Working with Swayne & Partners

	•	Are you interested in animal health and welfare?
	•	Would you enjoy practical work in a veterinary surgery?
	•	Would you like to learn how to provide expert nursing care for animals and support for their owners?
	•	Do you enjoy studying biology?
	•	Are you well organised and good at working as part of a team?

Veterinary Nursing is the care of animals receiving treatment within a veterinary practice. A veterinary nurse works as part of the veterinary team, providing expert supportive care for sick animals under the direction of a veterinary surgeon. In addition, veterinary nurses are skilled in undertaking a range of diagnostic tests, medical treatments and minor surgical procedures under veterinary direction. They also play a significant role in the education of owners about maintaining the health of their pets.

Before training can commence you need to have obtained five GCSE’s at grade C or above which must include maths, english and a science.

Once you are 17, you can enrol as a student veterinary nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

There are several ways in which you can train as a veterinary nurse.

Work based NVQ training involves at least two years working within an approved veterinary nurse training practice, and college is attended on a day release basis to obtain the theoretical part of training. The practical training is run in conjunction with a NVQ level 2 & 3 qualification which is completed during the remaining four days at the practice. At the end of each year, along with completion of the NVQ, the student takes an exam set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Students can also attend a university to complete a degree in veterinary nursing. They should apply through UCAS in the normal manner.

If a student does not have the relevant qualifications to begin training as a veterinary nurse, there are several types of ‘pre-veterinary nurse’ courses they may attend, either once employed or before they commence employment.

Once you have successfully completed your training and assessments, you will be awarded a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Veterinary Nursing and will be eligible to register on the RCVS List of Veterinary Nurses. Your entry in the List entitles you, by law, to practice as a veterinary nurse under veterinary direction.