Job Description

A Veterinary Nurse Works with veterinary surgeons to provide the best care to animals that need veterinary care.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job through:

College

You can study full time for a Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at college.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has a list of approved training organisations.

You'll need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science.

Apprenticeship

You can do a veterinary nursing advanced apprenticeship.

You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science.

Click here to search for an apprenticeship.

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in veterinary nursing accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Click here to search for a suitable course.

Career Tips

You'll need some work experience before you start training. You could volunteer with a vet, a local kennel or animal welfare centre, or with animal charities like the PDSA or RSPCA.

You could join the British Veterinary Nursing Association for training opportunities, make industry contacts and careers information.

Career Path and Progression

With experience, you could take on more responsibility, like practice management, supervising and training new staff, or working in veterinary supplies.

You could also train to specialise in working for a zoological/wildlife park, charity, pharmaceutical company or breeding/boarding kennels.

With further study you could work towards becoming a lecturer or researcher.

Related careers you may be interested in:

• Animal care worker
• Animal technician
• Assistance dog trainer
• Kennel worker
• Pet behaviour counsellor

Required Skills

• good administrative and IT skills
• concern for animal welfare
• ability to keep calm when dealing with animals and their owners
• tact and sympathy
• ability to communicate well at all levels

Salary Range

£18,000 to £26,000