Certificate Content
Exploring the fundamentals of ECC, the Cert VN ECC delivers theory based, tutor supported online content to develop your skills, confidence, knowledge and understanding of emergency and critical care.
Delivered online over 18 months, with structured and supported learning, the Cert VN ECC is accessible learning that fits around you.
Theory-focused and case-based learning will strengthen your clinical decision-making and enhance your confidence in emergency situations.
We’ve completely reimagined the structure and delivery of the programme to make it more accessible, flexible, and achievable for today’s busy veterinary professionals.
The Cert VN ECC combines advanced clinical knowledge, real-world application, and professional skill development, giving learners the tools they need to thrive in emergency settings, from triage and shock management to intensive care monitoring and advanced nursing interventions.
The core content of the course remains unchanged, meaning you’ll still gain the same essential grounding in Emergency and Critical Care nursing.
Exploring the fundamentals of ECC, you will cover
- Principles of emergency patient assessment and triage
- Pathophysiology of critical illness
- Monitoring and nursing care of the hospitalised patient
- Fluid therapy, shock and stabilisation
- Evidence-based approaches to emergency care
This course doesn’t aim to replace hands-on experience. It enhances it. By strengthening the theoretical foundation behind emergency and critical care, it empowers veterinary nurses to contribute more confidently and effectively within the clinical team.
This is more than a course refresh. It’s a new standard in accessible, flexible veterinary education
We’ve restructured the programme into 8 focused, manageable topics to create a more flexible and engaging learning experience.
Alongside this, the coursework has been completely redesigned to offer a more dynamic and balanced range of assessments: combining immersive case-based assignments, interactive short-answer learning activities, and mid-term papers designed to build confidence by reflecting the style and format of the final examinations.
The curriculum is theory based, to strengthen clinical reasoning and underpinning knowledge. Students will receive full course notes for each outcome; access to a unit forum and a range of learning activities and assessments to support their progression. Students will also receive full access to a huge library of additional resources and recorded webinars.
Progression through the course is demonstrated through completion of the core learning within each unit, alongside a range of formative coursework assessments. These activities are designed to prepare you for the final assessments while strengthening your ability to apply knowledge in practice-based contexts. Assessment submissions enable your tutor to evaluate your understanding in depth, while also providing tailored support, constructive guidance, and developmental feedback throughout the course.
Final award of the Certificate is dependant on successful completion of both final assessment papers
Final assessments are delivered online via Moodle and remotely invigilated by Proctorio. Papers are open book, scenario based, short answer written papers with two sittings a year in March and September.
Students will develop key transferable study skills, including research and referencing. You should expect to spend at least 15-20 hours per week on coursework, reading and research. Good time management skills and a lot of motivation are essential to complete the course, but you will be supported throughout by your tutor and us here at the Centre.
Want to know more?
To give you an idea of what to expect from the coursework you can view our course syllabus and pocketbook. Click on the image below to view details of the course content as well as some key skills and tips, picked out from the course notes.
Approximate length of completion for the course is 18 months with intakes every 6 months in April & October.