Module Information

Module Identifier
VN11100
Module Title
Professional Practice
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Standard operating procedure  1500 Words  50%
Semester Assessment 5 Hours   First aid course  0%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Written exam  50%
Supplementary Assessment Standard operating procedure  1500 Words  50%
Supplementary Assessment 5 Hours   First aid course  0%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Written exam  50%

Learning Outcomes

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

Examine the legal, ethical and professional responsibilities relevant to the role of the veterinary nurse and the wider team.

Appraise the requirements for effective nurse consultations to include the admit and discharge of patients.

Analyse common standard operating procedures and apply them to principles of clinical governance.

Compare and contrast methods of communication with a range of stakeholders and identify principles of record keeping.

Explain the role of the veterinary nurse in euthanasia and analyse the stages of grief.

Examine statutory and industry wide health and safety requirements and apply these to risk management scenarios.

Brief description

The aim of this diverse module is to introduce the ethical, legal and professional frameworks applicable to the role of the veterinary nurse as part of a multidisciplinary team. Professional development and behaviour expected of the veterinary nurse, personal health and health and safety in a clinical setting are included in this module. An insight into professional conduct and regulation, duty of care and negligence will be gained. The development and undertaking of nurse clinics will be explored, with a focus on admitting patients (including informed consent) and discharge. In addition, essential aspects of veterinary business and staff management will be included. Student will be required to complete a 1st aid in the workplace course as part of this module.

Content

1. Aspects of professional and ethical responsibilities
2. Professional conduct and decision-making
3. Veterinary and related legislation
4. Communication and interpersonal relationships
5. Staff management, veterinary business and practice management
6. Applied communication skills (Calgary-Cambridge guide, communication process in simulated scenarios)
7. Risk assessment in the veterinary context
8. Development and running of nurse consultations; admit (including informed consent) and discharge
9. Standard operating procedures
10. Euthanasia and grief
11. 1st aid in the workplace

The following RCVS Day One Skills (DOS) are covered within the content of this module:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12
The following RCVS Day One Competences (DOC) are covered within the content of this module:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 24, 36

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Critical and analytical thinking Writing evidence based SOPs, which is an essential skill for future roles as an RVN.
Professional communication Simulated clinical scenarios and development of communication skills
Subject Specific Skills Application of relevant knowledge regarding current information on legal, ethical and professional requirements within a veterinary business and the ability to recognise own limitations.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4