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Veterinary Nurses

Veterinary nurses assist veterinarians in the treatment and care of sick or injured animals.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£ 8,933
£ 21,966
£ 32,499

New workers start around £8,933. Normal pay is £21,966 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to £32,499.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 20,410 vacancies for this type of job

5.34%

Projected job growth over the next 8 years

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • Advises clients on preventative medicine to maintain appropriate animal health and welfare.

  • Maintains the biosecurity of the veterinary premises.

  • Cares for animals in hospital accommodation and keeps accurate records.

  • Collects and analyses blood, urine and other samples.

  • Handles animals during treatment.

  • Dispenses and administers medication and applies dressings to animals under direction from the veterinarian.

  • Prepares operating theatre, sterilises equipment and assists in theatre as required.

  • Assists the veterinary surgeon during surgical and medical treatments of animals.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Nursing

  • Medical Ultrasonography

  • Surgery

  • Anesthesias

  • Small Animal Care

  • Animal Care

  • Endoscopy

  • Animal Welfare

  • Inpatient Care

  • Quality Improvement

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Communication

  • Customer Service

  • Enthusiasm

  • Management

  • Negotiation

  • Mentorship

  • Organizational Skills

  • Consulting

  • Operations

  • Detail Oriented

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

Routes to this career

See all

Veterinary Nursing Science

University Centre Sparsholt

FdSc · 3 Years · Full-time · Winchester · 2023-2024

Tariff points: 80/112

Veterinary Biosciences

Aberystwyth University

BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Aberystwyth · 2023-2024

Tariff points: 104/128

Veterinary Nursing

University Centre Askham Bryan

FdSc · 3 Years · Sandwich · York · 2023-2024

Tariff points: 90/90

Veterinary Nursing

Warwickshire College and University Centre

BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time · Warwick · 2024-2025

Tariff points: 104/104

Veterinary Nursing (Top-up)

University Centre Myerscough

BSc (Hons) · 2 Years · Distance learning (with some attendance) · Preston · 2023-2024

Tariff points: N/A

Veterinary Nursing

Plumpton College

FdSc · 3 Years · Full-time with year in industry · Lewes · 2024-2025

Tariff points: 64/64

Veterinary Nursing

Royal Veterinary College, University of London

FdSc · 3 Years · Full-time · London · 2023-2024

Tariff points: 40/96

Veterinary Nursing

Wrexham University

FdSc · 3 Years · Full-time · Northop · 2023-2024

Tariff points: 48/72

Veterinary Nursing

SRUC Scotland's Rural College

BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time · Dumfries · 2023-2024

Tariff points: 108/120

Veterinary Nursing

University of South Wales

FdSc · 3 Years · Full-time · Usk · 2023-2024

Tariff points: 64/64

Veterinary Nursing

University Centre Reaseheath

BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time with year in industry · Nantwich · 2023-2024

Tariff points: 112/112

Veterinary Physiotherapy

ARU Writtle (formally Writtle University College)

MVetPhys · 4 Years · Full-time · Chelmsford · 2023-2024

Tariff points: 128/128

Veterinary Science

University of Liverpool

BVSc · 5 Years · Full-time · Liverpool · 2024-2025

Tariff points: 96/144

Veterinary Medicine

University of Cambridge

MB · 6 Years · Full-time · Cambridge · 2023-2024

Tariff points: 152/152

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