Steps to starting a career in Veterinary Nursing
Step 1. Research your options to decide if you prefer the Apprenticeship Level 3 Diploma route for training or a Degree. Further information can be found on University websites and at this link:
https://bvna.org.uk/information-on-training/
and
https://animalowners.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-careers/i-want-to-be-a-veterinary-nurse/
Taking the Apprenticeship route?
Step 2. Have you got the entry requirements? These are five GCSEs at grade C (5) or above in English language, Maths and a Science plus two others or:
suitable equivalents such as Level 3 in Animal Management (merit+) as well as GCSEs at grade C (5) or above in English & maths or Level 2 Functional Skills in English & maths.
Step 3. Getting some work experience or a Saturday job (e.g. kennel assistant) in a veterinary practice to sample life as a VN to give you an insight into the role.
Step 4. Finding employment in a veterinary practice, approved to train student Veterinary Nurses. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) provide a list of approved training practices. Please follow this link to find training practices in your area so you can make contact with staff there:
Step 5. Discuss training options with the practice management team as they will decide when you will start your VN training.
If you decide veterinary nursing is not for you but you would still like to study & work with animals, you may wish to consider the animal based courses at Hadlow College:
https://www.hadlow.ac.uk/courses/animal-management