How To Be A Veterinary Nurse |
 Basic job description
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.
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.
 The veterinary nurse qualification can be gained by following the route listed below or by enrolling on a four-year Veterinary Nursing Degree course.
The Veterinary Nurse qualification gives you a Level 2 S/NVQ in Veterinary Nursing in your first year then a Level 3 S/NVQ in Veterinary Nursing in the second year.
For more information contact the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
Examination requirements for Veterinary Nurse qualification5 GCSE's at grade C or above to include English language, biological science, mathematics plus two other subjects. Alternatively you can enrol on an Animal Nursing Assistant (ANA) course, which takes approximately a year to complete. Successful qualification will enable you to proceed with the Veterinary Nursing course. For this you need to be employed by a veterinary practice.
Stage 1.
Gain GCSE's or take one year course on Pre-Veterinary Nursing, whilst working in a veterinary practice.
 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 (a TP - training practice).
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.
Exams are then taken at the end of first year and your first part of your portfolio needs to be assessed.
 Stage 3.
Second year of training.
Further practical experience is gained at the TP. 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'
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