Our Equine Veterinary Nursing course aims to provide veterinary nurses with an introduction to the fundamentals of equine nursing. During the course, you will be given the resources and tools to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of how to work effectively in equine veterinary practice.
Are you a qualified vet nurse (newly graduated or experienced), wanting to make the transition from small animal practice to equine practice? Have you recently made the transition and want to better understand the key aspects of vet nursing in an equine veterinary setting? Are you an experienced equine nurse who wants to solidify your knowledge working with horses further?
Study mode: Online
Study time: Self-paced (6-12 months)
Application status: Apply now
Contents: 8 units covering the aspects of equine practice
CPD Points: 20 AVNAT Points
Prerequisite: Veterinary Nursing Qualification (ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or equivalent)
This equine veterinary nursing course is ideal for:
“Huge thanks to AVT for acknowledging the skills imbalance and supply shortages our industry is facing. As education and training play a significant role in labour supply, this course will allow employees to instil more of the specialised knowledge, technical skill and confidence employers are seeking.”
Paul O’Callaghan, Director, Perth Equine Hospital, WA
Ann-Marie Moyles, Dip VN RVN
Ann-Marie graduated with a Diploma in veterinary nursing from University College, Dublin, Ireland in 2009. Originally working in mixed practice in Ireland, she perused a passion for equine nursing during her travels in Australia. This journey has continued over the past ten years both in private and referral teaching hospitals in Perth, WA. Spending five of those years as the head equine nurse at ‘The Animal Hospital”, Murdoch University.
She has a passion for empowering fellow equine nurses with knowledge and expanded her skillset to do so by completing Graduate Certificate in Tertiary and Adult Education at Murdoch University in 2019 and RCVS examiner training programme in 2009. Along with presenting at both the VNCA and Bain Fallon conferences, delivering both lectures and workshops.
Liz Woodberry, BscBVMS (Veterinary medicine and Surgery)
Liz graduated in 2007 from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. With a passion for equine practice, she spent 10 years working in a mixed practice (equine and small animal) south of Perth. Developing a special interest in equine reproduction. She is currently working as Head Veterinarian at the largest thoroughbred breeding studs in Western Australia.
Liz has always enjoyed helping the next generation of vets and nurses achieve their potential. As a result, she completed her Certificate IV in Training and Assessing. Between breeding seasons she assists in delivering practical skills classes to the undergraduates at Murdoch Veterinary School along with training and assessing our Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing students at AVT.
The course material is written for students with existing veterinary nursing skills. To enrol in this course you will need to have successfully completed a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or equivalent qualification or equivalent skills and knowledge.
You will be required to submit a copy of your Certificate at the time of enrolment.
If you believe you have the equivalent skills or knowledge or equivalent education you will be required to provide supporting documentation of equivalent studies. This includes items such as:
If you are unsure if you meet the entry requirements and would like to discuss your individual situation with us, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly student support team.
To allow for self-paced learning you will have access to pre-recorded tutorials and practical ‘how to videos’. You will also have access to a discussion forum to engage with Module Tutors.
Each unit will be accompanied with a short multiple choice (MCQ) quiz to confirm your understanding of the topics covered.
You will also be required to purchase the mandatory course reading, Equine vet nursing By Karen M. Coumbe
All learning is completed via home-based online eLearning. This means you can study part time, at your own pace to accommodate your busy life working as a veterinary nurse.
The curriculum reflects the demands on equine veterinary nurses in practice in Australia. During this course you will learn how to:
This is a great place to start if you are a small animal veterinary nurse who would like to start working with horses. For more inspiration on working with horses, check out our blog post: Ten Rewarding Careers that Involve Working with Horses.
So where do equine vet nurses work in Australia? Equine vet nurses and our students go on to a variety of roles across the veterinary and equine industry.
Careers in this area are diverse. You might find yourself working in a role such as:
Opportunities are available in a number of areas. You might find yourself working in a/an:
The Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Regulatory Council has allocated 20 AVNAT CPD points to this continuing education activity.
Your course includes 8 units including those listed below:
In this unit, you will learn the following aspects of equine hospital management and nutrition:-
In this unit, you will learn the following aspects of general equine nursing:-
In this unit, you will learn the following aspects of equine critical care and emergency nursing:-
In this unit, you will learn the following aspects of equine laboratory diagnostics
In this unit, you will learn the following aspects of equine orthopaedic nursing:-
In this unit, you will learn the following aspects of medical nursing:-
In this unit, you will learn the following aspects of equine surgical nursing:-
In this unit, you will learn the following aspects of equine reproduction and neonatal care:-
All course fees include:
Full fee paying student
Total Course Cost: $1,200
$250 enrolment fee payable upfront, plus 4 monthly payments of $237.50
AVT current student or graduate
Total Course Cost: $995
$250 enrolment fee payable upfront, plus 4 monthly payments of $186.25
Enrolling more than 1 employee from your organisation?
Take advantage of our group discount from 10-20% off our total course cost. Contact our student support team for more information.
*Fees, inclusions and payment plan amounts are subject to change. If you decide to withdraw from study for any reason, refunds are not issued. Please see our policies page for full details.
Short courses offered by Applied Vocational Training require students to learn and demonstrate knowledge and practical application of a significant amount of Australian local and state legislation, regulations and standards.
In other countries, legislation, regulations and standards are often different, making it difficult for us to assess and recognise competence in all areas.
As such, Applied Vocational Training does not accept applications from students living overseas*
* Individuals who currently live overseas but are intending to return and or/live in Australia may be considered for enrolment. If such enrolment were to occur it would not be possible for any certification to be awarded until the student could be assessed as competent in Australia, regardless of the amount of course work completed overseas.
AVT has been training Animal Care and Vet Nursing students for over 25 years. It's safe to say there are no plumbing or hairdressing courses here!
Our qualified Trainers and Assessors have been working in the industry for many years and have extensive knowledge in the equine veterinary and veterinary nursing industry.
Our qualified teaching team have many years of experience as well as extensive backgrounds in the veterinary and equine industry. They are dedicated to helping students succeed.
About Horse Care Fundamentals
About Vet Nursing
The leader in delivery of Australian Nationally Recognised Qualifications including ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (formerly Animal Studies), ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, ACM40818 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training.
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) delivers a range of qualifications and short courses for students wishing to pursue a career working with animals.
AVT is a Registered Training Organisation based in Perth, Western Australia, providing on-campus and online courses to students studying throughout Australia. More about us →
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land where our campus is based, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and we commit to walking alongside our indigenous brothers and sisters. We extend that respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in our community.
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) is proudly a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 5273).
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