Lecture Hall

ABC/BVNA Animal Nursing Assistant Level 2

This course is aimed at students wishing to pursue a career in animal care within the veterinary industry. It is a recognised vocational qualification, aimed at those students who either do not wish to the do the Advanced Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing or have insufficient GCSE or equivalent qualifications to gain entry on to the Veterinary Nursing Course.

Students wishing to move onto the Advanced Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing on completion of the Animal Nursing Assistant qualification will also be required to hold GCSE’s or level 2 key skills qualifications in English and Maths. Where required, key skills provision can be arranged at an additional charge to the student.

Entry Requirements:

There is no minimum academic entry requirement for this course, but each candidate must be in either full or part time employment (at least 20 hours per week) within a veterinary practice.

Course Content:

The animal nursing assistant course has two elements; a portfolio element comprising of eight case logs and the theory element.

The syllabus comprises of eight units:

  • Unit 1 Anatomy and Physiology of the Dog and Cat

  • Unit 2 Anatomy and Physiology—Reptiles, birds, fish and small animals

  • Unit 3 Veterinary Animal Management

  • Unit 4 Animal Care and Pet Ownership

  • Unit 5 Basic Veterinary nursing Skills

  • Unit 6 Animal Health and Hygiene

  • Unit 7 Veterinary Reception and Administration

  • Unit 8 Veterinary Sales and Finance Skills


    • The Portfolio consists of eight case logs to be completed by the student and submitted to the BVNA. The portfolio must be assessed and passed before achieving the qualification. There will be opportunities in class to develop the portfolio.
    Each case log refers to the units covered in the syllabus:

  • Units 1 and 2 - Short talk
    •                         Dog/Cat Hospitalisation

  • Units 3 and 4 - PET Travel Scheme
    •                         Exotic Hospitalisation

  • Units 5 and 6 - Bandaging
    •                         Zoonotic cases

  • Units 7 and 8 - Client Survey
    •                         Job Application


    The case logs are signed by a mentor within the veterinary practice; this person does not have to be a trained assessor but does have to be a listed veterinary nurse or veterinary surgeon.

    To allow entry to the Advanced Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing the portfolio should be sent well in advance of the exams to ensure certification is gained before September.


    Application Form
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