Veterinary Nursing

[Marteen]

Hi MIriam,

Thanks for getting back to me on the options of Veterinary Medicine. I have another question for you.

Say I did the Ordinary Degree in Veterinary Nursing and a few years after I graduated it was upgraded to an Honours Degree would my qualification still be an Ordinary Degree or would it be upgraded to an Honours Degree?

Thanks for your help,
Marteen.

[Marteen]

Hi again Miriam,

I just got an e-mail from Gráinne O' Malley, head of the science department in Athlone IT. She said that Veterinary Nursing will not become an honours degree. However she said that graduates of Veterinary Nursing can apply for a 1 year add-on to BSc (Hons) Agricultural Science. Now I couldn't find the course so e-mailed her back asking her where exactly on the website is the information for this course. So I have to hear back from her yet.

So I was wondering if there is a 1 year add-on course in Agricultural Science would that mean that I would have an Honours Degree in Agricultural Science and am able to apply for Graduate entry in Veterinary Medicine?

Thanks for your help,
Marteen.

[Miriam]

Hi again, Marteen. I doubt if the Ordinary degree (Level 7) in Veterinary Nursing in AIT would become a 4 years' Honours degree but that suggestion that Grainne O'Malley made does sound interesting. I suppose she was referring to UCD's degree? That Honours degree, the BAgrSc (DN010) can be entered through the PLC FETAC Level 5 route also if you did not have the points for it which were 320 in 2006 (which you actually do). The FETAC Level 5 PLC in question is Applied Science - Laboratory Techniques (Code: CASLT). You would have to get distinctions of 80% or better in a minimum of five modules in the qualification which must include distinctions in the following modules: C20006 Biology, C20011 Chemistry, C20048 Physics and C20139 Mathematics. There is a common first year in the degree DN010 and you can choose which of the other Agriculture/Animal related degrees you would like to continue with at the end of first year. That would include the two degrees I already mentioned to you in my previous posting. About the extra year "add-on" to make your ordinary degree into an honours degree, you had better check that again with Grainne O'Malley (or UCD) to see if AIT have an arrangement with UCD for that to happen. If it is possible, then, with your honours degree, you could apply for the Graduate entry to the Veterinary Medicine degree. There were only 5 places last year so the competition will be fierce and also the cost so start saving! Miriam

[Marteen]

Hi Miriam,

I got an e-mail from Gráinne O' Malley last night. I had e-mailed her about the 1 year add-on BSc (Hons) Agricultural Science. She said that it can be done in Athlone IT. They were just approved for it last Friday.

It seems an awful long slog going the Graduate entry route. 4 years doing your primary degree, then another 4 years Veterinary Medicine and that's only if you pass the GAMSAT test.

I know I said in my Veterinary Medicine forum that I didn't want to do my Leaving Cert again unless I had to. It's looking like the easier option. 5 places isn't much so it's no wonder there's stiff competition for them.

Is it realistic of me to think that I could get enough points to get into Veterinary Medicine if I repeat? Has it been done before by people who got around 360 points like me the first time round and increased their points by over 560?

I feel a bit silly repeating my Leaving Cert at 22. I know I shouldn't but I wished I had the sense to have repeated straight after the first time I did my Leaving Cert.

Thanks again Miriam,
Marteen.

[Miriam]

Hi again, Marteen. Well, I believe that people have done it. It depends on how motivated and hard working you are. The Institute of Education seems to be the main place where these successes come from but Ringsend and Rathmines VEC Colleges of FE also offer excellent repeats. Another excellent repeat is down in St.Laurence College, Loughlinstown with the Marianists. They get some spectacular results also. Have a chat with them at 01-282 6930 for more information. That is very interesting news about the "add-on" extra year in Athlone. Thank you for telling me about it. Yes, the graduate route to Vet Med is very long with no guarantees. The Vet Nursing in AIT did need 360 in 2006 and that is what you have so I hope they will not go up. If they do, you could apply as a mature student there for next year if you will be 23 before 1st Jan 2008. You could also apply to AIT with a FETAC Level 5 PLC which contained the two modules Maths (C20139) and Biology (C20006) with a merit. Miriam

[Marteen]

Hi Miriam,

Thanks for that. Yeah it is interesting about the 1 year add-on BSc (Hons) Agricultural Science course. I have Veterinary Nursing down on as my number 1 preference for the CAO but I've been thinking lately that for the skills that a veterinary nurse has the pay doesn't reflect this, which is a real pity.

I know it shouldn't be about the money but veterinary nurses do pretty much the same things that human nurses do just on animals. And it isn't all about cuddling little puppies and kittens as some people think it is because I did work experience with two different veterinary clinics.

Anyway you've been a great help as always Miriam,

Marteen.