Our Nursing Anaesthesia Program is designed specifically for veterinary nurses and technicians. It has been developed by veterinary specialists and experienced nurses, all of whom hold advanced qualifications in their field.
You’ll have support and guidance from a module tutor who is a specialist in veterinary anaesthesia, allowing you can ask questions and discuss cases.
The program is delivered via 8 varied and interactive modules, covering topics such as the latest anaesthetic and monitoring equipment, key anaesthetic and analgesic agents, techniques for safe anaesthesia and effective analgesia in dogs, cats, equines and exotics.
With 24/7 online access, you can learn at your own pace and fit study around the demands of a busy practice.
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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June 2026
Module Speaker:
Emma Love BVMS PhD DVA DipECVAA SFHEA FRCVS
The anaesthetic machine is an essential tool for inhalation anaesthesia. A good working knowledge of both the machine and breathing circuit is essential to ensure the safety of the patient.
This module will cover the different types of machines available and will review available breathing circuits. The range of monitoring equipment in veterinary practice has increased significantly over the last few years and the latest thinking on this topic will be presented.
Key learning objectives:
July 2026
Module Speaker:
Emma Love BVMS PhD DVA DipECVAA SFHEA FRCVS
This module will cover how to assess the patient before anaesthesia and the different drugs available for pre-medication. General anaesthesia may be induced by injectable drugs or inhalational agents. These will be reviewed along with methods of maintaining anaesthesia.
Key learning objectives:
August 2026
Module Speaker:
Pamela Murison BVMS CertVA,DipECVAA,DVA,PhD MRCVS
The causes of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) will be covered as will how to recognise ‘at risk’ patients. The aim of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is to support ventilation and circulation until natural functions can be restored and maintained. Equipment and resources needed for CPR will be included and a step-by-step ‘how’ to’ guide.
Key learning objectives:
September 2026
Module Speaker:
Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS
Fluid therapy is often seen as complicated by both nurses and vets. This module aims to demystify the subject and explain the reasons why every nurse should understand the basics of fluid balance, fluid therapy and fluid administration.
How to calculate fluid requirements, rates of administration, and monitoring techniques will be covered. Nutritional support for the anaesthetised patient will also be included.
Key learning objectives:
October 2026
Module Speaker:
Pamela Murison BVMS CertVA,DipECVAA,DVA,PhD MRCVS
There are naturally some important differences when planning anaesthesia in both equine and exotic species. This module will cover the different drugs and techniques available for both the horse and also common ‘exotic’ species.
Key learning objectives:
November 2026
Module Speaker:
Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS
This module will cover the pathophysiology of pain and how to recognise and assess pain in the different species.
The different types of drugs available for analgesia will be reviewed for short, medium and long term use. The concept of pre-emptive analgesia will be covered along with multi-modal analgesia.
Key learning objectives:
December 2026
Module Speaker:
Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS
Certain conditions require the anaesthetist to employ different techniques from those routinely used. The use of neuromuscular blocking agents will be covered in this course as well as planning anaesthesia for thoracic surgery, head and neck surgery, patients with cardiopulmonary disease and those with neurological problems.
Key learning objectives:
January 2027
Module Speaker:
Nicola Grint BVSc PhD CertVA DVA DiplECVAA MRCVS
This module will cover how to plan an anaesthetic for both the patient undergoing a caesarean operation, the paediatric and geriatric patient. In addition, considerations for anaesthesia for patients with renal or liver failure and for particular endocrinopathies will be discussed. All of these situations place particular demands on the anaesthetist and the importance of patient assessment, drug selection, induction/maintenance techniques and monitoring will be covered.
Key learning objectives:
Emma graduated from the University of Glasgow Veterinary School in July 2000 and completed a residency in veterinary anaesthesia at the University of Bristol.
She holds RCVS and European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia Diplomas and is an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia.
Emma completed a PhD in 2009 Advances in the Objective
Evaluation of Pain and Analgesic Efficacy in Horses and her clinical and research interests include pain assessment and analgesia in animals.
Emma is currently a Senior Teaching Fellow in Veterinary Anaesthesia at the University of Bristol.
Pamela Murison is Professor of Veterinary Anaesthesia at the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine, where she is head of the anaesthesia service. After working in practice, Pamela has worked in veterinary schools since 1996 so has many years of teaching experience both with veterinary and veterinary nursing students. Her research interests include assessing efficacy of novel analgesics and factors which might affect ventilation during anaesthesia.
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.
Yes – there are limited opportunities for late entry. Please contact us directly [email protected] for any specific questions and we can help.
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.