About this course

The duration of the course is 10 weeks: 9 weeks of external clinical placement and 1 week of rehabilitation training. See the semester plan for details.

Clinical practice at external veterinary clinics that are pre-approved by the NMBU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

The main focus of this placement is anesthesia and pain management, infection control, rehabilitation, laboratory work, and administrative competence related to clinic operations, in addition to further training in veterinary nursing skills. By the end of the placement period, the student is expected to be able to perform all tasks typically carried out by a veterinary nurse in a small animal clinic. Emphasis is placed on generic competencies and an understanding that veterinary medicine must be research‑based.

The course includes a rehabilitation course organized by the NMBU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Learning outcome

Aim: To provide the students with knowledge and practical experience with the running of a clinic and with medical treatment of animals.

Learning outcomes. Having followed the course, students should:

  • Have good knowledge and skills in anesthesia and pain relief.
  • Have good knowledge and practical skills in infection control.
  • Have knowledge of rehabilitation.
  • Have good knowledge and practical skills in laboratory work and using diagnostic aids.
  • Have knowledge of fundamental principles of administration and the running of a clinic.
  • Have knowledge of reception work.
  • Be able to reflect on and evaluate their own skills and limitations.
  • Be able to communicate professionally with colleagues and the public.
  • Have an understanding and motivation for lifelong learning and professional development.
  • Have an understanding of the importance of research based knowledge.

DYR207 will help the students acquire the skills and knowledge described in the following ACOVENE Competences from ACOVENEs 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 5 Providing emergency first aid to animals .
  • 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 12 Assist in the provision of anaesthetics to animals
  • EC 13 Dispense and administer medication

  • Learning activities

    Practical instruction in the clinic and mandatory submissions.

    Specific skill requirements are given in lists made accessible in Canvas.

  • Teaching support

    The students are followed up through questionnaires, assessments of evaluation forms, and other mandatory submissions.

    All clinical placement clinics must have a designated student supervisor who is responsible for following up 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

    List of recommended literature is available in Canvas.

  • Assessment method

    There is no final examination in the course.

    Practice Grading: Passed / Not Passed

  • 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

    Attendance rules:

    Attendance throughout the entire internship course is mandatory.

    Valid absence is defined as follows:

    • Valid absence includes: the student’s own illness and illness of a child under 12 years of age.
    • Other special circumstances, demanding student roles, political engagement, or elite athlete status must be approved in advance by the Study Department in order to be considered valid absence.

    Invalid absence or unacceptable behavior/attitudes in the clinic is not permitted (see rules for suitability assessment).

    Absence must be reported immediately to the relevant clinic (the person responsible for students).

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

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

    Make-up of absence:

    • Invalid absence = Must be made up in full.
    • 0-10% valid absence = The course coordinator will assess whether the internship must be repeated.
    • 11-20% valid absence = Must be made up in full. The student must arrange the repetition with the internship clinic and ensure that the repetition form is completed and submitted to studieveileder-vet@nmbu.no
    • 21% valid absence = Internship course not passed.

    Non-approved mandatory activities = The course coordinator will assess whether the internship must be repeated.

  • Notes

    Workwear according to current regulations, as agreed with the external clinic in question. Name plate with full name and "veterinary nursing student". Bandage scissors. Nurse watch with seconds hand. Notepad and pencil.

    Stethoscope and thermometer is recommended, but not required.

  • Preferential right

    B-DYR.

  • Admission requirements

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