2023-2024 Academic Catalog
Division of Agriculture
Veterinary Nursing - On-Campus Associate of Applied Science
Total Credits 88
The Associate of Applied Science On-Campus Veterinary Nursing Program is designed to graduate up to 24 students per year; therefore, enrollment is limited. It is designed to prepare graduates to become credentialed veterinary nurses. Veterinary nurses are important members of the veterinary health care team who are trained to perform all veterinary tasks allowed by state law except surgery, diagnosis, and prescribing medication, as these tasks are limited to licensed veterinarians. Veterinary nursing students are educated in many areas such as animal nursing, anesthesia, surgical nursing, radiology, clinical pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, and animal diseases. Students receive hands-on experience throughout the entire program with college-owned animals, large and small, including laboratory animals, exotic animals, and birds. The knowledge students gain in the classroom is applied in laboratory sessions designed to develop clinical skills. Guiding them along the way is an experienced and recognized team of instructors who care about their students’ success. Accreditation The Colby Community College On-Campus Veterinary Nursing Program is accredited by the AVMA CVTEA as a program for educating veterinary technicians. An Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Nursing is earned by those completing this course of study. Graduates take the Veterinary Technician National Examination and state qualifying examinations to become credentialed veterinary technicians. Credentialing requires continuing education, adherence to strict ethical and legal codes and a degreee from an AVMA accredited Veterinary Technology/Nursing program. Graduates may become members of the Kansas Veterinary Technicians Association, which sponsors annual continuing education seminars for its members. The program is directed by a Kansas licensed veterinarian. All clinical instruction is taught by Kansas licensed veterinarians and credentialed veterinary technicians in a contemporary veterinary teaching hospital and clinical pathology laboratory utilizing modern veterinary equipment. In addition to the main 60-acre campus in Colby, the college operates a 60-acre agricultural center east of the city. Students in the On-Campus Veterinary Nursing Program utilize the college farm as a hands-on laboratory for their large animal coursework. Associate of Applied Science: Veterinary Nursing Program Goals 1. 2. 3. 4.
Educate students in many areas including animal nursing, anesthesia, analgesia, pain management, surgical nursing, emergency medicine, dentistry, radiology, clinical pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, and animal diseases. Prepare individuals to work in a variety of settings within the veterinary medical field. Establish a strong foundation of knowledge in which graduates can build upon with advanced education opportunities. Develop a veterinary nurse with compassion for their veterinary patients and their patient’s caretakers. Admissions Procedure This program requires selective admission.
Entrance Requirements: Minimum academic qualifications are a high school diploma or GED, a composite ACT score of 18 or higher, or a 2.5 GPA or higher in the last 12 hours of required Veterinary Nursing Program prerequisite courses. (See program of study for a list of required general education courses.) Applicants must qualify to enroll in EN176 English Composition I which requires one of the following: 1. Completion of EN176 English Composition with a “C” or better. 2. Have an Accuplacer Reading and Writing score of 255 or above. 3. Have an ACT English score of 18 or higher and an ACT Reading score of 18 or higher. Students are required to complete the pre-exposure human rabies immunization series or submit proof of a protective rabies antibody titer prior to live animal use. Applicants must qualify to enroll in MA109 Math for Veterinary Nurses, which requires: 1. Completion of a college math class at the Beginning Algebra level or higher with a grade of “C” or 2. higher. Have an Accuplacer math score of 220 or higher. 3. Have an ACT math score of 14 or higher. Application Procedure 1. Complete the college’s application for admission 2. Complete the On-Campus Veterinary Nursing Program application packet: a. Special application for the On-Campus Veterinary Nursing Program, including resume and paragraph on goals and expectations b. Completed reference forms from two references c. Completed reference waiver/non-waiver d. Completed veterinary practice observation/work experience form e. Official ACT scores f. Official high school transcripts g. Official college transcripts The deadline for submitting the completed application is March 15. Applications received after the March 15 deadline will be accepted on a spaceavailable basis. The procedure for evaluating applicants is stated in the On-Campus Veterinary Nursing Program application packet. Deferred Enrollment Students who have been provisionally accepted into the Veterinary Nursing Program may elect to defer enrollment for one year prior to the original spring semester (third term) starting date for their graduating class. Students must notify the Program Director in writing of their intent to defer enrollment at least four weeks prior to the start of fall (second term) classes. The open position will then be offered to the next qualified applicant on the waiting list. Colby Community College uses mandatory placement in English and math. Students who are required to take developmental courses may not be able to complete this program as outlined.
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