Hartpury University proudly announces that its Veterinary Nursing programmes have been fully reaccredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) Veterinary Nurse Education Committee (VNEC) for the next five years.

Earlier this year, a panel of five RCVS experts conducted a thorough three-day evaluation of Hartpury’s Veterinary Nursing programmes. The evaluation included visits to three veterinary nursing placement practices. As a result, the following programmes received full accreditation:

  • BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing
  • BSc (Hons) Equine Veterinary Nursing
  • Diploma in Professional Studies in Veterinary Nursing
  • Diploma in Professional Studies in Equine Veterinary Nursing

Key Commendations

The RCVS panel commended Hartpury University on several aspects of its veterinary nursing department:

  • Dedicated Staff: The commitment and enthusiasm of the university’s staff in delivering veterinary nursing degrees were highly praised.
  • Student Wellbeing: The comprehensive mental and physical wellbeing support available to students, both on campus and during placements, was recognised.
  • Effective Induction Policy: The staff induction policy was commended for its effectiveness, with positive feedback from newly appointed staff members.
  • Integration of Coaching: The inclusion of coaching in the BSc/BSc (Hons) programmes was identified as a key strength, appreciated by students from both year 1 and year 4 cohorts.
  • Placement Provision: The clear and well-documented placement provision was noted, with the placement team being commended for its proactive support in identifying placements and ensuring students develop transferable employment skills.

Positive Feedback from RCVS

Catherine Phillips, Head of Veterinary Nursing at Hartpury University, expressed her satisfaction with the reaccreditation. “We’re delighted to receive full accreditation for our veterinary nursing programmes. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, who are committed to delivering an exceptional educational experience for our students,” said Phillips.

She added, “We’re proud of the positive feedback received from the panel of experts, particularly regarding our focus on student wellbeing – something that my colleague Suzannah Harniman, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Hartpury University, has explored in her own research activities. I was also pleased to see acknowledgement from the panel relating to our coaching as well as the provision of high-quality placements. This accreditation reaffirms our commitment to producing skilled and compassionate veterinary nurses who go on to make a significant impact in the field.”