Veterinary nursing degree - worth doing?

[Naem]

Hi DD (doing her GCSEs this year) has started talking about doing a veterinary nursing degree (in the UK where we live). I didn't know these existed until now (and still don't seem to exist in Australia, where I am from - and where she sometimes threatens to move, as they have more exciting animals).
I am not sure if this is because she doesn't want the stress of trying to get into veterinary school (where I believe you need top A levels, and by and large chemistry, and she doesn't want to do chemistry for A levels). For veterinary nursing it seems you only need Biology, and the A levels requirements seem to be much lower (eg BCC).
I am trying to get my head around this though. It sounds like it does lead to a definite career with animals, which maybe makes sense. But in some ways she is quite academic (I reckon she could handle chemistry, just she dislikes the chemistry teacher at her school, and that has contaminated her view of the subject, so she is refusing to contemplate it for A levels). I can't quite work out if she is underselling herself.
Does anybody have information on veterinary nursing as a career? Does it allow for further academic study if that was an interest (eg could she do a masters in zoology with a veterinary nursing degree, or is the course too practical)?
And just generally thoughts?

Before she makes a decision check out some of these nhs roles. Obviously with people not animals.
Better hours and career structure.
Obviously if it has to be animals rather than human animals it won’t help.

health professions:

Art Therapists
Dramatherapists
Music therapists
Chiropodists/podiatrists
Dietitians
Occupational therapists
Operating Department Practitioners
Orthoptists
Osteopaths
Paramedics
Physiotherapists
Prosthetists and Orthotists
Radiographers
Speech and language therapists

Audiology
Autonomic neurovascular function
Cardiac physiology
Clinical perfusion science
Critical care science
Gastrointestinal physiology
Neurophysiology
Ophthalmic and vision science
Respiratory physiology
Urodynamic science
Vascular science

OP
If your daughter doesn't enjoy chem, she shouldn't take it. Seriously. There are many other subjects which lead on very nicely to progression and career options.

@OnTheHillNotOverIt Unfortunately it has to be animals. People are far less interesting, apparently!

My vet uses degree qualified vet nurses for things that other vet nurses are not permitted to do. For example, second vaccinations of dogs. They are paid £6k a year more.

I know as DS’s godmother is the mother of our vet nurse. As soon as they realised her level of qualification she was offered an increase in salary and responsibilities.

I agree with @CuriousDuck CuriousDuck

I have done many years as a qualified vet nurse and I am as hard a nails but I have seen things that have given me serious mental health issues and euthanasia doesn't even register. Euthanasia is a privilege as is the ability to use strong pain killers. It's the way I have been treated by co-workers and employers and the things I have had to keep my mouth shut about as well as the things I have seen and had to take part in that has me strongly advising against it as a career.
I had my heart set on it too but at one point I wanted to train as a human nurse but didn't quite have the confidence. I wish I had found that confidence because veterinary is largely ungoverned and that is at the bottom of most of the issues I have encountered.

Bristol used to do Vet nursing and Bioveterinary science. You needed Chemistry A level though. Friends DD did it. It looks like they don’t do this course now but offer animal behaviour with their vet nursing degree. Applicants need a second science though, but the interpretation of that is broad.

I would say, on balance, the best courses are the ones at the veterinary schools. You get amazing facilities and obviously work in their animal hospitals which are world class. I’ve seen the equine one at Bristol (our thoroughbred racehorse went there) and Liverpool is first class too.

For anyone doing Chemistry A level, Bioveterinary science is a possibility but A level requirements are higher.

Most people do work experience in the 6th form or take riding lessons and care for the horses before that. I think very maintained contact with animals helps and having your own is a definite benefit.

Hi there! I’m a RVN (registered veterinary nurse). There are 2 routes into nursing either a diploma (level 3) or a degree usually BSc (level 6 or level 5 if you do a foundation degree).
Once qualified RVNs have many opportunities to go on with further study like a masters or PhD and many other veterinary specific qualifications like a VTS.
Being an RVN is a rewarding career but like anything has it’s ups and downs. The RVC is a fantastic place to study and I actually work at the university hospital on site.
If your daughter is still interested in nursing then please feel free to message me back and I’d be happy to start an email chat with any questions you may have!
If she attends the RVC there’s a pretty high chance we’ll meet!

Please email me! There’s been a lot of fake or misinformation given to you on these threads and I want you to have all your questions answered properly!!
[email protected]

perhaps 20-30 years ago. Things have changed somewhat

PM me - I work for the College of Animal Welfare and we deliver vet nursing quals as both degree and diploma, happy to talk options with you

@Naem
listen to @lollyRVN but also look at some of the newer vet schools - not all require an A in chemistry - more if the modern universities are looking for all round applicants for veterinary medicine do don’t discount this entirely, but your DD needs to do the research - they are quite different careers.

veterinary nursing in the UK is very different to Australia and much more rigorous. UK RVNs are highly valued internationally. Post graduate diplomas in areas such as oncology, anaesthesia or critical care are possible and RVNs can work in academia too. I’d certainly support my child training as a vet nurse rather than doing zoology which doesn’t actually qualify you for anything.

salary expectations are different between vets and RVNs and both jobs involve working extensively with people - so she should definitely be a people person not just have a liking for animals.

Hi @FurAndFeathers - we were actually looking at some of the newer Vet schools - and notices that the UCLAN doesn't require Chemistry, just two sciences.
On the other hand, while they include Economics as a Science and a whole host of others, they don't seem to include Geography.
She is doing Biology, Geography and a language in the end (she started doing Maths, but has been finding it a real challenge, and the teachers have basically said what was said in this thread - www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4007205-How-maths-GCSE-result-predicts-A-level-maths-result-important-for-grade-6-7)
She got a good 7 (ie halfway between a 7 and an 8) in Maths, but was finding they were moving very fast - and while she could probably keep up with a tremendous amount of work, she was feeling it probably didn't make sense given what she wanted to do. She has always been particularly strong in MFL. I hope it is not a mistake though.

Students do need a decent science background to apply to vet medicine. Perhaps look at a Foundation year/access course if she genuinely wants to do vet medicine - but it’s important that she wants to do it!

Well at the moment she thinks she prefers veterinary nursing. She has always done reasonably well in science (she got an 8 for Biology, 7s for Maths and Chemistry, and one mark off a 7 for Physics), just only taking Biology (and Geography) for A levels. She was considering the Nottingham foundation veterinary medical course - but that seems to be the only one which you can take not having done chemistry at A levels. All the other foundation courses seem to be for widening participation, and despite the State School and the fact that she was technically a Young Carer at one stage (helping with her older brother, but after he turned 18 he moved into a nursing home so she hasn't been for the last three years) she doesn't fit any of the other WP criteria. So as best I can see, none of the other foundation programmes are relevant. And i agree she has got to want to, if she prefers veterinary nursing then presumably that is what she should go for.

I can't believe you need a degree for it. It is such a shame that vet nursing and indeed human nursing can't be learnt on the job anymore.

It is kind of ridiculous. I am an accountant and you don't need a degree for that!

I know someone who did the Nottingham foundation course. She had very high grade A levels but not Chemistry. She’s very bright but was poorly advised! The vet Sci courses really do get to choose from highly qualified young people.

if nursing is a degree, vet nursing is too! The whole science of medicine keeps changing and purely work based isn’t good enough.

I trained as a vet nurse, I didn't do the degree route but trained at college one day a week, we were just as good as the degree nurses!! It isn't a forever career though generally, most nurses I know give it up once they get to their 30's/40's and then struggle to know what else to do. It's hard work, unsociable hours, physical, mentally draining, money isn't good, definitely a vocation

@Naem it won't let me read your private message can you try again?

I have sent it again, but if you can't read it the first time, do you think it will let you read it the second? Are you able to DM me?

I will try DM you, it won't let me from the app tho.

I've managed to read it and have replied!