Do you want to become a Veterinary Nurse? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:
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Veterinary nurses work with veterinary surgeons to provide medical and surgical nursing care for animals. They usually work with domestic pets such as dogs, cats and rabbits. In some jobs, they care for the health of farm and zoo animals or horses.
Their job is extremely varied, but their main work involves nursing duties such as:
Veterinary nurses work between 35 to 40 hours a week. This includes weekend and on-call duties. They usually work indoors, in all parts of the practice, including reception, consulting rooms, the operating theatre, radiography department and hospital kennels.
Veterinary nurses start on around £10,000, while senior veterinary nurses can earn from £18,000 upwards.
A veterinary nurse should:
There are around 5,300 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) qualified veterinary nurses in the UK. Most work with vets in general practice. Veterinary nurses also work in veterinary hospitals and university veterinary schools. A smaller number work in equine (horse) care clinics, research centres and zoos.
Veterinary nurses usually train through the RCVS Veterinary Nurse Training Scheme. To enrol on the scheme they need at least five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), one in English language, and two in science subjects, one of which can be maths, or equivalent qualifications. Applicants must also either have full-time paid employment at an RCVS-approved Training Practice or be enrolled on a higher education-based veterinary nursing course.
There are no fixed upper age limits. Many people start in this work after gaining other kinds of experience of working with animals. They are generally required to meet the same entry qualifications as above.
In general practice, veterinary nurses can become head nurses or practice managers.
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