English

NDAF is an association for everyone working as veterinary nurses/technicians or assistants at veterinary clinics and facilities in Norway, and also students studying veterinary nursing. The association was established in 1991 and the main goals then were to arrange seminars for veterinary nurses/technicians and assistants, as well as being the forum for people working with veterinary medicine in veterinary clinics and facilities all over Norway.

NDAF is not a labour union.

NDAF’s goals today are:

  • Organising seminars
  • Publishing our newsletter “LUSA”
  • Keeping in touch with the International Veterinary Nurse and Technician Association, thereby staying updated on the profession around the world
  • Improving the veterinary nurse/technician education
  • Defining the function of a veterinary nurse/technician within the frames of the authorisation.
  • Being a forum and gathering place for all personnel working at, or in conjunction with, veterinary clinics and facilities in Norway
  • Giving out scholarships
  • Establishing a Basic Agreement for veterinary nurses/technicians and assistants with the aid of Fagforbundet

As a member of NDAF, you will recieve:

  • A discount on seminars arranged by NDAF
  • The newsletter ”LUSA”, published 5-6 times annually
  • An opportunity to recieve scholarships for further education
  • Counselling and support in relation to employment
  • The opportunity to affect NDAF’s focus

The Norwegian veterinary nurse/technician education is located at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. The education is per 2008 a 2-year university-level education, which is has been since 2003.

Prior to 2003, the duration of the education was one year, with additional mandatory one-year practical experience in order to qualify for the education.

Most of the pages on this site are in Norwegian, but please feel free to use the message board. Most Norwegians understand and write English well and any feedback from veterinary nurses/technicians and assistants outside Norway is greatly appreciated.

 

What sort of qualifications do you need to work as a veterinary nurse/technician or assistant in Norway?

Most of the veterinary clinics in Norway are small, which means that everybody at a clinic has to have client contact. This will in most cases require that you speak some Norwegian.

There are however some larger clinics/facilities in suburban city areas and in the larger cities that employ English-speaking personnel. In some cities like Stavanger or Oslo, speaking a foreign language is an advantage.

Concerning the veterinary nurse/technician education, there are differences as to what kind of personnel is preferred at veterinary clinics. Some clinics want educated veterinary nurses/technicians, some prefer to train veterinary assistants themselves. It is becoming more and more common that clinics prefer employing well-educated veterinary nurses/technicians with qualifications and experience, although these may demand more in terms of pay, courses/seminars etc. Other facilities that employ veterinary nurses/technicians may require a formal education.

In Norway, only the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science educates qualified veterinary nurses/technicians. Students that graduate from Norwegian School of Veterinary Science will have to apply for an official authorisation issued from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet). This authorisation gives higher status to the profession and protects our title “Dyrepleier”. As a foreign educated veterinary nurse/technician you will have to apply for an evaluation of your education in order to get the authorisation. If the curriculum is similar to the one taught in Norway, you will most likely be authorised.

Priser for medlemskap

  • Ordinært medlem: kr 500,-
  • Student medlem: kr 300,-
  • Medlemskapet gjelder et kalenderår.

Visste du at som medlem…

  • får veiledning og støtte i arbeidsspørsmål.
  • får mulighet for stipend til etterutdanning.
  • får det elektroniske medlemsbladet "Tidskrift                                    for Norsk dyrepleier- og assistentforening."