Veterinary nurses are vital members of the veterinary team. They are highly skilled at practical tasks and play an important part in owner education. In veterinary practices nurses tend to be responsible for:
Small animal veterinary nurses are discussed below. Follow the link for information about equine veterinary nursing.
Veterinary nurse training requires hard work and commitment. There are various entry possibilities depending on your previous qualifications.
You can become a veterinary nurse by first gaining the animal nursing assistant (ANA) certificate. You must be at least 16 years old and be working in a veterinary practice.
The course is split into 4 sections and can be carried out by correspondance or day-release at a college.
Once you have gained the qualification, you may then apply for entry onto the veterinary nursing certificate (see below). You will also need GSCE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics or Key Skills Level 2 in Application of Number and Communication or equivalent to progress onto this course.
For more information on becoming an ANA, visit the British Veterinary Nursing Association website.
You can become a veterinary nurse by gaining an NVQ Level 2 or 3. You must be employed at an approved nurse training practice (VNAC or TP). Training will take at least 2 years and involves completing a portfolio of work and a college-based course which can be done by day or block-release.
During their training, students will undertake increasing amounts of practical work under supervision of a veterinary surgeon or senior veterinary nurse.
For more information on becoming an ANA, visit the British Veterinary Nursing Association website.
You can apply for the BSc (Honours) degree in Veterinary Nursing. This is provided by several colleges and universities. Visit the UCAS website for more information. The degree is 4 years of full-time study and will lead to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Veterinary Nursing examination.
A higher national diploma (HND) is also available from some colleges.
British Veterinary Nursing Association
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)