Prior to studying at Sparsholt University Centre, I had completed my A-levels and spent a gap year travelling. Following this, I volunteered at Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital helping sick or injured wildlife to be released back into the wild. This allowed me to further my passion for helping animals.
I decided to come to University Centre Sparsholt as a previous alumni had told me about the benefits of training at Sparsholt, including a wide range of facilities enabling extensive and varied learning, a variety of animals on site, and the convenience of location due to accessibility of travel routes. The structured timetable and lesson plan was also appealing to ensure appropriate study time alongside the course. This made it perfect for myself to achieve my goals.
The Veterinary Nursing Centre was very appealing to enable myself to get an idea of a clinical practice environment and learn the practical knowledge needed for veterinary nursing. The tutors were very supportive, with good communication ensuring 1-1 tutorials were provided if needed and plenty of exam and assignment support. Lastly, the course enabled myself to meet many likeminded people, which was appealing to me starting a new career.
Sparsholt enabled me to learn a wide range of skills which prepared me for clinical practice as a veterinary nurse including laboratory techniques, husbandry for a variety of species, anatomy, legislation in practice, diagnostic imaging, surgical theatre and anaesthesia knowledge, animal behaviour, pharmacology and infection and non-infectious diseases. This is required daily as a veterinary nurse so therefore this was a valuable part of the training.
After completing the course, I enjoyed the fact Sparsholt offered many other opportunities alongside studying. This included the option to visit London Vet show which was very immersive and the ability to do a trip to either Shamwari Conservation Experience in South Africa or the LAST Conservation in Costa Rica. This was a very nice opportunity to see the veterinary industry from different perspectives, before working in a clinic. Sparsholt also offers the chance to further the foundation degree by specialising in different topics as a postgraduate and the chance to train as a Clinical Coach in practice.
Being a Sparsholt graduate enabled me to achieve my ambitions by immediately finding work in a veterinary practice as a Registered Veterinary Nurse after graduating. I was well supported throughout my learning, which I believe was imperative to finishing my course and enabled me to get a Distinction. Furthermore, applying my learning and helping patients has resulted in me being nominated for the Petplan Vet Nurse of the Year award.
Find out more about Veterinary Nursing Science courses at University Centre Sparsholt.