Emergency cases are often the most demanding (and rewarding!) patients you’ll encounter in practice. They test your skills, challenge your instincts, and give you the chance to make a real difference when it matters most.
The Emergency and Critical Care Nursing Program is designed for veterinary nurses and techs who want to feel more confident and capable in high-pressure situations. Whether you’re in general or referral practice, this program will deepen your understanding of emergency and critical care nursing and help you respond swiftly, calmly, and effectively.
Through a series of focused modules, you’ll explore the key principles of emergency nursing care—learning how to recognise and manage a wide range of critical conditions. Topics include medical emergencies, surgery, anaesthesia and diagnostic imaging. Each module is designed to strengthen both your theoretical knowledge and practical decision-making, so you can apply what you learn directly in practice.
By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped not just with advanced clinical knowledge, but with the confidence to act decisively and advocate for your patients when they need it most.
This program is accredited with the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS) meaning you can achieve a Nurse Certificate or Vet Tech Certificate (NCert/VTCert) while you study.
Please note that ISVPS registration and examination fees are not included in the course fees.
For all enquiries about ISVPS requirements, contact [email protected].
Register your interest to receive program updates.
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September 2026
Key Learning Objectives:
Speaker: Elle Haskey (RVN BSc(hons) PGCert FHEA VTS(ECC) VPAC A1)
October 2026
Key Learning Objectives:
Speaker: Elle Haskey (RVN BSc(hons) PGCert FHEA VTS(ECC) VPAC A1)
November 2026
Key Learning Objectives:
Speaker: Thomas Towey (BVMS CertAVP(ECC) MRCVS Advanced Practitioner in Emergency & Critical Care)
December 2026
Key Learning Objectives:
Speaker: Amy Homer (RVN MScVAA GradDipVN NCertACC PGCert Pain PGCert AP FHEA)
January 2027
Key Learning Objectives:
Speaker: Prof. Simon Girling ( BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS)
February 2027
Key Learning Objectives:
Speaker: Ludivine Boiron (DVM, MSc, DipECVECC, DipACVECC )
March 2027
Key Learning Objectives:
Speaker: Victoria Maund (BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN, Dip HE CVN, VTS (SAIM), Cert VN ECC, PGCert Vet Ed., RVN)
April 2027
Key Learning Objectives:
Speaker: Elle Haskey (RVN BSc(hons) PGCert FHEA VTS(ECC) VPAC A1)
May 2027
Key Learning Objectives:
Speaker: Elle Haskey (RVN BSc(hons) PGCert FHEA VTS(ECC) VPAC A1)
Full Payment Upfront: Total payable AU$4,950 inc GST.
ISVPS registration & examination fees are not included in this price.
AU $500 initial deposit will secure your place. The full balance of fees ($4,450) must be paid prior to the program start date (no program access will be granted until full payment is received).
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST.
ISVPS registration & examination fees are not included in this price.
Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings.
Please find the terms and conditions here.
You need to have achieved your primary vet nurse or vet tech qualification to be eligible to enrol and undertake the program and ISVPS exams.
Nursing Programs – you must hold a recognised Veterinary Nurse qualification (e.g Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing).
Vet Tech. Programs – you must hold a recognised Veterinary Technician/Technologist qualification.
These programs are postgraduate study and require learners to have a sound knowledge of veterinary nursing, including basic anatomy and physiology.
Proof of qualification will be required by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies to sit the exam. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the program.
You can enrol directly via our website, from the program page. Our team will invoice you for the program and once agreed fees are paid, you can join the global program. Please reach out to the team at [email protected] if you have any questions on how to do this.
As a private education provider, Improve Veterinary Education Australia is not part of the national HECS scheme.
Payment plans are done on a case by case basis and program access is given only after ALL enrolment fees are paid. Please be aware any payment plans incur additional fees.
Most delegates complete the program within a 12–18-month time period (depending on course start and assessment dates). Delegates have 3 years access to taught modules from program start date.
An additional 52 hours of self-study over most programs is recommended. You will also require access to journals and articles via an internet library service.
Online Nursing/Tech program candidates have access to the RCVS Knowledge Library. Delegates will be required to register via the online learning platform once they are enrolled in the program. Other internet library services are available (e.g. PubMed; Google scholar) which may incur an additional registration fee.
Any deferral requests are considered on a case by case basis by the UK Improve Veterinary Education Team, who manage the Online Programs. If deferral is agreed, it will include additional administration fees and charges. Specific modules of the program can not be deferred.
Yes, we do accept limited late admissions (subject to availability). If you join late, you will be required to catch up on the module content that you have missed. Please be aware that although discussion forums can be access after the module is finished, the Specialist Tutors are only available for questions during the month their module is being delivered.
The majority of the NCert/VT Cert programs are a minimum of 100 CPD hours (approximately 48 hours of delivered sessions and 52 hours self-study time).
Please note that the CPD hours depend on the number of modules, which can vary. Check the program details on the specific webpage.
Yes, the CPD points allocated to any programs that are RACE approved are eligible to count towards the 20 CPD points that are required annually by Vet Nurses/Technicians to keep their AVNAT registration.
The content for the Nurse/V Tech Online Programs covers the global syllabus for the ISVPS Certificates.
This means there is material in the program that may be referable to UK/Europe and other regions. All program materials are accessible for the ISVPS qualification.
No, you don’t need to be available at the time of the webinar. Any live content is recorded and can be watched at any time. This gives you the flexibility to study when and where you want, and to structure your learning around your busy work and life schedules.
The NCert / VTCert is the ISVPS postgraduate qualification awarded to veterinary nurses / technicians who successfully complete the accredited training program from Improve Veterinary Education and complete the required ISVPS assessments for the Certificate.
To obtain either the NCert or VTCert delegates will be required to:
For the most up-to-date information on the ISVPS assessments for the NCert/VTCerts please contact ISVPS directly at [email protected] or visit the ISVPS website.
Registration and associated assessments with ISVPS are optional but strongly encouraged.
Delegates who choose NOT to register with ISVPS will receive an acknowledgement of their ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) hours from Improve Veterinary Education.
Delegates ARE NOT eligible to receive the postgraduate qualifications (NCert or VTCert) in their chosen discipline, without fulfilling the ISVPS requirements.
Registration is made directly with ISVPS once you are enrolled in the Online Learning Program. ISVPS contact details will be shared so you can complete their registration forms and pay the associated fees direct to ISVPS.
ISVPS registration fees are NOT included in the Improve Veterinary Education Australia program fees.
