Module Information

Module Identifier
VN10820
Module Title
Preparing for Placement
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Professional Discussion  15 Minutes  50%
Semester Assessment Portfolio  1500 Words  50%
Supplementary Assessment Professional Discussion  15 Minutes  50%
Supplementary Assessment Portfolio  1500 Words  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Examine the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct and appraise the legal and ethical responsibilities of the student veterinary nurse in the workplace.

Identify the need for evidence based veterinary nursing and analyse how this can be applied to the learning environment.

Appraise the Professional Behaviours and Attributes expected of veterinary nurses and identify opportunities for the development of these as an individual.

Examine the impact of mental health on wellbeing, physical health and resilience.

Identify examples of quality improvement in the practice setting an analyse methods of ensuring and monitoring compliance.

Explain delegation in veterinary practice and examine requirements of Schedule 3 in the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Brief description

The aim of this module is to prepare students for their time in veterinary practice. It is essential that SVNs work within their legal and personal capabilities, and as such an emphasis on the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and important legislation such as the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 will ensure that students understand their professional obligations and what is expected of them. The module also starts to explore the term ‘evidence-based veterinary nursing’ in more detail and allows discussion around areas that this can be applied both whilst on work placement and in the future as part of the quality improvement cycle in veterinary practice. Finally, an emphasis on mental and physical wellbeing will be explored, with consideration of wellbeing models such as Schwartz Rounds and occupational health on day-to-day practice. Students will be supported in their RCVS enrolment process during this module, and the process of placing students into training practices for the year placement will commence, starting with CV development and individual tutorials to start matching students based on geographical location and preference. Introductions to the online Nursing Progress Log (NPL) will be made and relevant documents that must be completed whilst on placement, such as the training record card.

Content

1. Evidence-based nursing
2. Quality improvement and clinical governance
3. RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses
4. Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 including Schedule 3 and delegation
5. Reflection and reflective cycles
6. Mental and physical wellbeing
7. Resilience
8. Professional behaviours
9. Work experience in a clinical setting including CV writing and interview skills
10. Introduction to the NPL

The following RCVS Day One Skills (DOS) are covered within the content of this module:
2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 3.1
The following RCVS Day One Competences (DOC) are covered within the content of this module:
1, 2, 3, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Creative Problem Solving Considering legal and ethical dilemmas and how evidence-based nursing can be utilised in day-to-day practice with quality improvement in mind.
Reflection Reflection of own behaviours in relation to the RCVS Professional Behaviours and Attributes and considering how these could be further developed individually.
Subject Specific Skills Professional discussion of the legislation and frameworks that are relevant to veterinary nursing

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4