Apr 24, 2024  
2022-2023 University Catalog 
    
2022-2023 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Veterinary Nursing, BSVN


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About the Program

The Veterinary Nursing Program is a science-based veterinary nursing program offering an Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing (BSVN). The Veterinary Nursing Program at Purdue University is designed to allow a student to gain the knowledge, information, and skills necessary to practice as a veterinary technician. It is an AVMA accredited program. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
This unique program is a four-year curriculum with an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) embedded within the Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing degree. Years 2-3 offer students over 1200 hours of clinical experience in Purdue’s Veterinary Hospital.
New beginners (freshman) begin in year one of the curriculum. Students with previous college experience may begin in Year Two. Year Two for all students is a competitive entry process.
For more information, see the Veterinary Nursing website.
Veterinary Nursing Major Change (CODO) Requirements
Careers
As part of the veterinary team, credentialed veterinary technicians perform a wide range of veterinary nursing, imaging, anesthesia, dental hygiene and diagnostic laboratory procedures in a veterinary practice. Other career opportunities include specialty practice, clinic/hospital team leaders, research, veterinary technology program educators, pharmaceutical sales, wildlife rehabilitation, zoo and shelter medicine.
Credentialed veterinary technicians are required to maintain continuing education according to state regulations. Information about continuing education programs is available through the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Office of Lifelong Learning.
The BSVN plan of study in veterinary nursing does not meet the requirements for application to veterinary school to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

Degree Requirements


127.5 Credits Required

Departmental/Program Major Courses (87 credits)


Courses must be taken in specified order.

Veterinary Nursing Selectives


Choose 7 credits from Veterinary Nursing Selectives. 

Other Program Course Requirements (35-38 credits)


Electives (2.5-5.5 Credits)


University Requirements


University Core Requirements


For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the Provost’s Website.
  • Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (BSS)
  • Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM)
  • Information Literacy (IL)
  • Oral Communication (OC)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
  • Science #1 (SCI)
  • Science #2 (SCI)
  • Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
  • Written Communication (WC)

Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement:


The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry.

Students will complete the Proficiency by passing a test of civic knowledge, and completing one of three paths:

  • Attending six approved civics-related events and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Earning a passing grade for one of these approved courses (or transferring in approved AP or departmental credit in lieu of taking a course)

For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.



Prerequisite Information:


For current pre-requisites for courses, click here.


Program Requirements


16-17 Credits


Spring 1st Year


16-18 Credits


16 Credits


14 Credits


Summer between 2nd and 3rd Year


Rotation is 6 wks - Two sections: Weeks 1-6 or 10-15 

3.5 Credits


13.5 Credits


17 Credits


Summer between 3rd and 4th Year


Practicum requirement is 12 weeks 

4 Credits


15.5 Credits


12 Credits


Notes


  • 2.0 Graduation GPA required for Associate in Applied Science degree.
  • The Veterinary Nursing Program has additional academic standards.

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.  Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful.  These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program”. 

Disclaimer


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.

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