Veterinary Nurse
VETERINARY NURSES
REGULATIONS
Requirements for registration to practise a para-veterinary profession: Veterinary Nursing Diploma
21A. Requirements for registration
- Any applicant that applies for registration as a veterinary nurse shall submit a certificate of competence in mathematics and physical science or biology issued for school leaving purposes by a competent secondary level schooling authority of South Africa.
- The veterinary diploma referred to in regulation 21 which entitles a candidate to register as a veterinary nurse shall -
- comprise of the completion of at least two academic years of study as a registered veterinary nursing student; and
- be constituted of the subject courses specified in Table 7.
- A student shall work a minimum period of 14 days in a private veterinary hospital or a veterinary clinic under supervision of a registered veterinarian.
- Upon completion of a veterinary nursing diploma a registered veterinary nursing student may, if the examining authority is satisfied that the provisions of the Act and these regulations have been successfully complied with, be registered as a veterinary nurse in terms of the Act.
21B. Curriculum requirements
The curriculum of any university that offers a course for study for qualification as a veterinary nurse in terms of regulation 21 shall comprise of the subject courses specified in Table 7.
21C. Examination
- The examination for the diploma shall include examination in the subject courses specified in Table 7.
- If the examination consists of a practical and a theoretical part, a minimum mark of 40 percent shall be obtained in each part.
- At least two examiners, one of whom was not involved in the teaching of the subject to the candidate, shall participate in the evaluation of each subject.
- A candidate shall pass an examination in a subject if at least 50 percent of the maximum marks obtainable in the examination for that subject, is obtained.
TABLE 7
Subject course |
Minimum equivalent *semesters |
Contents and instructions |
A. THEORY 1. Anatomy |
3 2 |
Theoretical instruction shall extend over a minimum period of the equivalent of 3 semesters. |
2. Pharmacology |
1 |
(a) The principles of pharmacology. |
3. Physiology |
2 |
An elementary course in the physiology and physiological chemistry of the most important body systems of domestic animals. |
4. Veterinary ethology |
1 |
(a) Introduction to veterinary ethology. |
5. Laboratory technique |
1 |
(a) Care and handling of laboratory apparatus. |
6. Microbiology |
1 |
(a) Elementary bacteriology, virology, immunology and epidemiology. |
7. Parasitology |
1 |
Elementary parasitology. |
8. General nursing |
1 |
(a) Ethical aspects, client relations, responsibilities towards the employer, patient and client. |
9. Medical nursing |
1 |
(a) Theoretical aspects of intensive care nursing, fluid therapy, blood transfusion, blood-bank, cardiovascular and pulmonary resuscitation, diet therapy, recognition and treatment of shock. |
10. Surgical nursing |
1 |
(a) The classification and treatment of inflammation, wounds, haemorrhage, fractures and dislocations. |
11. Theatre practice |
1 |
(a) Operating theatre management. |
12. Anaesthesia |
1 |
(a) The physiology and signs of anaesthesia. |
13. Radiography |
1 |
(a) The generation and properties of X-rays. |
14. Theriogenological nursing |
1 |
(a) Elementary reproductive physiology and endocrinology of male and female domestic animals. |
B. CLINICS |
2 |
(a) Experimental study of inpatients and outpatients. |
* One semester is equivalent to 6 calendar months.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION TO PRACTISE A PARA-VETERINARY PROFESSION
[REG.21 AND 27]
Degree, Diploma or certificate |
University or other educational institution |
Para-veterinary profession |
Designations reserved |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Dip.Cur.Anim. |
Univ. of Pretoria, South Africa |
Veterinary Nurse |
Veterinary nurse, animal nurse |
National Diploma in Veterinary Technology |
Department of National Education, after examination based on education received at a Technikon in the Republic |
Veterinary Technologist |
Veterinary Technologist |
National Diploma in Laboratory Animal Technology |
Technikon South Africa |
Laboratory Animal Technologist |
Laboratory Animal Technologist |
B.Sc. Agric (Animal Health) |
University of the North West |
Animal Health Technician |
Animal Health Technician |