Veterinary Nurses

The Veterinary Nurse role is integral to every practice and there is a common misconception that nurses are just ‘mini-vets,’ when in fact the two jobs are very different. Nurses work alongside Veterinary Surgeons to provide a high standard of care to injured and sick animals. 

Often working full days at the hospital, then studying in their evenings, our veterinary nurses train long and hard to gain their qualifications. Registered Veterinary Nurses must achieve a qualification (either a Degree or Diploma) which involves practical and theoretical training (in practice and at college) covering a range of topics. The practical training must take place in an RCVS approved training practice and with limited positions available, students may struggle to secure a placement. 

Once in placement, trainee nurses must complete a Progress Log online which consists of a variety of cases to demonstrate their competence. To qualify, nurses must also sit various written and practical exams over two or three years (depending on which qualification route they choose). The topics covered in a nurses training are as follows:-

• Anatomy and physiology
• Professional responsibilities and ethics
• Infection and immunity
• Pharmacology
• Animal handling and restraint
• Applied animal welfare, health and husbandry
• Nutrition and feeding
• Nursing models and care plans
• Fluid therapy
• Anaesthesia and analgesia
• Theatre practice and surgical nursing
• Diagnostic imaging and aids, such as radiography and laboratory

A nurse’s role is not limited to offering advice to clients, they are skilled professionals who are trained in many areas of the practice. All this training means our qualified nurses are able to perform xrays, monitor anaesthetics, take blood and run laboratory diagnostics, dispense and administer medications and much, much more (oh and, of course, provide lots of cuddles and care to patients visiting the hospital)! In the world of Veterinary Nursing, no two days are the same and every day is a challenge!

Nurses are taught heaps of information about animal healthcare and can give you much valued advice about many aspects of your pet's welfare. At de Montfort Veterinary Hospital we offer daily nurse consultations covering a wide range of conditions, such as:-

• Dental consultations and preventative care advice
• Weight checks and nutritional information
• Blood sampling
• Blood pressure monitoring
• New pet checks
• Flea and worm treatment
• Nail clips
• Microchipping
• Lifestage – from puppies and kittens right through to senior pets

Click here to find out more about the nurses at de Montfort Veterinary Hospital.

To find out more about a career in Veterinary Nursing or more general information, please visit www.bvna.org.uk

If you would like to book an appointment, please call the practice on 01386 446 095.