BSAVA Nurse Merit Award in Dermatology

The Veterinary Dermatology Merit Award is run by the BSAVA as part of the prestigious BSAVA Nurse Merit Award Scheme. The Award has been delivered in conjunction with Nextmune, a leader in veterinary dermatology products and training, with course tutors who are renowned lecturers and dermatologists.

There are currently no plans for another intake of this course. In the meantime, VNDG members can access dermatology nursing training and scholarship-funded places through our ONCORE Scholarships programme.

Dermatology Nurse Advisors

Nurses who have completed the BSAVA Nurse Merit Award in Dermatology become:

Dermatology Nurse Advisors with certificate and badge
Trained to perform important in-clinic dermatology tests, such as cytology and skin scrapes
Taught how to offer valuable clinical support for vets
Shown how to run Dermatology Clinics to support clients and their pets in the long term management of skin cases
Eligible for priority access to VNDG meetings

Course content

The course, which comprises two days of theory and a practical day, is designed to provide nurses with highly useful and practical dermatology knowledge that can broaden their skill base and extend the services of the practices they work for. In addition to the study, each nurse is required to submit a case project. The course will consist of:

Diagnostic Techniques including practical sessions on skin scrapes, plucks and tape strips
Allergies
Ectoparasites
Hormonal Skin Disease
Otitis Externa
Identification and analysis of microscopic samples
Practical sessions on simple skin surgery and suturing
Clinical signs and diagnostic tests webinar
Interpreting cytology webinar

Discover more about BSAVA Nurse Merit Awards.