How to become a veterinary nurse

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Want to become a veterinary nurse in the UK? Find out how to become a registered vet nurse and how long it takes.

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What is a veterinary nurse?

A veterinary (or vet) nurse is someone who helps sick or injured animals. They usually work in a vet practice or an animal hospital alongside a team of specialists. This will include at least one veterinary surgeon.

Veterinary nursing is a regulated profession and vet nurses must be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

What does a vet nurse do?

As a vet nurse, you'll be expected to do a wide range of duties. This could include:

  • Speaking to pet owners about how to care for and treat their animals
  • Preparing animals for treatment
  • Assisting vets during surgery or procedures
  • Carrying out X-rays, giving injections or medication, and removing stitches
  • Caring for in-patient animals after operations 
  • Keeping the surgery and equipment clean
  • Working on reception and carrying out administrative tasks

Why become a veterinary nurse?

  • Passion for animals

    This job is perfect if you love animals as you'll work with them every day.

  • Make a difference

    You could make a huge impact on the lives on animals and their owners.

  • Job satisfaction

    Playing a crucial role in the wellbeing of animals is a very rewarding career.

  • No day is the same

    You'll be working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

What is the difference between a veterinary nurse and a veterinarian?

Both veterinarians (also known as veterinary surgeons or vets) and veterinary nurses work together to care for animals. However, vets have advanced training and qualifications - usually a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) or similar. This allows them to diagnose and treat medical conditions independently. Veterinary nurses provide supportive care under the supervision of veterinarians.

Step by step guide to becoming a veterinary nurse

There are two main routes to take to become a vet nurse. You can study for a Level 3 qualification or you might want to study a degree course.

1. Research

For both routes you’ll need to do some research to make sure that being a veterinary nurse is the right career for you. Attend careers fairs and talk to your friends and family. Perhaps visit your local vets and other animal hospitals to see if they can offer any advice.

2. Work experience

You’ll also most likely need to gain some work experience. Many courses require it and it will help give you a better understanding of what it means to be a vet nurse. You could ask in your local veterinary surgeons or speak to your school or college.

3. Decide on the route you wish to take:

4. Register with the RCVS and apply for jobs

After you’ve completed either route, you will be eligible to register as a veterinary nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). You can then start applying for jobs at veterinary practices or similar places.

Top tips to being a good vet nurse

  • Good communication and interpersonal skills: you'll be interacting with different colleagues and pet owners from all walks of life.
  • Attention to detail: you'll need to be accurate in treatments and keeping records.
  • Staying calm under pressure: you will likely be in emergency situations, so you'll need to handle stress well.
  • Kind and compassionate: you'll need to show empathy to animals and humans as well. 
  • Work flexibly and be physically fit: it's a demanding job so you'll need to be ready to take on the pressure.
  • Resilience: being a vet nurse can be tough, you'll need to be emotionally and mentally strong.

Other careers in the vet industry

You may wish to consider other careers working with animals.