Veterinary Nursing Core Curriculum

Once the candidate has completed the prerequisite courses and has been formally admitted into the Veterinary Nursing Program, they are then eligible to begin the core veterinary nursing coursework. The Veterinary Nursing Program is a prescribed curriculum that has limited course offerings. As a result, students are only able to begin the Program during fall semester.

Fall Semester - Year 1
  • VM 110
    Veterinary Medical Terminology
  • VM 130
    Comparative Anatomy for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 140
    Pharmacology for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 150
    Hospital Procedures and Communication
  • VM 250
    Veterinary Comparative Clinical Physiology
  • Total Credits
    11
Spring Semester - Year 1
  • VM 120
    Biochemistry and Nutrients for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 160
    Small Animal Nursing Skills
  • VM 170
    Hematology and Immunology for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 175
    Clinical Pathology Laboratory I for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 304
    Radiology for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 205
    Preventative Health Care for Veterinary Nurses
  • Total Credits
    13
Fall Semester - Year 2
  • VM 165
    Large Animal and Laboratory Animal Nursing Care Techniques
  • VM 176
    Clinical Pathology Laboratory II for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 210
    Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 215
    Surgical Nursing and Anesthetic Management Laboratory
  • VM 255
    Small Animal Diseases and Management
  • VM 303
    Anesthesiology for Veterinary Nurses
  • Total Credits
    11
Spring Semester - Year 2
  • VM 155
    Veterinary Nursing Careers and Professional Development
  • VM 245
    Parasitology for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 265
    Dentistry Techniques for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 270
    Health Care Development for Veterinary Nurses
  • VM 275
    Large Animal Diseases and Management
  • Total Credits
    8
Summer Semester - Year 2
  • VM 410
    Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Anesthesiology
  • VM 411
    Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Radiology
  • VM 412
    Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Companion Animal Medicine
  • VM 413
    Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Companion Animal Surgery
  • VM 4**
    Veterinary Nursing Clerkship elective
  • Total Credits
    15

The final semester of clinical clerkships is the unique feature of our Program. They provide an opportunity for students to work in the MSU Veterinary Medical Center with licensed veterinary technicians, clinicians, and veterinary students. This prepares our students for the various types of clinical settings in which they may find employment.

MSU’s online course descriptions and schedule of courses will provide more detailed information for each of the courses listed above.

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