Principles of Veterinary Nursing

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
VETS 1005
Course ID icon
Course ID
204976
Campus icon
Campus
Roseworthy Campus
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Animal and Vet Sci
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Courtnay Baskerville
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

This course introduces veterinary professionals to the foundational knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours essential for safe, ethical, and sustainable clinical practice. Guided by the principles of clinical governance, students will learn to identify and manage Work Health & Safety risks, apply evidence-based resources to support clinical decision-making, and reflect on the responsibilities of veterinary professionals. Through practical workshops and simulated clinical scenarios, students will develop introductory competence in foundational veterinary medicine procedures, including principles of patient nursing care.

The course also fosters cultural understanding and inclusivity to empower students to enhance human-animal bond-centred veterinary care in our communities. Team-based practice is emphasised throughout, preparing veterinary professionals to engage with the evolving landscape of veterinary medicine and contribute meaningfully to a collaborative future.

Course learning outcomes

  • Locate, interpret, and critically evaluate evidence-based resources to inform clinical decision-making and to enhance veterinary practice and standards of animal welfare in a clinical setting.
  • Identify and manage Work Health & Safety risks (including psychosocial) in veterinary settings, demonstrating a foundational understanding of legal and ethical practice and animal welfare obligations to ensure safe, ethical, and sustainable practice.
  • Demonstrate introductory competence in foundational veterinary medical procedures including principles of patient nursing care and clinical data management, and the use of computerised patient record systems.
  • Reflect on the roles and responsibilities of veterinary professionals within a collaborative team, applying the principles of clinical governance to support accountable practice, continuous improvement and the delivery of safe, high-quality veterinary care.
  • Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and the broader community, adapting style and approach to meet diverse cultural contexts, promote and enrich the human-animal bond, and support inclusive, community-focused, team-based veterinary care.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Roseworthy Campus

Class number
Class number 26697
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 100
Available
Available 100
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 27 Mar Friday 8:10am - 9am Roseworthy Campus MyUni, Online
10 Apr - 17 Apr Friday 8:10am - 9am Roseworthy Campus MyUni, Online
8 May - 29 May Friday 8:10am - 9am Roseworthy Campus MyUni, Online
Notes:
Available to Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) and Bachelor of Veterinary Technology students only.
Class number
Class number 26698
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Mar - 6 Mar Friday 9:10am - 12:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G31A/G31B
20 Mar - 20 Mar Friday 9:10am - 12:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G31A/G31B
10 Apr - 10 Apr Friday 9:10am - 12:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G31A/G31B
15 May - 15 May Friday 9:10am - 1pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G31A/G31B
22 May - 22 May Friday 9:10am - 12:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G31A/G31B
Class number
Class number 29926
Section
Section PR02
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Mar - 6 Mar Friday 9:10am - 12:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G12
20 Mar - 20 Mar Friday 9:10am - 12:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G12
10 Apr - 10 Apr Friday 9:10am - 12:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G12
15 May - 15 May Friday 9:10am - 1pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G12
22 May - 22 May Friday 9:10am - 12:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G12
Class number
Class number 29928
Section
Section PR03
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Mar - 6 Mar Friday 1:10pm - 4:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G31A/G31B
20 Mar - 20 Mar Friday 1:10pm - 4:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G31A/G31B
10 Apr - 10 Apr Friday 1:10pm - 4:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G31A/G31B
15 May - 15 May Friday 1:10pm - 5pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G31A/G31B
22 May - 22 May Friday 1:10pm - 4:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G31A/G31B
Class number
Class number 29927
Section
Section PR04
Size
Size 50
Available
Available 50
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Mar - 6 Mar Friday 1:10pm - 4:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G12
20 Mar - 20 Mar Friday 1:10pm - 4:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G12
10 Apr - 10 Apr Friday 1:10pm - 4:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G12
15 May - 15 May Friday 1:10pm - 5pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G12
22 May - 22 May Friday 1:10pm - 4:30pm Roseworthy Campus Williams Building, G12
Class number
Class number 26699
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 100
Available
Available 100
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 27 Feb Friday 9:10am - 12pm Roseworthy Campus Information Centre, G03
27 Feb - 27 Feb Friday 1:10pm - 5pm Roseworthy Campus Information Centre, G03
13 Mar - 13 Mar Friday 9:10am - 1pm Roseworthy Campus Information Centre, G03
27 Mar - 27 Mar Friday 9:10am - 12:30pm Roseworthy Campus Information Centre, G03
27 Mar - 27 Mar Friday 1:40pm - 5pm Roseworthy Campus Information Centre, G03
17 Apr - 17 Apr Friday 9:10am - 1pm Roseworthy Campus Information Centre, G03
8 May - 8 May Friday 9:10am - 1pm Roseworthy Campus Information Centre, G03
29 May - 29 May Friday 9:10am - 1pm Roseworthy Campus Information Centre, G03

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed VETTECH1035RW Principles of Veterinary Nursing at the University of Adelaide

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