Yearbooks

Programme: University Diploma Veterinary Nursing

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
08120002 Faculty of Veterinary Science
Credits Duration
Minimum duration of study: 2 years

Programme information

This programme is accredited with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC). 
Each student must apply immediately after registration at UP to the Registrar of the South African Veterinary Council for registration as a student in Veterinary Nursing. Registration is compulsory and must be renewed annually for the duration of the study.

After the diploma has been conferred, diplomats are required to register with the South African Veterinary Council as veterinarian nurses before they may practise in South Africa in this capacity.

Also refer to:

UP General Regulations and Rules
http://www.up.ac.za/yearbooks/rules/content/R02

Examinations and related matters
https://www1.up.ac.za/cs/groups/staff/@contrib/documents/document/mdaw/mdm5/~edisp/uppr039909.pdf

Admission requirements

  • A valid NSC/IEB/Cambridge qualification with university admission is required for all school-leavers who do not have higher education experience. The APS is calculated from the achievement levels obtained in the six 20-credit subjects of the NSC excluding Life Orientation. Minimum admission requirements appear in the table below. All years of study are presented at the Onderstepoort Campus of the University of Pretoria.

    A total of 50 students will be admitted to the programme. The Faculty endeavours to meet the veterinary nursing needs of the country and the specific requirements of higher education legislation through the selection of applicants. The recruitment and selection process is therefore structured in such a way that it will address access, diversity and excellence.

    The procedure is reviewed on an annual basis and makes provision for the following categories of students:

    ?. School-leavers

    ?. Students with previous higher education exposure

    ?. International students

    ?. Students nominated by bursars (for example the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

  •  Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
Minimum requirements 
Achievement level
English Mathematics Life Sciences Physical Science APS
NSC/IEB HIGCSE AS-Level A-Level NSC/IEB HIGCSE AS-Level A-Level NSC/IEB HIGCSE AS-Level A-Level NSC/IEB HIGCSE AS-Level A-Level
4 3 D D 4 3 D D 4 3 D

D

4 3 D D 24
NBT compulsory as part of the selection process.

Additional requirements

Students are admitted annually after selection according to the approved procedure.
Each student must apply, immediately after first admission, to the Registrar of the South African Veterinary Council for registration as a student in veterinary nursing. Registration is compulsory and must be renewed annually for the duration of the study.
After the diploma has been awarded, diplomates are required to register with the South African Veterinary Council as veterinary nurses before they may be employed in South Africa in this capacity.

Examinations and pass requirements

Refer to UP General Regulations and Rules

  1. Attendance of all lectures, practicals, and clinical duties is compulsory. Any form of absence must be justified by submission of a medical certificate or valid documentation, within 3 working days after returning. Failure to comply may result in examination refusal.
  2. No minimum semester/year mark is required for admission to the examination.
  3. The semester/year marks and examination mark will count 50% each towards the final mark.
  4. A student is required to obtain a subminimum of 40% in the examination as well as a final mark of at least 50% to pass a module. A subminimum of 40% in subdivisions of theoretical and/or practical examinations may be required as stipulated by the Dean in consultation with the head of department concerned, and as set out in the study guide.
  5. A student must pass all the modules of the respective previous year of study in order to be promoted to the subsequent year of study, as well as to the clinical rotations.
  6. A student who fails a module or modules in a year of study, has to repeat all the failed modules for that particular year of study.
  7. The content, format and duration of the supplementary, extra-ordinary, and/or special examination will be similar to that of the examination, except for oral examinations, where the supplementary, extra-ordinary, and/or special examination may be in a different format.
  8. Students who have obtained a semester/year mark of 65% or more in a particular module may be promoted according to UP’s General Regulations. Departments will be allowed to use discretion in this regard.  The rule will be stated in the study guide of the respected module.
  9. Examinations are conducted as stipulated in the Faculty Calendar.
  10. A student will not be allowed to repeat the same year of study twice.

Practical/clinical/internship information

Proof of satisfactory completion of all prescribed clinical and practical components of the programme, must be submitted to the Head: Student Administration of the Faculty.

Pass with distinction

The DVN is conferred with distinction on a student who has obtained a cumulative weighted average of at least 75% over the two years of study.

Minimum credits: 129

Fundamental modules

Core modules

  • Module content:

    Basic anatomy and histology. Gross anatomy is based on dissection of the dog but includes applicable comparative anatomy of the horse and ruminant. Offered for DipVetNursing students.

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  • Module content:

    Professional ethics, human relations, responsibilities towards the employer, the patient and the clients.Disinfection and hospital hygiene. General safety aspects and preventative measures during observation, hospitalisation, basic nursing procedures and treatment of patients. Administration and record keeping. Reporting to the veterinarian using correct medical terminology. Arrangements regarding the transportation of patients.

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  • Module content:

    Fundamental principles of Pharmacology required by veterinary nurses. The basic study of groups of functional, systemic and chemotherapeutic drugs used in domestic animals. Regulatory requirements, control and use of veterinary medicines by veterinary nurses.

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  • Module content:

    An elementary module in the physiology and physiological chemistry of the most important physical systems of domestic animals.

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  • Module content:

    Fundamental reproductive physiology and endocrinology of the male and female domestic animals. The oestrous cycle, monitoring thereof and principles of oestrus control. Artificial insemination of the cow, ewe and bitch. Physiology and endocrinology of pregnancy, pregnancy diagnosis and care of the pre- and post-partum animal and neonate. Normal parturition and care of the animal during parturition and puerperium. Basic obstetrics and reproductive emergencies. Basic principles of collection, examination and storage of semen. Infertility of female and male animals.

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  • Module content:

    Specimen collection and dispatching, maintenance and handling of laboratory equipment, quality control, record keeping, basic haematology, elements of transfusion medicine, urinalysis, coprology, basic cytological principles, aspects of clinical chemistry.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to the viral, bacterial and fungal agents that cause diseases in animals and introduction to the most important infectious diseases of domestic animals. Elementary knowledge of immunology, theory and effects of antiseptic techniques, zoonoses and epidemiology. Transmission and prevention of these diseases.

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  • Module content:

    Theoretical aspects of intensive care nursing, including fluid therapy, cardiovascular and pulmonary resuscitation, nutritional therapy, recognition and treatment of shock. Monitoring of patients.

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  • Module content:

    Elementary helminthology, ectoparasitology and protozoology. Theoretical and practical studies on the most important parasites of domestic animals, the diseases they cause or transmit and methods to control them.

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  • Module content:

    Theatre ethics.
    Basic principles of aseptic techniques. Types of surgical infections and their causes. Theatre management, hygiene and routine. Care of patients in the theatre. Lectures are offered by various departments.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to veterinary ethology.
    Applied ethology of companion animals (dogs, cats, horses) and applied production animal ethology (cattle, sheep, pigs), including livestock, breeds, behaviour, breeding, feeding and care of each species.
    Lectures are offered by the departments of Companion Animal Clinical Studies and Production Animal Studies.

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Minimum credits: 163

Core modules

  • Module content:

    The classification, complications and treatment of inflammation, wounds, bleeding, fractures and dislocation. Healing of wounds. Healing of different types of tissue. Surgical terminology. Examining a traumatised patient. Ocular emergencies.
    General surgical conditions and procedures of the thorax, abdomen, head and neck, skin, vertebral column and motor system. Nutrition of surgical patients. Surgical nursing of companion and production animals. Bandaging large and small animals. Dental hygiene. Physiotherapy. Pre-operative and post-operative nursing.
    Lectures offered by various departments.

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  • Module content:

    Clinic management, practical instruction, patient care and nursing procedures in the reproduction clinic.

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  • Module content:

    Emergency treatment and nursing care of companion animal and production animal patients.  Assisting with and performing diagnostic procedures. Lectures are offered by the departments of Companion Animal Clinical Studies and Production Animal Studies.

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  • Module content:

    The physiology and signs of anaesthesia.
    Anaesthetics, methods and apparatus of anaesthesia. Anaesthetising and monitoring anaesthesia. Preparation and after-care. Anaesthetic emergencies.

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  • Module content:

    Generating röntgen rays and their properties. Protective measures. Manipulating exposure factors. Positioning. Purpose and maintenance of accessories. Films, contrast media, development and evaluation of the quality of röntgen photographs. Basic principles of diagnostic ultrasonography.

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  • Module content:

    Principles of sterilisation and disinfection. Surgical instruments, equipment, accessories and its maintenance and care. Suture materials and suturing. Professional responsibility.

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The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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