AIT veterinary nursing degree receives VCI accreditation

The Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary nursing at Athlone Institute of Technology has been accredited by the Veterinary Council of Irelandbecoming the first such degree programme to be accredited by the statutory body. All current students on the three-year Level 7 degree in Athlone will be eligible to register as veterinary nurses in the VCI"s register. Graduates from 2008 will be required to undertake a top-up course, to be offered by AIT. The first two years of graduates (2006-07) are currently on a provisional register with the Council and have the option of undertaking the top-up programme. Details of this further course will be announced shortly. According to the Veterinary Council, AIT had taken 'due cognisance of the requirements of the Council to ensure that veterinary nurses who work in the State have the knowledge, skills and competence necessary to support and contribute to the high regard with which the veterinary profession is held in this country.' The Academic Registrar at AIT, Dr Joseph Ryan, said: 'AIT has pioneered the development of veterinary nursing training and education at degree level. This accreditation is in recognition of the quality of the academic programme, as well as the excellent tuition and facilities offered in Athlone. The institute is committed to ensuring that its students benefit from the best possible education and that the qualification they receive has the appropriate academic, professional and statutory recognition.' The veterinary nursing degree continues to be one of the most popular programmes at AIT, said Dr Brian Murphy, Head of Department of Life and Physical Science. 'Students on the degree have a very broad spectrum of interests ranging from the care of small through to large animals, practice management and animal welfare. In common with our other programmes, the veterinary nursing degree gives students access to specialist, as well as mainstream science and non-science careers,' he stated.