For a veterinary practice such as Highcliff to run efficiently
and effectively takes a team of committed people fullfilling a
number of different career roles which include Veterinary Surgeons
(partners and assistants), Veterinary Nurses, Practice and Finance
managers, receptionists, coordinators and cleaning staff.
A Career as a Veterinary Nurse
Veterinary Nurses (VNs) work alongside Veterinary Surgeons in
order to provide a high standard of care for animals. Veterinary
Nurses normally work within a veterinary surgery or veterinary
hospital and are involved in a wide range of care and treatment.
They provide skilled supportive care for sick animals as well as
undertaking minor surgery, monitoring during anaesthesia, medical
treatments and diagnostic tests under veterinary supervision.
Veterinary Nurses also play an important role in the education
of owners on good standards of animal care.
As with any worthwhile job, the training you will need takes
time, hard work and commitment - but if you are willing to put in
the effort, you will be rewarded with a career, which offers
variety, interest and daily contact with animals and their
owners.
Skills Required
- Be able and enjoy working with people and animals
- Be able to work as a team member
- Be able to work under pressure
- Be aware that at times this job is not very glamorous
- You will train to carry out many practical nursing skills,
prepare and assist for operations / procedures, etc.
To become a Veterinary Nurse:
- You must be 17 years or older
- Employed at a Veterinary Nurse Approved Centre (VNAC) or at an
RCVS registered Training Practice (TP). For up-to-date details of
practices please consult the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
website: www.rcvs.org.uk.
- Have 5 GCSE's at grade C or above including English Language
and two science subjects, one of which may be mathematics.
Or
- Have passed the Animal Nursing Assistant qualification which is
a direct entry route qualification enabling individuals to enrol
with the RCVS as a Student Veterinary Nurse without any other
qualifications. Please refer to the information contained within
this section and the education section of this website for more
information on this qualification.
Or
- Alternative qualifications of a comparable or higher standard
may be accepted in lieu of the usual requirements at the discretion
of the RCVS. If you are unsure whether you can meet the entry
requirements, please contact the RCVS directly.
- Alternatively, if you wanted to undertake a four year BSc
Honours in Veterinary Nursing degree, the minimum requirements are
as above plus at least: two A Levels, BTEC National Diploma in a
science subject or Advanced GNVQs. Equivalent qualifications
(including the VN Certificate) will also be considered. If you are
over 21 without formal qualifications and can show high levels of
ability and experience then you can also apply.
Training to be a Veterinary Nurse
As a Student Veterinary Nurse, you must:
- Have fulfilled all the requirements outlined in the 'How to
become a Veterinary Nurse' section above.
- Contact the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to enrol as a
Student Veterinary Nurse
Training to be a Veterinary Nurse usually takes at least two
years and leads to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at
levels 2 and 3.
During training, students undertake a broad range of veterinary
nursing practice under supervision. Practical training will usually
be supported by a college-based course on either a day or block
release basis. This is arranged through the training centre.
Students will be assessed in practice and will also undertake
RCVS examinations at the end of their first and second years and
complete portfolios of evidence.
Summary of course
- Stage 1.
Gain GCSE's or take one-year course on Pre-Veterinary Nursing,
whilst working in a veterinary practice. Exams are then taken at
the end of first year and your first part of your portfolio needs
to be assessed.
- Stage 2.
Enrol onto Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Veterinary Nursing
Scheme and begin training whilst working in a veterinary practice
which is RCVS approved to train nurses (an ATAC - approved training
and assessment centre).
- Academic training is then usually provided by attending college
one day a week, or in block sessions. In addition to doing plenty
of theoretical work at home and learning a lot of practical nursing
care at the surgery. A portfolio of case logs in subjects such as
Basic Animal Management, Communications, Animal First Aid, Human
First Aid and Dispensing are to be completed.
- Stage 3.
Second year of training.
Further practical experience is gained at the ATAC. The second
part of the portfolio needs to be completed including anaesthesia,
exotic pets, theatre practice, radiography, medical and surgical
case logs. There is an exam at the end of the second year.
When both the portfolio of case logs and the examinations are
passed that person then qualifies and can use the title 'Veterinary
Nurse'.
Alternatively, you can study for a BSc Honours in Veterinary
Nursing degree, which consists of four years full-time study at
Bristol University. During the degree programme, students will be
eligible to take Level 2 (Par 1) and Level 3 (Part 2) of the Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons veterinary nursing examination
leading to the professional qualification for veterinary
nursing.
There is also a Higher National Diploma for Veterinary Nursing
available at a number of Colleges.
If you are specifically interested in equine veterinary nursing,
contact the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for details of the
RCVS Certificate in Equine Veterinary Nursing.
There is usually high competition for places in veterinary
practice for non-experienced members of staff to get their foot in
the door. Voluntary work may be necessary in order to show you have
some experience of veterinary practice life. If this is not
possible try to get work experience in other animal environments,
e.g. kennels and catteries.
