You’ll play a significant role educating owners about maintaining the health of their pets and will be responsible for keeping them informed when medical procedures are taking place. You’ll also be involved in a range of diagnostic tests, medical treatments and minor surgical procedures, working under the direction of a vet.
Veterinary Nurse
Looking after the health and treatments of people's pets as well as larger farm animals
How this role makes a difference
There are all kinds of animals that need veterinary care in this country. Not only the common domestic animals that many of us have as pets, such as dogs and cats, but also larger farm animals including cows, alpacas and sheep.
The animals each veterinary practice cares for depends on its location, but each one is responsible for delivering preventative treatments, as well as reactive care in response to accidents or illness. You could be the technician who supports animals receiving treatments and advises owners.
The kind of work you’ll do
- Preparing and maintaining all areas of the veterinary practice
- Preparing records, equipment and resources
- Managing and performing infection control procedures
- Supporting surgical procedures
- Preparing specimens for transportation
- Taking and processing radiographs
- Engaging with owners and taking good care of their pets
What you can bring to the role
Future career opportunities
Throughout your career you could work at different types of veterinary practices, choosing those that support the animals you’re interested in and wish to learn more about.
You could work within a veterinary group and move around to different practices, depending on where your skills are needed. Or you could progress to training others.
How to get into this role
There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.
But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:
- A T-level in Animal Care and Management (September 2024 onwards) after your GCSEs
- An apprenticeship as a Veterinary Nurse after finishing school or college
Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.