Motivation and Prior Animal Experience of Newly Enrolled Veterinary Nursing Students at two Irish Third-Level Institutions.

The study investigated the motivation and prior animal handling experience of new veterinary nursing students in two Irish institutions. It found that most students have an innate desire to work with animals but lack the required skills, suggesting the need for better practical training.

Study Objective and Background

• The study aimed to quantify the animal-handling skills of new veterinary nursing students and to understand their motivation for choosing this profession. It was conducted at two Irish tertiary educational institutions: Dundalk Institute of Technology and University College Dublin.
• The drive behind this research was the observation that despite a strong desire to work with animals, many veterinary nursing students showed limited animal-handling skills. This is consistent with past reports related to veterinary medicine students.

Study Methodology

• First-year veterinary nursing students at both institutions were surveyed. The survey was used to understand students’ reasons for choosing veterinary nursing as a career and to assess their prior experience with animals and exposure to a veterinary workspace.
• Focus group discussions were also held at both institutions to further explore these aspects.

Results and Interpretation

• The results revealed high intrinsic motivation among the students to work with and care for animals. This means that their decision to choose veterinary nursing was primarily driven by a personal interest and not by external factors such as high salaries or societal recognition.
• Most students had spent some time in a veterinary work setting before beginning their studies, indicating some level of practical experience. However, their prior animal-handling experience was limited mostly to family pets, especially dogs. This suggests that they might not be sufficiently prepared for handling a variety of animals in their professional work.
• The study also highlighted potential conflicts between the veterinary nursing and veterinary medicine students at University College Dublin, suggesting the existence of a hidden curriculum or implicit learnings that aren’t formally taught.

Implications of the Study

• The study underscores the necessity of practical animal-handling training for veterinary nursing students. This will equip them with the necessary skills to professionally handle a wide range of animals, thereby improving their effectiveness and job satisfaction.