Veterinary Nursing (AS)

Veterinary Nursing (AS)

Program Objective 

The Veterinary Nursing program prepares students to join an animal-care team as entry-level technicians. Technicians collect samples, perform lab tests, take radiographs, prepare the surgical suite, assist in surgery, monitor anesthesia, provide general nursing care to patients, and assume other clinical duties. Second-year students complete clinical rotations in the Animal Care Center, a pet wellness center on the campus of Johnson College. The program prepares students to become Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVT) upon passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). 

Career Opportunities 

Graduates work in many areas of veterinary medicine such as small and large animal clinics, research facilities, academia, zoos, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

Program Learning Goals

Goal 1: Graduates will be able to function as an entry-level certified veterinary technician in a variety of clinical settings. 

Student Learning Outcomes – Students will:

• Demonstrate competence in the skills needed as outlined by the CVTEA, Policies & Procedures Manual, Appendix G, and required tasks for licensure/certification as an entry level Veterinary Nursing Technician
• Demonstrate preparedness and knowledge of skills based on the 10 VTNE prep exam domain scores 
• Conduct themselves in a manner in accordance with the standards set forth by the AVMA-CVTEA & the Johnson College Veterinary Nursing Program for a Veterinary Technician

Goal 2: Graduates will develop analytical, critical thinking, decision-making and psychomotor skills necessary to perform in the animal health care industry. 

Student Learning Outcomes – Students will:

• Demonstrate competency in medical nursing, surgical nursing & anesthetic nursing 
• Competently perform laboratory procedures 
• Demonstrate proficiency in a pharmacy setting and understand pharmacologic concepts 
• Produce diagnostic images and understand radiologic concepts 

Goal 3: Graduates will contribute as an integral member of a veterinary health care team while adhering to professional and ethical standards including compassion for clients and animals and personal responsibility. 

Student Learning Outcomes – Students will:

• Demonstrate competence in performing hospital and office procedures, maintaining client relations and public communication
• Effectively communicate with the veterinary health care team and maintain a safe work environment for clients, animals and staff
• Demonstrate understanding of the laws, ethics and professional organizations that govern the veterinary profession 

Goal 4: Graduates will obtain the required skills to practice health promotion and animal disease prevention. 

Student Learning Outcomes – Students will:

• Recognize significant zoonotic and animal diseases and the appropriate diagnostics, treatments and prevention of those diseases 
• Contribute to improved public health by promoting biosecurity measures and disease prevention through communication with clients 

Immunizations & Scrubs 

In addition to tuition and fees, students are responsible for the costs of immunizations. Veterinary Nursing students will be required to purchase two sets of Johnson College scrubs to be worn during VET-275/277. The student will also be required to wear these scrubs during the entire 5-week internship (VET-299). The uniform company will come onto campus to fit the students and place orders.

Programmatic Accreditation 

The Veterinary Nursing program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). 

Special Admissions Requirements 

A minimal high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 along with a minimal Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of 900 (math and verbal) total or; Placement Exam in lieu of SAT scores or; a minimal American College Test (ACT) of 18 is required for admission. 

• 1 year of Algebra with a 76% or higher 
• 2 years of English with a 76% or higher 
• 2 years of Biology or a Life Science with a 76% or higher 
• Recommended: 1 year of Chemistry with a 76% or higher 

Applicants must take 2 years of Biology and/or Life Sciences, and attain a grade of 76% or higher. A completed Veterinary Nursing questionnaire must be submitted and ten hours of observation at a veterinary clinic is required. Any personal references must be from a veterinarian/veterinary staff or animal husbandry individual. 

Special Program Enrollment Requirements 

Prior to the start of the first term, students must provide proof of current tetanus and rabies inoculations. The Center for Disease Control considers individuals working with animals (including veterinarians and their staff) to be in the high-risk category. The CDC’s recommendation for these individuals is to obtain a primary course of rabies vaccinations followed by serologic testing or booster vaccination every two years. Rabies inoculation is required in order to participate in any laboratory and clinical activities involving animals. 

Academic Progression Policy

Students are required to show both didactic and clinical development each term in order to progress through the Veterinary Nursing Program and must meet the following criteria.

• Students MUST PASS each VET/MAT-205 didactic course and laboratory/clinical course with a final grade of at least C+ (76%) or higher. 
• Students can retake a failed course once. If the student does not pass the course (C+ or better) on their second attempt, the student will be dismissed from the VEN program.
• Students cannot fail (final grade of C or lower) more than 2 VET courses (MAT-205 included).
• Students cannot withdraw from more than 2 VET courses (MAT-205 included) for academic deficiency reasons.
• Students must pass each major assessment (exam, final exam, research paper, case study, project, etc. as defined on course syllabi) for every VET course (MAT-205 included) with a grade of at least 76%.
• The following actions will occur if a student does not pass major assessments with a grade of at least 76%: 

1. Students who score less than a 76% on any major assessment must meet with the course instructor, review the assessment, develop a remediation/action plan and sign up for mandatory tutoring.  *Failure to respond to the instructor request (feedback on D2L for the specific assessment) to schedule a meeting within 3 business days will result in a grade reduction for the assessment by 5% for each day.
2. Students who score less than a 76% on a second major assessment must repeat step #1 above, meet with the Program Director to discuss the student’s academic standing and ability to successfully complete the course and program. 
3. Students who score less than a 76% on a third major assessment will be required to withdraw from the course.  See Course Withdrawal Policy below.
   • If this occurs after the JC withdrawal date (see academic calendar), the student must remain in the class, receive the highest possible grade of “C” regardless of actual grade earned, and will need to repeat the course.

• Failure to complete either steps #1 or #2 of the Policy, within 5 school days, will result in a 5% penalty on that assessment, every day until the step(s) are completed.  The course instructor has the right to waive the penalty based on the situation (student illness, emergency, etc.).
• Successfully complete all items listed on the AVMA Essential Skills List as authorized by the course instructor.

• The student MUST maintain a GPA each term of 2.33 or greater, in VET/MAT-205 courses, or be placed on academic probation.
• The student MUST demonstrate appropriate professional behaviors according to the Professional Conduct Policy and the Veterinary Nursing Code of Ethics.
• The final decision is at the discretion of the Program Director.

If a student fails to meet the criteria listed above, their academic standing in the Veterinary Nursing Program may be affected, including, but not limited to delayed expected date of graduation, academic probation, and/or academic dismissal. Please refer to the Johnson College catalog for more information regarding program scope and sequence and policies.

Course Withdrawal Policy

Any student who withdraws from a course (lecture or lab) during a term will be allowed to complete the matched lecture or lab course that term. When a student withdraws from a lecture course, that lecture course must be retaken for a letter grade. The matched lab course, if completed successfully, will not need to be retaken. When a student withdraws from a lab course, that lab course must be retaken for a letter grade and the matched lecture course must be retaken as an audited course. Students who withdraw from matched lecture and lab courses must retake both courses for a letter grade.

Internship 

A five-week internship at an approved site must be completed after the last term of the second year. Students must satisfy the internship requirements of both Johnson College and the internship provider as a condition of graduation. 

Some internship sites may require a criminal background check and/or a drug test. Internship sites may bar students from an internship if a criminal record exists or a drug test has a positive result. Costs for travel to and from an internship site are the responsibility of the student. 

Student Handbook 

Veterinary Nursing students are responsible for reading and abiding by all policies and procedures in the Veterinary Nursing Student Handbook. 

2025-2026 Program Scope

2025-2026 Program Sequence

*Must be taken concurrently with VET-275 in either Term 3 or 4