Veterinary nurses are a vital part of the veterinary team providing expert support for ill animals under the direction of a veterinary surgeon.  They are skilled at undertaking a range of diagnostic tests including blood sampling, radiographs, minor surgical treatment, supportive therapy to hospitalised patients and much more.  They also have a key part to play in educating owners on the health of their pets.

You can train to be a small animal veterinary nurse or an equine nurse. 

For the small animal veterinary nurse training and equine training you need to be employed in a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) approved veterinary nursing training centre (TP), or as a student on a higher educational based veterinary nurse course.  Some colleges/universities now offer an integrated degree or HND course for small animal training.

A list of approved practices is available on the RCVS website – www.rcvs.org.uk.

Training for the small animal veterinary nurse qualification takes two years whilst working within the practice.  It comprises of work-based assessments as well as theoretical and practical exams in the first and second years.

Entry Requirements
GCSE
You will need to be 17 years or over and achieved a minimum level of qualifications which are:
5 GCSE’s at Grade C or above.

These passes must include English Language and two science subjects, one of which may be mathematics.

Alternative qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the GCSE’s, which will be at the discretion of the RCVS.
If you do not achieve the required entry requirements, the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) provides an access qualification (Level 2 Certificate for Animal Nursing Assistants). 

Further details can be obtained from www.bvna.org.uk

Skills and Knowledge Required by a Small Animal Veterinary Nurse include: 

• Client communication eg in-patient update, advice on products and services
  
• Promotion of Preventative healthcare
• Assisting with operations
• Nursing of longer term in-patients
• Undertaking minor surgical procedures
• Performing laboratory tests
• Assisting on reception with client care
• Dispensing of medication
• Pharmacology knowledge
• Radiographs (x-rays)of animals, under the direction of a veterinary surgeon
• Cleaning to keep disease-causing organisms to a minimu, creating a clean environment
• Nurse clinic consultations eg "weight watchers", diabetic clinics and dental clinics etc
• Sterilising of surgical instruments and equipment
• Teamwork with veterinary surgeons and receptionists