Becoming a Veterinary Nurse. How to?

Anominity · 3 Aug 2010 at 13:09

Hey guys, wondering if anyone on the all encompassing OCUK forums has ever done this, or looked into it.

I have for a long time wanted to get into this kind of field, but for one reason or another I have not, and am now stuck (7 fraking years) in the corporate jungle and hating every minute of it.

From browsing the web it states to start with you need 5 GCSE's at C or higher including English Language and a biological or physical science or maths. I have all of that no worries.

Its the next step which I have no idea how to do.

Do I need to give up my job? (Hell don't get me wrong, I would love to! but I do need the money...)

Unfortunately I cannot qualify as a Surgeon due to the more stringent requirements, but I am sure I can live with the "Nurse" tag until I can make a plan.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Westwood · 3 Aug 2010 at 13:32

Well my girlfriend moved from office work to become a trainee vet nurse last year (age 27) and had to find work in a vets that were happy to put her through all the training, which she was lucky to find at her age (and she now has gone to earning minimum wage

). So I am not much help to you but I will ask her and post what she tells me if nobody beats me to it. I should be speaking with her later on tonight.

Marky · 3 Aug 2010 at 13:33

LOL nurse.

Kidding

I think it'd be tricky to train whilst not having a job as obviously you need the moola to live - however it's tricky to train with a job so I'm not too sure :\

Good luck though! Doing a job you hate isn't healthy

Anominity · 3 Aug 2010 at 15:01

Westwood: Well my girlfriend moved from office work to become a trainee vet nurse last year (age 27) and had to find work in a vets that were happy to put her through all the training, which she was lucky to find at her age (and she now has gone to earning minimum wage ). So I am not much help to you but I will ask her and post what she tells me if nobody beats me to it. I should be speaking with her later on tonight.

Thanks mate, I am 26, so her experiences shouldn't be too dissimilar to mine.

Marky: LOL nurse.

Kidding
I think it'd be tricky to train whilst not having a job as obviously you need the moola to live - however it's tricky to train with a job so I'm not too sure :\

Good luck though! Doing a job you hate isn't healthy

Yeah tell me about it, why can't they rename to Veterinary Technician or something

Everything I have read points to the fact I may indeed have to give up my job and work for next to nothing whilst training with a surgery, like Westwoods' gf :S

Marky · 3 Aug 2010 at 15:04

To be honest, if it was me and I knew that it would be something I would love doing - in my eyes it would be worth it giving up the current standard of living for a while.

Maybe start saving some money each month for the days when you only work weekends and train during the week...

DailyGeek · 3 Aug 2010 at 15:06

I'm a careers adviser, but I'm also lazy, so here you go

Veterinary Nurse

Getting in

There are around 7,700 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)-qualified veterinary nurses in the UK. Most work for veterinary practices. Jobs are also available in veterinary hospitals, in animal welfare centres and colleges, in charities such as the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) and in some larger zoos and wildlife centres.
Jobs may be advertised in local newspapers and specialist publications. The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) operates an employment register. Vacancies may also be found on the TP Times, PDSA and RSPCA (Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) websites and at www.vetsonline.com.
Entry routes
A popular training route is an RCVS-approved training scheme which includes on-the-job training and attendance at an RCVS-approved college.

Applicants to an RCVS-approved training scheme must:

be at least 16 years of age

have a minimum of five GCSEs (grades A*-C), including English, maths and a science, or equivalent qualifications.

The RCVS website has a list of colleges that are approved to deliver training.
The RCVS scheme is often delivered as an Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships provide structured training with an employer and will pay at least £95 per week from August 2009. A recent survey found that the average wage for apprentices was £170 a week. Entry to Employment (e2e) can help to prepare those who are not yet ready for an Apprenticeship. More information is available on the Apprenticeship page on this website, from a Connexions personal adviser or at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
It is also possible to enter this career upon successful completion of a degree or foundation degree in veterinary nursing, which can lead to registration as a veterinary nurse. Entry requirements may vary, and applicants should check with their local college or university. Degree courses are usually studied over three or four years depending on the type of course chosen.
Generally, experience of voluntary or paid work in a veterinary practice or kennels or with an animal charity is useful.
Training

The RCVS training scheme usually takes at least two years. Nurses undergo college- based training, a large part of which is made up of work placements. It is also possible to follow the training on a part-time employed basis. Training of this nature is usually expected to take three years.
The training scheme for veterinary nurses is currently undergoing review and change; therefore it is advisable to check the current training details on the RCVS website, www.rcvs.org.uk
The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) represents the veterinary nursing profession and offers employment support, education and training to members. Membership is open to anyone interested in the profession.
Getting on

There may be promotion opportunities for experienced veterinary nurses to supervisor, senior practice nurse or manager. These are more likely in larger animal hospitals and practices.
Some veterinary nurses may choose to develop an interest in different aspects of animal health, such as behaviour or alternative therapy. Some may move into training or lecturing or become a veterinary drugs company representative.
Veterinary nurses wishing to work overseas must check the suitability of their qualifications with the relevant countries' veterinary boards.

J1234 · 3 Aug 2010 at 15:24

My girlfriend is also a veterinary nurse.

She's doing a foundation degree in it which takes three years, then she wants to do a further year to get an honours degree and then go on to specialise in a certain area(s) to work at a referral practice. I think you can also do NVQs etc at colleges and become a nurse but can't go directly to a head nurse like you can with a degree, or something like that.

You will probably need to give up your job as you work on the days that you aren't studying and keep a huge portfolio of all the things you do.

Any questions you want me to ask?

wordy · 3 Aug 2010 at 15:28

Mine used to be a veterinary nurse.

She got a job at a vets and was trained up at there. They didn't put her through any formal training so shw didn't get any qualifications, so it will depend on the surgery itself what type of training you get.

vertica · 3 Aug 2010 at 16:16

I recently had this exact conversation with my local vet on behalf of my sister,
You best bet is to try going to a local practice, talking to the owner and trying to get some work experience (do it for free, maybe a few hours a week), even if it is just observation initially. This looks very good on your application for the qualifications, shows you are committed and truely interested etc.

Anominity · 3 Aug 2010 at 16:20

Justin said:
My girlfriend is also a veterinary nurse.

She's doing a foundation degree in it which takes three years, then she wants to do a further year to get an honours degree and then go on to specialise in a certain area(s) to work at a referral practice. I think you can also do NVQs etc at colleges and become a nurse but can't go directly to a head nurse like you can with a degree, or something like that.

You will probably need to give up your job as you work on the days that you aren't studying and keep a huge portfolio of all the things you do.

Any questions you want me to ask?

Yeah that sounds pretty much what I would like to do. The main answers I need are based around the financial aspect of it.
How much does it cost?
How much can you expect to be paid whilst training? (hopefully not minimum wage like Westwoods gf!) {Maybe I can sort out any IT issues the practise has while I am there for a bonus

}
How much can you expect to make once the training is complete?

I am by no means well off, so those are my main concerns. I have a little saved, but not enough to live off for 3 years of training!

vertica said:
I recently had this exact conversation with my local vet on behalf of my sister,
You best bet is to try going to a local practice, talking to the owner and trying to get some work experience (do it for free), even if it is just observation initially. This looks very good on your application for the qualifications.

That sounds wise, do that on weekends and evenings if I can. Will look into it in my local area.

Thanks for everyones input so far, very much appreciated.

J1234 · 3 Aug 2010 at 17:14

Anominity said:
Yeah that sounds pretty much what I would like to do. The main answers I need are based around the financial aspect of it.
How much does it cost?
How much can you expect to be paid whilst training? (hopefully not minimum wage like Westwoods gf!) {Maybe I can sort out any IT issues the practise has while I am there for a bonus }
How much can you expect to make once the training is complete?

I am by no means well off, so those are my main concerns. I have a little saved, but not enough to live off for 3 years of training!

The tuition fee was about £3300 iirc. The work throughout the course is unpaid (though fortunately the vet she is at does pay her, but only when she is covering when someone is off sick. I think this is the only way they are allowed to pay her due to her being a 'student nurse').

I'm not sure on the salary when qualified, but I will find out for you, though I don't think it's much above the average.

You could get a student loan to help you out though (I assume you can, even though you're older than the 'normal' student age?).