On a veterinary nurse apprenticeship you’ll help provide expert nursing care for sick animals.
Veterinary nursing is the supportive care of animals receiving treatment at a veterinarian clinic.
As a veterinary nurse, you’ll work as part of a team to provide expert nursing care to sick animals. You’ll also play a key role in educating pet owners on how to keep their pets healthy.
Under the guidance of a veterinarian, you will conduct technical work and acquire expertise executing a range of diagnostic tests, medicinal treatments, and minor surgical procedures.
Veterinary nurses are licenced professionals who follow the standards and scope of practise established by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
What you’ll learn
On a veterinary nurse apprenticeship, you’ll learn to:
- Work in line with health and safety regulations.
- Work within the constraints of data protection legislation.
- Follow proper operational procedures and manufacturer instructions while using equipment, materials, or medicinal products.
- Use a variety of communication methods to communicate efficiently, politely, and properly.
- Organize nursing clinics
- Prepare and maintain all aspects of the veterinary practise at all times.
- Work in a safe and efficient manner.
- Prepare equipment, medication, and store, and dispose of appropriately.
- Control one’s own performance and growth.
- Take measures to improve your performance and competence.
- Take part in continuous professional and personal development.
- Use professional standards of practise to self-assess performance.
- Adhere to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct.
What you’ll do
Your day-to-day tasks on a veterinary nurse apprenticeship could be to:
- Maintain the cleanliness and hygienic conditions of the practise and its equipment.
- Prepare animals for therapy and assisting vets during treatment
- Provide medication, give injections, and remove sutures
- Take care of the animals at the hospital
- Counsell pet owners on how to handle and care for their animals.
- Carry out reception and administrative duties
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science for an advanced apprenticeship
Assessment methods
The End–Point Assessment consists of two components:
- A Professional Discussion
- A Practical Assessment in the form of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Working environment
You might work in a vet clinic or an animal care organisation.
Your job may be physically and emotionally demanding.
You may be required to wear a uniform as well as protective equipment.
Career path and progression
With more experience, you may take on more duties, such as practise management, managing and training new workers, or working in veterinary supplies.
You may also train to work for a zoo/wildlife park, a charity, a pharmaceutical company, or a boarding/breeding kennel.
With further schooling, you may be able to pursue a job as a professor or researcher.
Key facts
Duration: 30 months
Relevant school subjects: Science
Entry requirements: Five GCSEs, including English, maths and a science, or equivalent qualifications
Achievement upon completion: Level 3 (Advanced)—equivalent to A-levels
Potential salary upon completion: £21,000 per annum
Apprenticeship Standard
More information about the Level 3 Veterinary Nurse Apprenticeship standard can be found here.
Apprenticeship End Point Assessment
For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.
