ATE 4850 - Communication & Professionalism in Veterinary Nursing

School of Veterinary Technology

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2021 (585)

Requisites

Prerequisite ATE 3052 with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

Good communication is critical to any veterinary professional’s success. There are few things as vital to professional success as the ability to communicate. Even in a profession focused on animals, communicating effectively is vital not only to personal success but for the success of the organization. Good communication skills build client, staff, and community relationships. These skills have been identified as lacking in the profession. ATE 4850, Communication and Professionalism for Veterinary Nurses, targets basic communication skills including verbal and non-verbal communication and active listening. It includes important variables such as generational, gender, and cultural differences and compassionate communications that increase the need for effective communication. This course also focuses on professionalism for the veterinary team taking into account the paradigm shift in that pet owners now view their companion animals as family and have expectations of professional behavior by their veterinary care givers.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will apply basic concepts, principles, and processes of effective communication by:
    1. Discussing theoretical foundations for effective communication specific to veterinary settings.
    2. Demonstrating competency in verbal and non-verbal communication.
    3. Demonstrating competency in active listening.
    4. Discussing cross-cultural interactions.
  2. The student will develop interpersonal skills with various veterinary stakeholders by:
    1. Describing the characteristics of empathy.
    2. Describing ways to show compassion.
    3. Explaining techniques in building rapport.
    4. Explaining techniques to handle difficult situations.
    5. Describing methods to interact with colleagues.
    6. Explaining techniques to develop professional relationships.
  3. The student will explain the importance of professionalism by:
    1. Discussing key components of professional behavior in a veterinary environment.
    2. Identifying standards/qualities of professionalism and ethical behavior for veterinary professionals.
    3. Applying professional and ethical standards/qualities successfully to an ethical dilemma.
    4. Discussing issues pertaining to discrimination, stereotyping, and harassment as it relates to professional behavior in a veterinary environment.
    5. Evaluating their professional behavior in relation to the effect it has on self and others.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of this course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2021 (585)

Related Programs

  1. Veterinary Technology (VETTC-BAS) (640) (Active)