Veterinary nurse
Veterinary nurses support vets in the treatment and care of sick and injured animals.
- Potential salary
- £24,000 starter to £32,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 35 to 40 a week. Working pattern: evenings / weekends on a rota.
- Career area
- Animals and veterinary work
- Where they might work
- You could work at a veterinary practice or at an animal welfare centre. Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding. You may need to wear a uniform and protective clothing.
- A typical task
- prepare animals for treatment and assist vets during procedures
- Subjects that may help
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- Typical route
- You can do a foundation degree or degree in veterinary nursing. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has a list of accredited courses.
- Interest area used here
- Health and laboratory science
What you might do
- prepare animals for treatment and assist vets during procedures
- take X-rays, give injections and medication, and remove stitches
- care for in-patient animals
- keep the practice and equipment clean and hygienic
- talk to pet owners about treatment and care of their animals
- do reception and administrative duties
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- customer service skills
- knowledge of animal health
- the ability to work well with others
- knowledge of biology
- the ability to work well with your hands
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
More skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Routes into this career
University route
- You can do a foundation degree or degree in veterinary nursing. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has a list of accredited courses.
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Veterinary medicine
Related, but not enough on its own. Veterinary nursing is a separate register and course.
- Veterinary nursing
Direct qualifying route. Use an accredited veterinary nursing course. A vet degree is a different profession.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You can study for a Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at college.
- You'll spend some time in the classroom and periods of training on placement in a veterinary practice.
- The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has a list of approved training organisations offering the course.
- You can begin your career by doing a Veterinary Nurse Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
- The training takes up to 3 years to complete.
Other routes
- You could get some work experience with a vet, local kennels or animal welfare centre before you start training. You could also try animal charities like the PDSA or RSPCA.
Career progression
- With experience, you could: work as a supervisor or mentor new staff; manage a practice; move to a larger veterinary hospital; lecture in veterinary nursing science.
- You might also move into zoo or wildlife park work or sales of veterinary supplies.
Registration and requirements
you'll need to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
pass enhanced background checks
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science