Gaining a Trainee Veterinary Nurse Position??

RE: Gaining a Trainee Veterinary Nurse Position??

Keely Young — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 21:14:07 GMT

Keep going!!

I gained a BSc (Hons) in Bioveterinary Science in 2012, followed by an MScR at Edinburgh Vet School in Veterinary Parasitology in 2014 - I then decided, at the age of 24, research wasn't a career for me and that I wanted to be back working with animals, combining education/science and animal care and welfare and so, after some research, started to write to all the RCVS accredited training practices around my area and a little further afield.

I didn't get many replies from the (what felt like) hundreds of letters I sent out, but the replies I did get were helpful and that is how I found the brilliant position I'm in now I train at college 1 day a week and work the other 4 (including some weekends) - at work is where I gain most of the experience to expand my Nursing Progress Log and I do my exams and assignments whilst in college. It's very much hard work and has to become a lifestyle for a while, but I wouldn't change any of it!

I would say just keep going, keep gaining experience where you can and start sending out letters to all the accredited training practices just enquiring and getting your name out there. Good luck!

RE: Gaining a Trainee Veterinary Nurse Position??

Keelz — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 17:15:05 GMT

I am in my 2nd year training, and I attend college once a week, the other days I work. Its just over 2 years the course, and consists of in house exams, city and guilds exams and then OSCES (final practical exams)

I started off with work experience In October 2013, I was only there for a few months doing a couple of nights a week, whilst working in an office job! I was lucky enough to be given a position as a student nurse in February 2014. I was already doing an animal care level 2 diploma in college, so I waited until Sept 2014 to start my vet nurse training. I do my training at Proco NW in Wigan. You have to be employed by a surgery to do it this way doing 16hrs+.

You can train another way, by enrolling with Myerscough. They do it differently, by training in blocks. So you will study for so many weeks, then go to a practice for placement to learn practical skills. You get one full year of practical placement. You don't need to be employed by doing it this way, however you do need a placement at a practice (usually unpaid)

I believe they do online courses now where you can train via distance learning, not sure I agree with it this way!!

I think it really is a case of just being lucky enough to gain a position, but if you check on here and Synergy Vets they sometimes have student placement available. Ive seen a few recently, I think they were in the Warrington area.

Hope this helps :)

RE: Gaining a Trainee Veterinary Nurse Position??

Emmacampbell — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 15:35:07 GMT

I went a similar route as to yourself. I graduated in 2001 with illustration/printmaking degree and it took me a while but I eventually gained a veterinary receptionist job and then progressed to gaining a student veterinary nurse position at a different practice. The more experience you can get the better so sounds like you are doing all the right things. I'm loving everyday working as a vet nurse and so glad I changed career although I do still do pet portraits from time to time. Good luck with getting a position.