case studies on patients you are nursing, and third party reports from vets and nurses you currently work with.

We suggest doing some short courses to brush up on your skills.

If you have completed equivalent subjects as part of your Cert IV enrolment with ACVN, then we will apply subject credits over for you

You will not be required to pay for enrolment in these subjects.

The cost of the Certificate of Professional Veterinary Nursing includes:

  • Online access to our Learning Centre
  • Printed Learner’s Guides
  • Access to Nurse Educators & Student Assist for help
  • Through feedback on assessments to further your learning
  • 6 months enrolment period to complete the course (you can extend if you wish, but be aware it attracts a fee).
  • Printed Certificate upon graduation
  • ACVN Goodie Bag upon graduation

We recommend access to a textbook library for further reading but we do include copies of all mandatory textbook chapters necessary to pass the subjects in with your printed learner’s guides.

Note:
Prices include resource fees, tuition, and administration fees. Additional fees may apply if you do not pass a subject, you need to re-enrol in a subject for any reason, or you extend your enrolment period.

Apart from self-satisfaction and an extra achievement to showcase on your resume, you will gain greater confidence in your own nursing skills. Employers will also recognise your dedication to the veterinary nursing profession and your desire to improve patient care. You’ll get to stand out in from the crowd in a very competitive job market.

You will also receive a printed certificate and a little goodie pack.

After graduation you will be able to add CPVN (Specialisation) after your name, indicating your achievements and commitment to your career.

If you are a graduate of the ACVN Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, you will receive a reduced course cost, dependent on the subjects you completed during your training. If you have all 4 included subjects (and they are current versions) you will pay only $295 to bridge the gap to complete the Certificate in Professional Veterinary Nursing program and add CPVN to your name. If you have only some of the subjects, this will be slightly higher. Contact us to get your own custom price.

Yes! We welcome international students.

As an international student, payment plans are not available. You will be required to pay the full course fee prior to starting. We also do not offer the pay in full discount to international students however we do not charge you extra for resources to be sent to you, or for bank fees.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you can legally perform the practical tasks required in your country. In some countries, like the UK, it is illegal for a non-qualified person to perform some of the practical skills necessary to complete the course. Check with your local veterinary surgeons board.

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Unfortunately there is no government funding for this certificate.

I’m ready to learn!

Stand our from the crowd

Add CPVN (Specialisation) after your name and blow away your competition.


You will select the specialisation that interests you during enrolment.


$1210


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interest free payment plan

Start your studies with a first instalment of $260

Then simply pay
5 x $190/month or
10 x $95/fortnight


Total:
$1210

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Important notes:

  1. Prices include resource fees, tuition, and administration fees.
  2. Additional fees may apply if you do not pass a subject, you need to re-enrol in a subject for any reason, or you extend your enrolment period. Refer to the student handbook for other fees.
  3. Prices current from 9th August 2024.
  4. For EU and UK residents only: Prices displayed on this page do NOT include VAT. VAT will be calculated based on your country of residence at enrolment time.

Notes on Payment Plans:

  1. Even if you have completed your studies, you’ll not receive your certificate until you’ve paid for your course in full.
  2. You are also responsible for paying the entire course cost, even if you decide to not complete the full course.
  3. Instalments will start from the month your course commences. Payments are by credit card only and must be setup on an automatic plan prior to starting studying.
  4. If you fall behind in your instalments by more than 14 days without arranging an alternative payment, you may be withdrawn from the course. So it’s important to contact us if you are struggling.
  5. International students are not eligible for instalment plans.
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Veterinary Nursing.
It’s all we do.
Why would you study anywhere else?

Our students are raving about our courses!

The staff are all so knowledgeable and really bring out the best in their students. The response rate for assessment is also fantastic!

Kelly Powell / Arana Hills, Queensland

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

I enrolled with ACVN to upgrade my Certificate IV and study for my Surgical Diploma. I have really enjoyed the in depth learning. The learners’ guides are easy to read and the educators are always available to help with any questions I have. I often find the educators go the extra mile to help and many of them work afterhours on the student Facebook group too.

Naomi Bosveld / Singapore

My first impression of ACVNwas that this is a college offering in depth study with great personal support for their students. I know now that I was 100 % correct in my assumption and have never looked back once. At times the criteria and expectations might be harder than with other institutions but this is only beneficial, making knowledge truly sink in.

Viola Reith / Rossville, North Queensland

OVERSEAS STUDENTS WELCOME!

You don’t need to be living in Australia to study with us. We welcome students from all over the world! You have the same student benefits as a local student, and we don’t charge you huge fees for being overseas. There are however, some considerations you need to factor in before enrolling with us. Please read the Overseas Student Information by clicking the button below.

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