Veterinary nursing offers rewarding career opportunities for people interested in animal health and welfare. Veterinary nurses play a key role in veterinary practice by providing expert supportive care and treatments for sick animals and by assisting animal owners to maintain the health of their pets. Veterinary nurses are accordingly key members of the veterinary team.
The demand for veterinary nurses is steadily increasing and employment prospects are excellent. Most veterinary nurses work in general clinical practice where, with post-qualification experience, they often lead teams of more junior nurses and nursing assistants and organise nursing clinics. In the UK veterinary nurses most frequently specialise in small animal work (cats, dogs and other small animals kept as household pets), however a growing number choose to work with horses or join mixed practices where both pets and farm animals seen.
Veterinary nurses also work in a diversity of other settings such as animal welfare organisations, zoos and the pharmaceutical and veterinary supplies industries. Rewarding opportunities exist in colleges and universities for those interested in teaching or research.
For further information, please download the veterinary nursing careers information leaflet from the 'Related documents' box on the top right or consult the questions about VN training page.
If you are interested in becoming a veterinary nurse, find out more about the different qualifications available on the Qualifications pages.
You can also contact the Veterinary Nursing Department at the RCVS.