6 reasons to pursue a career in veterinary nursing
Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) are integral to the veterinary practice team, working alongside other professions to provide quality, holistic care to their patients. This rewarding yet challenging role is an esteemed career path with many benefits and opportunities.
Enjoy a varied role
As a veterinary nurse, you will never have a dull or slow working day. An RVN has a vital role in nursing decision-making, holistic care of their patients, interprofessional relationships, and client communication. RVNs can work across many practice types, from first-opinion small animal clinics to specialised referral units undertaking cutting-edge surgery. The role can also involve a wide species range, with many nurses focusing on specific species or particular clinical areas.
Travel and work abroad
Once qualified as an RVN and registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the RVN is a desirable asset, so your skillset is highly sought after if you wish to travel or move to a different country.
Close interactions with animals
It’s no secret that most veterinary nurses are huge animal lovers, and that is a big draw to the job. Every day, meeting different animals and working hard to monitor and improve their health is extremely rewarding. Interacting with animals decreases stress-related hormones and lowers blood pressure. Many other studies outline the health benefits of being around animals.
However, the role of the RVN is as much about people, clinical judgement, professionalism, and using evidence-based practice as it is about working directly with the animals, so you will develop many skills that are transferable to other career paths, too.
Great career progression
There are many options if you are still deciding whether to pursue a veterinary nursing qualification or want to gain an understanding first. Veterinary care support, patient care assistance, animal first aid or microchipping qualifications are a good starting point. If you qualify as a veterinary nurse, you can further your study with an advanced diploma and choose a specific pathway, for example, practice nursing or surgical studies.
Many of the skills developed in your career as an RVN will allow you to transfer to other career paths if you so choose. Many RVNS work successfully in industry, education, management, and practice ownership.
Learn new things every day
The role of a veterinary nurse is so varied it allows the development of skills and knowledge that go beyond the initial syllabus you learn to pass your examinations. More experienced colleagues around you will guide and support your growth so you can hone your skills.
Veterinary nurses can be found at senior levels within veterinary practice, industry, and education. The veterinary professionals you meet along the way can be valuable guides and mentors to support your development so you can hone your skills to suit your career path.
Have a positive impact on lives
Pet owners adore their animals, and you will be the helping hand that provides the treatment they need. You will also support the humans in the equation, giving advice, guidance, reassurance, and honesty. Most people cannot provide life-saving care for animals; the impact RVNs have on the lives of pets and their owners is remarkable.
Veterinary nurses are compassionate, excellent communicators and work flawlessly as a team. If this sounds like you and you are interested in becoming a veterinary nurse or working in the veterinary sector, VetSkill has plenty of qualifications on offer with a host of industry experience.
