Becoming a veterinary nurse

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Job hunting at moment.

One thing I regret not doing was becoming a Vet, went down engineering route instead. Bit old now to train as a vet (esp as there is no where to train round here!). Thought about the possibility of being a vet nurse as I am happy and confident handling all sorts of animals and have done cat fostering. Cleaning up animals is nothing to me with our guinea pigs and cats.

I understand that you get accepted into a practice and if they are happy with you then you get to do training? Is that right?

What is the best way to approach surgeries? ring or write to the practice manager and ask if I could have a bit of work experience to see what the job is like? (feel a bit old for that too, but if it would help..)

If I could do part time 2-3 days a week, I think I'd be ok with dd going into holiday clubs. I need a job for my own sanity!

what do you reckon?

I know nothing about veterinary nursing but would say that you should ring or write in the first instance.

Maybe contact the RSPCA or an animal charity? I am sure they would welcome you with open arms!

Good luck

thank you

My DD is a Vet nurse - she got her job by writing to the practice manager.

Her practice is a large national one. She works, on average, 43 hours a week. They don't take people part-time. She used to have to travel between practices although she is based in just one now. She is on a rota to work bank holidays and weekends for standard pay, which is horrendous, just over minimum wage until she's qualified. She pays towards her training which as long as she passes she will get back. She works 8 hours between 8.30 and 7.30 every week day and often has to stay late.

She reckons she spends about 50% of the time on reception and cleaning, the rest is clearing animals up and helping in ops and the dreaded paperwork.

Despite all this, she absolutely loves the job. But my advice would be to find a smaller practice, although I imagine getting training may be harder.

Don't want to put you off but thought this might be an idea of what it's like. Of course, someone will now come and tell you about their lovely job in a practice where none of the above happens and they go in for a few hours and all is good!

All the nurses have had some sort of experience with animals similar to the experience you have described so that would give you a start anyway.

Good luck!

thank you - its is good to hear the practicalities