Dec 09, 2024  
2023-2024 University Catalog 
    
2023-2024 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 (freshmen) are admitted to year one of the curriculum. Year Two requires 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

Veterinary Nursing Selectives


Choose 7 credits from Veterinary Nursing Selectives. 

Other Program Course Requirements (35-38 credits)


Electives (2.5-5.5 Credits)


Grade Requirements


  • All courses must be completed with a grade of D- or higher.
  • Any retaken course must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
  • A successful application for competitive entry into Year 2 requires a C- or higher in the following courses: BIOL 11000, BIOL 11100, CHM 11100/CHM 11200 or CHM 11500/11600, MA 15300, ENGL 10600 or ENGL 10800, COM 11400.

GPA Requirements


  • 2.0 Graduation GPA required for Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing degree.

Course Requirements and Notes


  • Courses must be taken in specified order.

Pass/No Pass Policy


  • No courses may be taken under the Pass/No Pass grade except the following: VM 10900, VM 41001, VM 41003, VM 44400.

Transfer Credit Policy


  • No transfer credit is allowed for any BMS, CPB, VCS, or VM course.

University Requirements


University Core Requirements


For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the University Senate 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. For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.

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).

Upper Level Requirement


  • Resident study at Purdue University for at least two semesters and the enrollment in and completion of at least 32 semester hours of coursework required and approved for the completion of the degree. These courses are expected to be at least junior-level (30000+) courses.
  • Students should be able to fulfill most, if not all, of these credits within their major requirements; there should be a clear pathway for students to complete any credits not completed within their major.

Notes


  • The Veterinary Nursing Program has additional academic standards, found here.​​​​​​​

Sample 4-Year Plan


16-18 Credits


Spring 1st Year


16-17 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


4 Credits


15.5 Credits


12 Credits


Pre-Requisite Information


For pre-requisite information, click here.

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.

Consultation with an advisor may result in an altered plan customized for an individual student.

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

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