What they say about the “Abivet” formation”
Ilaria Balestrieri
Andrea Pasci
I am Demetra Azicnuda, I am 20 years old, and I am a veterinary nurse. I am currently working in London, having completed my studies in September 2018 with the Abivet training course in Rome.
I knew, even before starting the frontal course, that I would enjoy travelling with my profession. Abivet was, and is, the only ANMVI-recognised training course, accredited ACOVENE, and therefore recognised by the RCVS in London. As soon as I finished my exams I decided to leave to start gaining experience.
Be prepared for some bureaucratic paperwork, the list of “overseas’ veterinary nurses is very long and open to all countries. You have to get in touch with the secretariat of the Royal College, send in a set of forms defining your type of course and the type of internship you did; passport and qualification as a veterinary technician, Curriculum Vitae in English, and finally pay a fee to the RCVS. Your application will be taken into consideration and a decision will be made as to whether the quality of your traineeship, and your qualification, is comparable to an English qualification and whether you can actually apply to register as a veterinary nurse. The turnaround time is 3-8 weeks.
After approval you will have to provide other documents, where you are supposed to reside in the UK, and have a good level of English. Indeed, it is specified on the RCVS website that applicants should be able to communicate with customers and colleagues, including written and spoken English. Should there be any doubt about the applicant's language ability, they are offered the opportunity to show actual proof of English level by passing the IELTS level 7 exam. If all the required data is considered valid, once the online procedure is completed there will then be an interview at the RCVS where the role of the veterinary nurse in the UK is fully explained and an oath taken with other veterinary nurses.
Once you are enrolled at the Royal college you can actually start finding work in the different veterinary practices. I currently work for a clinic within a charity, and work with a large team of 80 people. At the moment I am gaining more knowledge and familiarity with the English working environment, before enrolling in the specialisation course I am interested in, which requires a minimum of one year of work experience in the UK. There would be no problem if I ever wanted to return to work in Italy, having the Acovene diploma, which I must say and emphasise was able to fully prepare me to face the working world outside of school, meeting my expectations. In fact, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my teachers and tutors, who followed and helped me throughout the course, making one of my small goals possible.
Thank you Abivet!
When did you finish your studies in Abivet?
I completed my Abivet course in September 2018.
Did you decide immediately afterwards to go the UK route or did you also work for a period in Italy?
I also worked in Italy before deciding to leave for London. I worked in the emergency clinic Ethiopia, Pet's Life and also A.S.T.A.
What does it take to enrol at the Royal College? Is it possible to choose between different specialisations or is it a single pathway?
To register as a veterinary nurse in the U.K. you need an Acovene diploma, to speak and understand English and a strong desire to continue your studies! There are various courses, various specialisations to choose from!
How was the impact with the Royal College?
Was your preparation sufficient? 4. The impact with the Royal College was quite smooth because my preparation was sufficient.
What should the degree of English language proficiency be?
At least a B1, B2.
What course of study are you currently attending? What job opportunities does it give you?
I am currently concentrating on Anaesthesia. In the U.k. you can always grow professionally and make a career. You need a lot of desire, patience and sacrifices.
With the qualification you acquire in England, will you be able to return to work in Italy? Or will you be able to move to other countries in Europe or around the world?
With an English qualification you can work anywhere in the world.
How satisfied are you with your studies so far?
I am only at the beginning of my career and I still have a long way to go, but seeing the opportunities and the help that this country gives you, makes you want to grow more and more professionally.
Claudia Mei
I have always dreamed of being able to work in animal care and, the Abivet vocational training course was the start of a fantastic journey that helped me turn a dream into a reality. I decided to study in this vocational training course mainly because the institute has accreditation from the organisation Acovene, which makes the qualification recognised abroad. My goal, for various reasons, was always to go and practise my profession in London. Today, thanks to Abivet, I am a qualified and recognised veterinary nurse here in England, I am registered as a veterinary nurse and I am currently working on a permanent basis in a hospital, where I practice my profession to the full, working in surgery, in the inpatient ward, in the examination room and in the pharmacy. I am very grateful for the Abivet course for veterinary technicians and would recommend it to anyone wishing to pursue a career in veterinary nursing; Abivet is a professional training course, very efficient, challenging and well organised.
Rossella Manna
The two years in which I attended the Abivet course were rich in experiences that introduced me to the animal world and, above all, brought me closer to it, finally realising my dream of working closely with it. For me, the course was proof that those who are worthwhile are rewarded. Only two months after graduating, I found a job and have not stopped since. I am grateful to my professors, the organisers and everyone who made my realisation possible.
Silvia Boscolo
The two-year Abivet training course for veterinary technicians, with a programme accredited by Acovene (www.acovene.eu) and now recognised by the national federation of veterinary doctors (ANMVI), it immediately seemed interesting to me because in addition to theoretical study, it also included a practical internship. I was studying and at the same time working in a shopping centre part - time, in order to support myself. Day after day my choice turned out to be the right one, today I work in London. I love the work I do more and more every day, and I think that one of the most important things in life to feel fulfilled is to be lucky enough to turn a job into a real passion.
Claudia D'Ignazi
My name is Claudia D'Ignazi and I am a veterinary technician, certified at ABIVET in Rome. I attended the course from 2011 to 2013. The course was very important for me, as it allowed me to turn my passion for animals into a real profession. I received both theoretical and practical training, learning the various nursing procedures and learning how to handle even the most difficult animals. I am able to do the work that I like most and receive immense gratification from it.
Bruna De Sanctis
Hello everyone, I would like to briefly recount my experience to give others the opportunity to have more clarity on what this course is and what it gives. I chose to attend the Abivet course after a thousand doubts, after all the Italian reality does not give certainties or even reassurances about the future and the world of work in general, and I already had a job! Immediately after graduating from high school, I started working as a clerk, but then, even though I had always known this, I felt cramped in that role, I started looking for something that would fully satisfy my expectations and ambitions. Working with animals had always been my dream, and in the panorama of private courses and degree courses, after careful evaluation, I chose the Abivet course. With sacrifice and dedication I tackled this “journey”, and with the help and professionalism of the lecturers, tutors and administration I completed my course. My tenacity paid off: as soon as I graduated as a VETERINARY TECHNICIAN, I found a facility that trusted me and my qualification, opening the doors to this “new” professional figure (there were no other technicians before me in that clinic), and after completing my probationary period they confirmed my position by hiring me. I hope my experience helps those who are still undecided about what to do! With hard work, perseverance, commitment, professionalism, the goal is not so far away, dreams can be realised, be wary of those who tell you otherwise!”
Daria Cacciotti
I am Daria Cacciotti, I attended the Abivet course for Veterinary Technicians year 2013/2014, although I already had a degree in Natural Sciences and a diploma as a dog educator at the School of Human-Animal Interaction, I found the course very interesting with good lecturers and excellent opportunities to do practical training during the two years of the course.
Virginia Carta
My name is Virginia Carta and I attended the Abivet course in 2008-2010. In all sincerity, I have to say that my expectations within these 2 years of the course were amply fulfilled. It never happened that one of my questions went unanswered! The lectures were always extremely interesting and the explanations always comprehensive and in-depth. During the numerous internships, I had the opportunity to see and learn a lot of techniques and notions that subsequently allowed me, within the field of work, to meet and anticipate the needs and expectations of the Veterinary Doctor. If I could go back, I would undoubtedly make this choice again, as this is a job that gives so much satisfaction and every effort is always rewarded by purring or wagging my tail. Thank you Abivet for this wonderful course! .