Shelby Socia and Jaronda Griffin placed an IV catheter in a canine patient.

History

The Veterinary Technology Program at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) in Natchitoches, LA received its initial accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA-CVTEA) in 1981.  NSU’s program is the longest running veterinary technology program in the state of Louisiana and has been fully accredited by the AVMA since September 1991.  In Fall 2010, the program began accepting students in a Veterinary Technology concentration of the Bachelor of Science degree program in Biology.  We are unique at NSU considering that we have the only bachelor’s degree associated with veterinary technology of the AVMA accredited programs in Louisiana and are one of only 28 programs in the United States that offer this degree.

Mission Statement

The mission of the NSULA Veterinary Technology Program is to prepare graduates who as veterinary technicians or technologists are clinically competent and demonstrate:

• excellent and compassionate patient care and services;
• excellent technical skills;
• professionalism and high ethical standards;
• promotion of public health;
• commitment to lifelong learning.

Why NSU Veterinary Technology?

As a student in the program, you will be instructed, advised, and mentored by faculty veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians that have each worked in veterinary practices and are passionate about passing on that clinical experience to students.  Our faculty and staff educate students with the most current veterinary knowledge that is applicable to the broad field of veterinary medicine and necessary to pass their national board exam.  The program possesses all of the components of a well-equipped veterinary hospital to provide students with the hands-on training that is applicable to their career in veterinary medicine and desired by employers.  Small animals, horses, and cattle are housed on-campus to provide students with the access and training necessary to complete all required essential skills while on campus.  At the conclusion of the curriculum, students attend internships in veterinary hospitals to gain more experience and become better acquainted with the pace and integration of knowledge and skills into a fully functional veterinary hospital.

Our Veterinary Technology curriculum provides students with the requirements necessary to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Upon successful completion of the VTNE and registration with the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, the graduate will be credentialed as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).

Career Opportunities

• Veterinary Hospitals (Private, Corporate, and Specialty Practices)
  • Including Small Animal, Exotics, Equine, Food Animal, Lab Animal Medicine
• Animal & Biomedical research facilities
• Zoo and wildlife facilities
• Diagnostic laboratories
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Pet nutrition companies
• Food safety inspection
• Humane societies and animal control
• Academia & Education
• Potential acceptance into veterinary school for further training to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine – DVM

Employment Outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 20 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.