Veterinary Nursing

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).

Our Veterinary Nursing program graduates enter the region’s workforce at locations such as Bloomsburg Veterinary Hospital in Bloomsburg, PA, Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital in Plains, PA, and Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center in Clarks Summit, PA. 

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:

• Demonstrate competence is 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:

• 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.

Internship

A five-week internship at an approved site must be completed after the last semester 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.

Retention

Veterinary Nursing students are required to maintain a cumulative 2.33 GPA (76% or higher) in VET & MAT courses.  Additionally, a student must receive an average grade of “C+” (76%) or higher in each VET & MAT courses. If the student’s GPA falls below 2.33, the student will be placed on academic probation.  The following semester, your GPA must be brought up to a cumulative 2.33 in all courses listed above or you will be dismissed from the program.  If a student receives a grade below a “C+” (76%), the student must re-take the course at their own expense in order to successfully complete the program. Please review to the Veterinary Nursing Academic Progression Policy for details concerning academic progress and probation details.

VET 275 and VET 277, Senior Clinical Rotations I and II are capstone courses.  clinical experiences are to provide an environment allowing students to incorporate and enhance all AVMA required tasks.  Students must receive a score of 76% or better on Clinical Rotation written final exams, oral/practical exams, and instructor evaluations of students.  Students who do not obtain a minimum score of 76% in any of the three evaluations will receive a letter grade of “F” for the rotation and must repeat the course.  Students are also required to adhere to strict guidelines on patient neglect or cruelty.

Admissions Requirements

Special Program Enrollment Requirements – Rabies / Tetanus 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.

Vaccinations against tetanus and rabies are required for all Veterinary Nursing students. Proof of rabies and tetanus inoculation is required prior to participating in any laboratory or clinical activities involving animals.

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; a minimal American College Test (ACT) of 18 is recommended for admission. If SAT/ACT test were never taken, an online exam will be provided by the Recruitment Advisor. A score of 21 or above is recommended for English and 18 or above for Math.

• 1 year of Algebra with a “C+” or higher
• 2 year of English with a “C+” or higher
• 2 years of Biology or a Life Science with a “C+” or higher
• Recommended: 1 year of Chemistry with a “C+” or higher
Applicants must take 2 years of Biology and/or Life Sciences, and attain a grade of “C+” or higher.

Student must submit the following required documents before their application file will be reviewed:

• High School Transcripts
• SAT/ACT/online test scores
• A completed Veterinary Nursing questionnaire

It is recommended that students also complete observation hours. Although they are not required, they are a great opportunity for prospective students to learn more about the profession and will add to their application file.

Course Outline

For course descriptions, please visit the Course Catalog.