1 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
The BSc (Honours) in Veterinary Nursing at Atlantic Technological University is a focused, one‑year advanced programme designed for students who already hold an accredited veterinary nursing qualification. It allows students to elevate their clinical skills, deepen professional knowledge, and prepare for specialised or leadership roles in veterinary practice.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1 (One‑Year Honours):
In this intensive one‑year programme, students engage in advanced veterinary nursing practice and professional development. Core modules include Practice Management & Veterinary Nursing Clinics, where students refine clinical decision-making and client communication; Critical Care Nursing I and II, which focuses on managing critically ill animals; and Pharmacology and Research Project Design, blending practical skills with evidence-based nursing theory. The programme ensures students graduate ready to work confidently and independently in veterinary environments.
Focus areas: Clinical veterinary nursing, critical and emergency care, pharmacology applications, veterinary practice management, evidence‑based nursing research, and professional communication.
Learning outcomes: Graduates will have advanced clinical competencies, the ability to apply evidence-based approaches to patient care, enhanced skills in practice leadership, and readiness for specialised or managerial roles in veterinary settings.
Professional alignment (accreditation): This honours programme builds on a veterinary nursing qualification recognised by the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI), ensuring graduates maintain eligibility for professional registration and practice as veterinary nurses in Ireland.
Reputation (employability rankings): Graduates from VCI‑aligned honours veterinary nursing programmes are highly regarded in clinical practices, animal hospitals, specialised care units, and animal welfare organisations, with strong demand across Ireland and internationally.
At Atlantic Technological University’s Veterinary Nursing programme, students don’t just learn theory — they’re immersed in the hands‑on practical skills and clinical‑ready competencies that matter in animal care. Through structured placements and real‑world interactions with veterinary practices, you’ll develop confidence in clinical nursing, animal handling, diagnostics, and professional communication — all essential for today’s registered veterinary nurse. The course’s accreditation by the Veterinary Council of Ireland means your qualification leads directly toward professional eligibility and career mobility in Ireland and abroad.
Experiential Learning Includes:
Clinical placements and industry exposure: Students typically support veterinary practices during the programme, gaining practical experience in multiple veterinary environments.
Animal nursing and practice skills laboratories: Learn animal nursing care, surgical assisting, anaesthesia, laboratory procedures, and client communication through practical classes.
Species‑diverse clinical techniques: Training covers clinical support for companion animals, and overall veterinary nursing tasks required of registered professionals.
Professional development and communication tools: Practice key workplace skills essential for effective teamwork and client interactions in veterinary environments.
Why Students Choose This Programme
As a BSc (Honours) Veterinary Nursing student at ATU, you’re on a path that leads quickly into professional practice. The programme equips you with the practical, clinical, and ethical foundations to thrive in real animal health settings — whether that’s in small animal clinics, mixed practice hospitals, or welfare organisations. Because the degree is accredited by the Veterinary Council of Ireland, graduates are eligible to register as a veterinary nurse, a crucial step toward a meaningful career in the sector.
Graduates from the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Veterinary Nursing at Atlantic Technological University are well‑positioned for rewarding careers as registered veterinary professionals working with animals and their care teams. Typical roles include Registered Veterinary Nurse, Animal Behaviour Specialist, Veterinary Pharmaceutical Specialist, and Clinic Practice Manager:
• University support for employment: ATU’s Careers Service offers one‑to‑one career coaching, internship support, CV/interview preparation, and employer networking events to help students secure clinical placements and jobs upon graduation.
• Employment & salary: While exact ATU placement stats aren’t published, the Irish veterinary sector consistently shows strong demand for qualified nurses, with registered veterinary nurses in Ireland earning competitive entry‑level salaries reflecting healthcare and animal care professions.
• Industry partnerships: The programme includes multiple veterinary practice placements and work experience with accredited clinics, embedding students directly into real work environments and building professional connections early.
• Accreditation value: ATU’s Veterinary Nursing degree is accredited by the Veterinary Council of Ireland and ACOVENE (EU), ensuring the qualification is recognised nationally and across Europe — a major plus for professional credibility and mobility.
• Graduation outcomes: Graduates enter roles in private veterinary practices, animal shelters, equine centres, and pharmaceutical support services, ready to make a real impact in animal health care.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing this honours degree, students can continue their studies through postgraduate diplomas or Master’s degrees in animal science, veterinary practice management, or animal behaviour, pursue research-oriented Level 9/10 programmes leading to roles in veterinary education, clinical research, or animal welfare policy, or undertake specialist clinical certifications and leadership pathways in advanced nursing, emergency care, or practice leadership.



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