By Meg Richards, FdSc, RVN, NCert Physio
Veterinary nursing – a fast-paced, often emotionally and physically challenging, rewarding and diverse career choice where no two days look the same. Are you considering becoming a veterinary nurse? In this article, we will look at what the role entails, what you can expect and how you can boost your CV and experience to better your application!
What is a veterinary nurse?
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the governing body setting clinical standards for all veterinary staff, states that “veterinary nursing is the supportive care of animals receiving treatment within a veterinary practice. A veterinary nurse works as a member of the veterinary team, providing expert nursing care for sick animals” (RCVS, 2024).
The title ‘Veterinary Nurse’ is currently not protected by law, meaning that anyone, even without training or experience, can call themselves a veterinary nurse. However, a trained and qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) will be awarded by, and must work to the standards set by, the RCVS. All students must also be enrolled with the governing body to legally allow them to carry out certain tasks under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.
What does the job involve?
There is a common misconception that the role is all about cuddling puppies and kittens. While this does make up a small part of being a veterinary nurse, there are so many more responsibilities that this role entails, including:
• Monitoring of general anaesthesia
• Preparation of patients for surgical procedures
• Supporting clients and pets through end-of-life care
• Administration of medications and fluid therapy
• Providing education to pet owners on a range of topics, usually in nurse consultation appointments
• Obtaining diagnostic samples and carrying out in-house testing, for example blood and urine sampling
• Assisting in emergency and critical care scenarios
• Communicating with clients including booking of appointments, taking of payments and completing paperwork
• Monitoring patient vital signs including temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate
• Upholding the best standards of patient care and working closely with veterinary surgeons to ensure that all welfare needs are met. To do so, nurses will be responsible for feeding patients accurately, monitoring toileting habits, providing clean and safe kennel environments and providing enrichment
What makes a good veterinary nurse?
A good veterinary nurse is someone who is compassionate, patient, honest, organised, uses their own initiative but also works well within a team and is responsive to feedback.
How can I get into veterinary nursing?
There are two routes to choose from when looking to gain your qualification and begin your career as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. Which avenue you choose can depend on the way that you learn, and your personal preference:
• Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing – a very common route into the profession, the diploma allows practical learners to work on a full-time basis in veterinary practice alongside their learning. There are also online providers of the theory aspect to this route.
• Higher education degree programmes – opting for the degree route (BSc Hons or FdSc) into the profession may take a little longer; however, this is aimed at those who are academic or theory-based learners. This often involves more time in an educational setting, alongside clinical placements.
Veterinary nursing attracts people of all ages, from all walks of life, with age being no barrier to becoming an RVN. Which route of entry you choose depends on the time you wish to be a student, financial implications and how you prefer to learn.
What barriers are there to becoming a veterinary nurse?
As with any application process to undertake further studies, you must meet qualification entry requirements. Depending on the further or higher education provider that you choose, there may be different grades requirements needed in subjects such as English, Maths and Science, so check with your chosen centre what their individual entry requirements are.
The financial implications of being a student can be a huge barrier to some of those who are desperate to get into the career. Getting accurate information on costs involved and if you will be paid for your hours working in practice will help you to plan and prepare for your two to three years of study.
Veterinary nursing is also an incredibly competitive career option, with placements in approved practices being hard to come by. This means it can take some candidates years to begin their training – it is therefore recommended that you strengthen your application and gain experience within the sector as soon as possible.
How can I get experience in the field?
Experience within the veterinary or animal care field is essential when applying to become a Student Veterinary Nurse. Showing that you have gone above and beyond to work or volunteer with animals will set your application apart from that of others. While work experience in a veterinary practice can be hard to come by, there are plenty of other places you could volunteer or apply to gain some invaluable experience:
• Kennels or cattery
• Dog walking
• Local zoo
• Local charity
• Volunteering abroad
Keep an eye on local newspapers, follow local veterinary practices on social media and attend any open days or career events in order to ensure you are the most up-to-date with any opportunities that may arise.
What is the most rewarding part of the job?
• Building a bond with the owner and pet and making a difference
• Working within the veterinary team and building professional relationships and friendships
• Being an integral part of making an animal better, giving you a real sense of purpose and achievement
• Working within a fast-paced and ever-changing environment
• Nurses are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) per year, which means ongoing learning in areas of the profession you have an interest within, constantly bettering patient care
What is the most challenging part of the job?
• Dealing with difficult topics with owners, for example end-of-life care and finances, as well as the extreme emotions, can be challenging
• Euthanasia and crash scenarios leading to the loss of a patient make veterinary nurses vulnerable to burnout and compassion fatigue. Knowing your own triggers and the signs of this can help you to be able to combat it early
• Anti-social and long hours can mean that creating a good work/life balance is difficult and something that is important to try to implement early into your career
Where can veterinary nursing take my career?
What is great about veterinary nursing is that there are so many avenues you can take your qualification down in order to diversify.
• Undertake further learning in an area that interests you. There are certificates and specialist courses in many different areas of the industry that you can undertake, e.g. anaesthesia, rehabilitation, nutrition
• Become a clinical supervisor and train student nurses, supporting them through their training and aiding the development of their practical skills
• Lecturing or academic writing for journals and textbooks
• Leadership or management
• Work for charities
• Working or volunteering abroad
• Sales representative role
References
College of Animal Welfare (2024) The Ultimate Guide to a Career in Veterinary Nursing. Available at: https://www.caw.ac.uk/vnc/ (Accessed 27th July 2024)
RCVS (2024) I want to be a veterinary nurse. Available at: https://animalowners.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-careers/i-want-to-be-a-veterinary-nurse/?&&type=rfst&set=true#cookie-widget (Accessed 28th July 2024)
Please visit my Instagram account @megthervn or website www.megthervn.co.uk for veterinary nursing resources and information.
Meg Richards, FdSc, RVN, NCert Physio, is a veterinary nurse based in Cornwall. She has been working in practice for nearly 10 years and has a passion for emergency and critical care, as well as postoperative rehabilitation. As well as holding certificates in hydrotherapy and physio and rehab, Meg creates revision and study material for student veterinary nurses. She loves sharing knowledge and providing accessible resources for all to access, available on her website www.megthervn.co.uk
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