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Further education

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Original poster

Veterinary nursing - Further Ed route or degree?

29 replies

basilbrush · 17/05/2023 14:02

I was wondering if anybody had any knowledge experience of their child training to become a vet nurse or someone who has done it themselves?

As far as I can work out there are two options -

  1. Do a Level 3 Diploma in Vet Nursing at an FE College at age 16 which takes two or three years
  2. Do A levels including Biology at school and then apply to do a Vet Nursing degree which takes three or four years

There seems to a huge difference in the amount of money required to train - uni fees compared with no fees at all for FE!

Is there a big difference in starting salary / job opportunities / career progression for those who choose to go the degree route rather than the diploma route?

Am I right in thinking that to do the diploma you also need to be accepted by a local practice as an apprentice?

Any insight gratefully received!

OP posts:
Original poster
basilbrush · 19/05/2023 06:37

@TizerorFizz Yes, well I was asking myself the same question...

Trouble is, we live in a remote area and there is no FE College offering the Level 3 Diploma for over 70 miles. So my DC would have to either move away and stay with grandparents at 16 to attend an FE course near them or wait and do A-levels here and then try and get onto the degree course which wouldn't earn them any more money (based on the replies here)

So looks like we need to persuade DC to think about different career path!

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 18/05/2023 22:04

If degree vet nurses qualify at age 21/22 but others “qualify” at 18/19 and do exactly the same work and get paid the same, what on earth is the point of the degree? Why would anyone bother? Oddly, they do. I know someone with Vet Nursing and Bioveterinary science degree who is now working for the Government in a non animal role. More money!

1984Winston · 17/05/2023 14:11

I went to college to train, was paid for my hours at work whereas a lot of degree nurses weren't paid for their placements, at the end we were all paid the same so I would say College is better. However I would agree its not the best profession to go in, the hours are long, pay isn't great, your mental and physical health takes a toll and its difficult to do as you get older

Radyward · 17/05/2023 14:06

My brother in law is a vet
Said he would never recommend vet nursing. Pay is poor- expected to stay on to recover pets post op so not off on time atall and their receptionist can be trained in what the vet needs off a vet nurse that has been to college !!

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