About this course

The course begins with a compulsory preparatory week that combines theory and practical training.

Students are divided into groups and rotate between the various clinics and departments at NMBU Veterinary School throughout the entire period, according to the established schedule.

The practice locations have been selected to ensure students gain a varied and comprehensive practical experience. This practice also forms the foundation for the next two practice periods in the second and third years of study.

During the rotation, students will spend two weeks in internal practice as part of the course DYR202 Laboratory Animal Science (in groups, according to the rotation schedule). See the course description for DYR202 for details.

Learning outcome

After completing the practice period, students should be able to:

  • Assist the veterinarian during examination and treatment of patients, as well as before and after surgeries
  • Assist in the treatment of minor illnesses and injuries
  • Perform blood sampling and carry out certain laboratory tasks
  • Handle medications in practice, including injection techniques such as s.c., i.m., and i.v.
  • Provide care and maintenance for hospitalized patients (small animals, horses, and production animals)
  • Establish and follow proper hygiene routines in the clinic
  • Advise clients on normal feeding and behavior in dogs and cats
  • Handle horses and have knowledge of horse care and feeding
  • Take radiographs of small animals and understand health and safety aspects related to radiation

The course DYR205 aims to help students acquire competencies described in the following ACOVENE Competences from the Dossier of European Competences for the Veterinary Nurse:

  • EC 1: Health and safety
  • EC 2: Developing personal performance and maintaining working relationships
  • EC 3: Carry out veterinary reception duties
  • EC 4: Manage clinical environments for procedures and investigations
  • EC 6: Provide and administer nursing care
  • EC 7: Supporting clients in caring for animals
  • EC 8: Perform laboratory diagnostic tests
  • EC 9: Prepare for diagnostic imaging techniques and conduct radiography on animals
  • EC 10: Prepare for veterinary surgical procedures
  • EC 11: Assist the veterinary surgeon during surgical procedures
  • EC 13: Dispense and administer medication

  • Learning activities

    • Compulsory introductionweek before clinical practice
    • Compulsory clinical practice
    • Written submissions:
      • Journals
      • Evaluations
      • Practical skills lists
    • Reflection seminars

    Any changes to submission requirements will be announced on Canvas.

  • Teaching support

    The students are followed up throughout the clinical period through assessments of evaluation forms and other documentation.

    All rotations must have a designated student supervisor who is responsible for monitoring the student and the clinical training. The student supervisor must be a Norwegian licensed veterinary nurse with a minimum of one year of professional experience.

    The course coordinator is available by email.

  • Syllabus

    A list over recommended litterature is published in Canvas.

  • Prerequisites

    Students must have participated in a safety course for stable practice (compulsory tuition in the block before the rotations begins).

  • Assessment method

    There is no exam in the course.

  • About use of AI

    K2 - Artificial intelligence (AI) may be used for language editing when writing clinical records. It is expected that the student independently produces the assignment and identifies relevant sources. The student bears full responsibility for the content submitted.

    Descriptions of AI-category codes.

  • Mandatory activity

    Submissions in the course:

    All written submissions in the course are mandatory and must be approved in order to pass the course. Deadlines for submissions are published on Canvas.

    The submissions consist of:

    • Written skills lists documenting the skills acquired during the practice period.
    • Medical records.
    • Evaluation forms.
    • Certain submissions related to each specific rotation.

    Absence rules:

    Attendance is mandatory for the entire practice course.

    Valid absence is defined as follows:

    • Valid absence includes: Your own illness and illness of a child under 12 years of age.
    • Other special circumstances, demanding student duties, political engagement, and elite athlete status must be clarified with the Study Administration in advance to be approved as valid absence.

    Invalid absence or unacceptable behaviour/attitudes in the clinic is not permitted (see regulations for suitability assessments).

    Absence must be reported immediately to the relevant clinic (student responsible).

    The student may use three self-certified sick days for their own illness, child’s illness, or funerals in the immediate family. At least 14 days must pass between each self-certification period. Absence beyond these three days must be documented with a medical certificate.

    To obtain valid absence, documentation (self-certification or medical certificate) must be sent to the Study Administration VET (studieveileder-vet@nmbu.no) within five working days.

    Repetition of absence:

    • Invalid absence = Must be fully made up.
    • 0-10% valid absence = The course responsible will assess whether the practice must be made up.
    • 11-20% valid absence = Must be fully made up. The student must arrange the repetition with the practice clinic and ensure that the repetition form is completed and submitted to studieveileder-vet@nmbu.no
    • More than 21% valid absence = Practice course not passed.
    • Mandatory activities not approved = The course responsible will assess whether the practice must be made up.

    Application for accommodation in practice courses:

    Exemptions from practice are not granted due to health or other reasons, but accommodations may be applied for — for example, completing the practice over a longer period. Applications and documentation from a doctor/health professional must be sent to studieveileder-vet@nmbu.no.

    Passing the course:

    The practice course is passed when all study requirements are approved, mandatory activities are completed, and the student demonstrates the skills and attitudes expected after completing the practice.

    Progression requirements:

    Students who have not passed the first clinical practice period may not start the second year of study before all absence has been made up and the clinic has been passed. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the course responsible in time to ensure that any absence can realistically be made up.

  • Notes

    Equipment Requirements

    Workwear are borrowed from the clinics. Detailed information about each rotation/clinic department is to be found on Canvas. Students are expected to follow information and routines provided by the clinics.

    Som clinical equipment must be proveded by the student:

    • Name tag (full name + "dyrepleierstudent")
    • Notebook and pen (pocket size - A6)
    • Nurse watch with second hand
    • Scissors (blunt)
    • Comfortable shoes (small animals)

    Recommended:

    • Rectal thermometer
    • Stethoscope

  • Preferential right

    B-DYR.

  • Admission requirements

    The course is exclusively for veterinary nursing students and requires that the student meets the progression requirements described in the study plan.