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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, although they may also care for the health of farm and zoo animals or horses.

The work normally includes holding animals and keeping them calm while the vet examines and treats them, giving injections and drugs, collecting blood, urine and other samples, preparing animals for operations, sterilising surgical instruments, and maintaining levels of anaesthetic and assisting the vet during operations.

Veterinary nurses may take x-rays, undertake simple laboratory tests and prepare samples for commercial laboratories. They may also take care of animals when they stay on the premises before or after an operation. This can include giving medicines, cleaning quarters, providing fresh bedding, feeding, watering, grooming and exercising animals.

They sometimes provide advice and information to owners about key aspects of animal care such as vaccinations and feeding. Some veterinary nurses are also responsible for looking after the practice administration and managing practice bills.

Entry level

Veterinary nurses usually train through the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Veterinary Nurse Training Scheme, which leads to NVQ at Levels 2 and 3.

To enrol on this, you would need at least five GCSE/S grades (A-C/1-3), including English language and two science subjects (one of which can be maths). Equivalent qualifications may also be accepted. You must be at least 17 before you start, and you must have found full-time paid employment (or written promise of employment) at an RCVS-approved Training Practice or be enrolled on a higher education-based veterinary nursing course (degree or HND).

If you don’t have the qualifications listed above, you may be able to take the one-year, part-time British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Level 2 Certificate for Animal Nursing Assistants, which can lead to entry to the RCVS Veterinary Nursing course.

For a degree or higher national diploma (HND) in veterinary nursing, you would need at least two A levels/three H grades or equivalent qualifications, preferably in chemistry and biology, plus five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) including English language and two sciences, one of which may be maths. You should also be at least 18 years old.

There is an equine route to veterinary nursing, if you wish to gain a qualification in working with horses in a specialist equine veterinary practice.

It is occasionally possible to work as a nursing auxiliary in a veterinary practice without having any qualifications or without taking the RCVS Veterinary Nurse Training Scheme.

Making the grade

The RCVS Veterinary Nurse Training Scheme takes at least two years. You would gain practical experience at your training practice and develop theoretical knowledge through a college course (either day release or block release). You must pass both NVQ/SVQ Level 2 and Level 3 in Veterinary Nursing.

Some veterinary surgeons prefer to train their own nurses and set their own entry requirements. However, the training may not necessarily be recognised by other employers and would not lead to the recognised RCVS Veterinary Nursing qualification. It is important to note that only nurses registered by the RCVS can use the title Veterinary Nurse and are allowed by law to undertake a wider range of nursing responsibilities than those trained elsewhere.

With experience, veterinary nurses can become head nurses or move into roles as veterinary practice managers. They would be responsible for supervising other staff and may also train other nurses as veterinary nurse tutors.

Personal qualities

As a veterinary nurse, you would need a genuine concern for animals and a wish to care for them. At the same time, you would need to take an unsentimental approach as, inevitably, you would be involved with putting animals down or with unsuccessful surgical procedures. The work is likely to be messy and unpleasant at times as it frequently involves clearing up after animals. In addition to handling a variety of animals, you would need to be able to communicate clearly and sympathetically with their owners. You would have to work as part of the team within the practice and you would need office skills for keeping records, booking appointments and issuing invoices.