ICTQual Level 7 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal)
The ICTQual Level 7 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) is a high‑level qualification designed to equip veterinary nurses with advanced expertise in the care of companion animals. Building on foundational nursing skills, this diploma develops specialist knowledge in clinical assessment, diagnostics, anaesthesia, surgical nursing, pharmacology, and rehabilitation, with a strong emphasis on evidence‑based practice and welfare standards.
Learners will explore complex case management for dogs, cats, and small mammals, gaining the ability to critically evaluate treatment options and contribute to advanced patient care. The programme also integrates leadership and professional development, preparing graduates to mentor junior staff, oversee clinical audits, and take on management or consultancy roles within veterinary practices and hospitals.
Preventive healthcare and welfare are central to the diploma, ensuring nurses can design and implement strategies that promote long‑term wellbeing for companion animals. Ethical decision‑making, communication with owners, and collaboration with veterinary surgeons are embedded throughout, reflecting the realities of modern veterinary practice.
Aligned with international standards and professional frameworks, the ICTQual Level 7 Diploma provides graduates with the skills to influence practice culture, contribute to research, and engage with professional networks. It is ideal for veterinary nurses seeking to advance their careers, specialise in companion animal healthcare, and make a meaningful impact on the profession.
Level 7 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal)
To enrol in ICTQual Level 7 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal), learner must meet the following entry requirements:
This qualification, the ICTQual Level 7 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal), consists of 6 mandatory units.
- Advanced Companion Animal Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
- Clinical Assessment, Diagnostics, and Evidence‑Based Nursing Practice
- Advanced Anaesthesia, Analgesia, and Surgical Nursing for Companion Animals
- Pharmacology, Therapeutics, and Medicines Management in Companion Animal Practice
- Companion Animal Rehabilitation, Preventive Healthcare, and Welfare Strategies
- Leadership, Professional Practice, and Research in Veterinary Nursing
Learning Outcomes for the ICTQual Level 7 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal):
Advanced Companion Animal Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
- Critically analyse advanced anatomical and physiological structures of dogs, cats, and small mammals
- Evaluate how pathophysiological changes impact clinical presentation and patient outcomes
- Apply anatomical knowledge to complex diagnostic and nursing interventions
- Integrate understanding of disease mechanisms into evidence‑based nursing care plans
- Assess the relationship between nutrition, physiology, and companion animal health
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of pain pathways and their relevance to nursing practice
- Relate anatomy and physiology to safe handling, restraint, and clinical procedures
- Critically reflect on how pathology informs preventive healthcare strategies
Clinical Assessment, Diagnostics, and Evidence‑Based Nursing Practice
- Conduct advanced patient assessments using structured frameworks and diagnostic tools
- Interpret laboratory results, imaging, and clinical data to support veterinary decision‑making
- Apply evidence‑based nursing principles to complex companion animal cases
- Critically evaluate diagnostic accuracy and its impact on patient care
- Develop nursing care plans that integrate clinical findings with welfare considerations
- Demonstrate advanced monitoring and reporting skills in clinical environments
- Collaborate with veterinary surgeons to refine diagnostic and treatment strategies
- Reflect on case outcomes to improve future nursing practice
Advanced Anaesthesia, Analgesia, and Surgical Nursing for Companion Animals
- Prepare companion animals for advanced anaesthesia and surgical procedures
- Monitor anaesthesia using advanced techniques and interpret complex data sets
- Apply multimodal analgesia strategies to optimise patient comfort and recovery
- Maintain aseptic techniques and surgical theatre protocols at postgraduate level
- Support advanced surgical interventions, including orthopaedic and soft tissue procedures
- Recognise and respond to anaesthetic emergencies with critical decision‑making skills
- Evaluate post‑operative recovery protocols and implement evidence‑based improvements
- Document anaesthesia and surgical nursing activities to audit and compliance standards
Pharmacology, Therapeutics, and Medicines Management in Companion Animal Practice
- Critically evaluate pharmacological principles and therapeutic applications in companion animals
- Analyse drug interactions, contraindications, and adverse effects in complex cases
- Apply advanced knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to nursing practice
- Ensure safe administration, storage, and disposal of medicines in compliance with regulations
- Promote responsible medicine use and antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practice
- Maintain accurate medicine records aligned with legal and ethical frameworks
- Communicate effectively with owners about medicine use, risks, and compliance
- Contribute to policy development on medicine management within veterinary teams
Companion Animal Rehabilitation, Preventive Healthcare, and Welfare Strategies
- Design and implement rehabilitation programmes for companion animals recovering from surgery or illness
- Apply advanced preventive healthcare strategies including vaccination, parasite control, and nutrition
- Critically evaluate welfare standards and ethical principles in companion animal nursing
- Promote dental care, behavioural health, and long‑term wellbeing through nursing interventions
- Monitor rehabilitation progress and adapt care plans based on evidence and patient response
- Educate owners on responsible healthcare practices and welfare responsibilities
- Collaborate with welfare organisations to strengthen community outreach programmes
- Reflect on the nurse’s role in advancing welfare standards internationally
Leadership, Professional Practice, and Research in Veterinary Nursing
- Demonstrate leadership in managing nursing teams and clinical operations
- Mentor junior nurses and students, fostering professional growth and competence
- Apply ethical decision‑making and professional behaviours in complex clinical scenarios
- Conduct clinical audits and contribute to quality assurance in veterinary practice
- Engage in research projects that advance companion animal nursing knowledge
- Publish case studies, articles, or guidelines to influence the wider profession
- Participate in conferences, workshops, and professional networks to share expertise
- Critically reflect on personal leadership style and its impact on practice culture
Completing the ICTQual Level 7 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) places graduates at the very forefront of companion animal healthcare. This advanced qualification not only deepens clinical expertise but also empowers professionals to step into leadership, consultancy, welfare, and research roles. Graduates are prepared to influence standards, mentor the next generation of veterinary nurses, and contribute meaningfully to the profession both locally and internationally.
- Work in specialist companion animal hospitals or referral centres, supporting complex surgical and medical cases such as orthopaedic procedures, oncology treatments, advanced diagnostics, and intensive care management.
- Take on senior nursing responsibilities in anaesthesia, intensive care, pain management, and rehabilitation, applying advanced monitoring techniques and evidence‑based protocols to ensure patient safety and recovery.
- Progress into supervisory or management positions within veterinary practices, overseeing nursing teams, coordinating clinical operations, implementing quality assurance systems, and ensuring compliance with professional standards.
- Act as a consultant or advisor on nursing protocols, welfare standards, and regulatory compliance, guiding veterinary practices, welfare organisations, and companion animal businesses in adopting best‑practice frameworks.
- Contribute expertise to animal welfare charities, rescue centres, and community outreach programmes, advising on healthcare strategies, rehabilitation plans, and welfare audits to improve companion animal wellbeing.
- Lead preventive healthcare initiatives such as vaccination campaigns, parasite control programmes, dental health awareness, and owner education, promoting responsible pet ownership and long‑term wellbeing.
- Provide training and mentoring for junior nurses, veterinary students, and practice staff, delivering structured guidance, CPD workshops, and professional development programmes to raise standards across the sector.
- Engage in clinical research projects, audits, and evidence‑based studies that advance companion animal nursing knowledge, focusing on areas such as pain management, rehabilitation, and welfare improvement.
- Publish case studies, articles, or best‑practice guidelines in professional journals or online platforms, influencing the wider veterinary profession and contributing to the evidence base in companion animal nursing.
- Participate in conferences, workshops, and professional networks, sharing expertise, presenting research, and building collaborations that strengthen professional practice and innovation.
- Collaborate with industry bodies and international organisations to strengthen veterinary nursing standards globally, contributing to policy development, welfare frameworks, and international best‑practice initiatives.