Veterinary nurse

Are you a lover of cats, dogs and other animals? In this role, you'll support veterinary surgeons (vets) as they treat sick or injured animals.

As a veterinary nurse, you'll play an important role in educating owners about good standards of animal care and welfare. Many of the owners you talk to will be upset or anxious about their pets, so it's important you have a kind and reassuring manner.

You'll also need to be very gentle with the animals you work with, as many of them will be fragile. You'll carry out a range of basic veterinary tasks, depending on the animal you're dealing with. For example, a typical day may see you giving an injection to a guinea pig in the morning, then assisting the vet during an operation on a dog that afternoon.

Veterinary nurses generally also have administration and reception duties.

Your tasks might include:

• taking blood, urine or other samples from animals

• holding animals to keep them calm during treatment, giving injections and drugs as instructed by the vet

• performing x-rays and preparing animals ahead of operations

• carrying out minor procedures, such as removing stitches

• looking after animals that are staying in-house – this'll involve feeding, cleaning cages, grooming and exercising

• giving owners updates on their animals' progress and advising them on good care

• British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) – explore this community that empowers veterinary nurses

• The College of Animal Welfare – learn how to become a veterinary nurse in Scotland