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All about ISFM Feline Nursing Distance Learning Courses

In 2009 FAB in partnership withand in association with the Centre for Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) launched two Feline Friendly Nursing Courses – one at Foundation and one at Advanced level (OCN level 3). Over 150 nurses have completed or are currently working on these courses and the response has been very positive.

Full accredited courses
The courses are run in partnership with COAPE which provides the framework and the administration for accreditation for these courses through the Open College Network, a nationally recognised accreditation scheme. The courses have been put together by FAB and International Society of Feline Medicine experts.

How does it work?
Students register for the courses with the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) at www.coape.co.uk.   Each course comprises 6 units that are administered online.  Students received notes and can use the COAPE student resource site for further information, videos etc.  Each unit has a workbook which students complete and return to COAPE from where it is send to FAB tutors who will mark the units and give students feedback. More details are available on the COAPE website and this is where registration takes place.

Comments on the Foundation and Advanced courses, from nurses who have completed them ...

'Very relevant to my practice as we are not cat friendly!'

'Excellent content – explanations are really useful for discussing behavioural issues with clients. Extremely relevant to practice. It is already helping every feline patient I nurse.'

'We want to set up a cat clinic and ward.'

'I found the course very helpful and interesting and feel I am more confident with clients and cats and it has helped me greatly in practice. I would definitely recommend this course to any one who has a great interest in cats.'

'It allows you to step back and look at how the practice is coping with being 'feline friendly'.'

'I would like to think that the knowledge I have gained can be used to teach the younger nurses and I hope to set up more nursing clinics soon. Some clients are already referring to me as ‘the cat nurse’. It has made me realize we can do a lot more to be cat friendly and we are implanting the changes.'

'The distance learning works very well in fitting around a busy life.'

‘I am really enjoying the course and have learned a lot. I think the level is just about right and the subjects very relevant to working in practice.'

'Challenging course content encourages thinking outside the box – very relevant to practice and am beginning to set up some basic feline behavioural consults. Topics are useful and relevant.'

'A very challenging course which is very relevant to practice – lots of useful topics that are already proving valuable.'

'Level of difficulty just right for me; content superb. Learned lots and a good revision of things already known. All topics very relevant to practice and nurse clinics.'

'I am already getting vets asking my advice! More confident in clinics.'

'It is nice to have my opinion respected by the vets in the practice.'

‘Excellent content – extremely relevant to practice.  It is helping every cat I nurse. ‘

‘I am more confident with clients and cats and it has helped me greatly in practice.  I would definitely recommend this course to any one who has a great interest in cats.’

‘You can step back and see how the practice is coping with being ‘feline friendly’’.

‘Some clients are already referring to me as ‘the cat nurse’. 

‘We can do a lot more to be cat friendly and we are implanting the changes.’

‘A lot of topics already proving valuable.’

‘It is nice to have my opinion respected by the vets in the practice’

‘’I make sure I am the best cat nurse here – it ensures our clinic has the highest standards of cat care in the area.’

‘The course has exceeded my expectations – it is fantastic.  It has definitely helped me in practice – my bosses have been more open to ideas.’


Foundation and Advanced level courses

Foundation and Advanced level courses run twice a year – starting in February and September.  Registrations must be received by January 15 and August 15 respectively. 

Foundation award in Feline Friendly Nursing

Suggested level – Animal Nursing Auxiliary:

  1. Introduction: What is a cat?
  2. Normal development from kitten to pet cat, pet and feral cats
  3. Influence of environment and lifestyle
  4. Communication with the cat – cat to cat; cat to person
  5. Lifestages, nutrition and resources
  6. Breeds and basic care
 

Advanced award in Feline Friendly Nursing

Suggested level – training and qualified VN

  1. Essential Cattitude and understanding the feline client
  2. WellCat principles
  3. Behaviour problems
  4. Cat friendly practice principles
  5. Nutritional issues
  6. Measurements and monitoring

Who can take part?
The Foundation and Advanced courses are open  to nurses or trainee nurses in any country who can undertake the course in the English language.

Course costs
Each stage of the course requires a registration fee of £55 and the cost of the course is £445.

Registration and further information
For further information go to www.fabcats.org/catprofessionals or to register go to www.coape.co.uk


New Expert level feline nursing course

Now an expert level course is available to nurses who have completed the Advanced level course and have their feline friendly credentials.  The Expert level course is set at OCN level 4 and is classed as a Diploma (first year university level). Nurses who successfully complete the course will be eligible to join the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) Academy of Feline Nurses. The course begins every February (registrations by January 15 at the latest) and students have 2 years to complete it.

Course content:

1. Anaesthesia and analgesia

  • Risks of anaesthesia
  • Role of premedication
  • Practical aspects of induction
  • Practical aspects of maintenance
  • Recognition of pain and stress
  • Practical aspects of analgesic therapy

2. Major infectious diseases of cats

  • Major viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases
  • Feline zoonotic diseases
  • Treatment
  • Risks  and control of spread in the practice
  • Routine prevention

3. Major non-infectious diseases of cats

  • Inherited diseases
  • Neurological diseases
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Gastrointestinal diseases
  • Hepatic and pancreatic diseases
  • Urinary tract diseases
  • Endocrine diseases
  • Haematopoietic diseases

4. Behaviour and wellbeing

  • Behavioural link to wellbeing
  • Physiological and behavioural implications of stress
  • Relationship between behavioural problems, stress and clinical disease
  • History taking
  • Role of different therapies
  • How to research and apply behaviour information

5. Reproduction

  • Reproductive anatomy and physiology
  • Normal pregnancy and parturition
  • Congenital disease and early neonatal care of kittens
  • Understand reproductive control

6. Nursing clinics

  • Role of the nurse in the long-term health care of the feline patient
  • Role of the nurse in life-stage wellness clinics
  • Role of the nurse in specific disease-monitoring clinics
  • Role of the nurse in euthanasia and ‘end of life’ issues

Who can take part?
The course is open to any nurse who has completed the Advanced Feline Friendly nursing course.

Course costs
The course requires a registration fee of £110 and the cost of the course is £1500.  Stage payments may be possible – please contact the COAPE office

Registration and further information
For further information go to www.fabcats.org/catprofessionals or to register go to www.coape.co.uk

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