Vet Nursing Scotland

[Hdkatznahtw125sgh]

Not posting for me but a friend, they’re interested in vet nursing, early 30s and already have a degree and masters and work as a veterinary care assistant / receptionist.

Their practice isn’t approved to train vet nurses via the apprenticeship Level 3 diploma route (or any route) but this is the route my friend would favour but it seems quite difficult as an outsider to get on. Having spent 6 years at uni they would rather not have to do the 4 year degree and prefer to do an apprenticeship.

Has anyone any advice? If they can’t get on the apprenticeship route they probably will apply for the degree and some practices employ degree student VNs in their final year but would like to try and secure an apprenticeship first. The nearest uni does offer the L3 diploma but only with an apprenticeship. (UHI)

I’m an nhs nurse with a nursing degree so this is a different world. They are well aware of many issues and how difficult VN can be, poor pay and long hours etc but this is what they want to do.

thanks

How's your DF getting in now @Hdkatznahtw125sgh?

They could see if their current practice would have any chance of becoming a training practice. If that is completely impossible, they will likely have to try and get into a training practice as a receptionist or a nursing assistant, and work up to becoming a vet nurse. That's how most people I know have got onto the diploma route :) and how it worked for me!
They can go onto the RCVS website and find a list of approved training practices. I emailed every single one in my area asking regarding jobs before I was taken on as a nursing assistant.

Best of luck to them!

Contact every local training practice and keep an eye out in the vet times/vet nurse times for jobs. They may have to travel or relocate to train. But honestly with a degree and a masters get a better job. Vet nursing is absolute crap pay. Crap hours and no longevity. No one wants to do this job until retirement. It’s too physical.

Someone once said it’s a kept woman’s hobby job. And they are not wrong.