Veterinary nurse
Career outlook for veterinary nurse
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£18,000
£18,000
Experienced
£26,000
£26,000
Currently employed in Scotland
1,400
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would give nursing care to sick and injured animals.
Your work would support a veterinary surgeon (vet). You would also play an important role in educating owners on good standards of animal care and welfare.
Many of the owners you talk to may be upset or anxious about their pets, so it would be important to have a kind and reassuring manner. You would also have to be very gentle with the animals you work with, as many of them will be fragile.
Tasks would vary with each animal, but in general you would:
- Prepare and carry out nursing care plans
- Hold animals and keep them calm during treatment
- Give injections and drugs as instructed by the vet
- Take blood, urine and other samples from animals, and carry out laboratory work at the practice
- Sterilise instruments
- Take x-rays
- Prepare animals for operations
- Help vets during operations
- Carry out minor procedures such as removing stitches
- Talk to clients about the care and progress of their animals
- Take care of animals staying in house (feeding, cleaning cages, grooming and exercising)
- Hold special clinics
- Give owners advice about caring for their animals
You might also have administration and reception duties.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
65%
Part-time
35%
Self employed
0%
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- Cooperating
- Verbal communication
- Problem solving
- Empathising
- Respecting
- Social conscience
- Attention to detail
- Developing a plan
- Reliable
- Recalling
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Qualifications
Entry for posts is usually very competitive.
You can qualify as a veterinary nurse either through working as a trainee and completing work-based training to gain an Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing or by completing a full time degree in Veterinary Nursing (SCQF level 9/10).
To enter a veterinary nursing diploma requires at least five National 5 qualifications and some courses ask for Highers.
You could also get a Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at Edinburgh and North Highland College.
SRUC Barony College offer a Veterinary Care Assistant Diploma at Level 2 and Level 3, plus a BSc/BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing.
Useful subjects
Most courses and employers require:
- English
- Maths
- A science subject
You will also need
Some courses and employers require relevant work experience.
You need to be fit as there is a lot of standing and lifting animals.
You should not be allergic to animals.
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show administration skills, excellent communication skills and experience working with animals such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Animal Care (SVQ level 2/3).
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