RE: Zoo nursing- how to go about it

V E S — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 21:41:31 GMT

This is fab, thank you! I also hope to do zoo/exotics nursing eventually :-)

RE: Zoo nursing- how to go about it

Hannah Farthing — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 07:44:20 GMT

This is perfect!! Exactly what I wanted to know, thank you so much!! ☺️

RE: Zoo nursing- how to go about it

Celine — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 06:50:07 GMT

Hi Hannah, Zoo VN here.

There's no course you can do or extra qualification that will automatically get you a zoo job. Not every zoo even has their own vet team, sometimes the work is outsourced to a local practice. There are about 10 zoos I can think of with in England+ Scotland with a vet department.

So why do you want to be a zoo VN? Do you have an interest in exotics? Often zoo work is reactionary so personally I think if I was hiring and looking for an ideal job candidate for a zoo VN position I'd like someone who has been there and done that.

1) Lots of clinical experience. Ideally with some emergency practice. You need to be unflappable. Let's say at least 5 years in practice. Collapsed cyanotic geriatric cat? Fine. Hit by car dog with femur poking through skin? You've got this.

2) Exotics experience. Birds and reptiles mostly, a mammal is a mammal so a monkey is basically a dog or a cat, depending on what size it is but birds and reptiles have more specific requirements. Large animal/equine experience would be great too for the hoofstock. Further to my comment about small zoos outsourcing their veterinary provision, try to get a job in those practices!

3) A commitment to conservation and proof of this in having spent a good chunk of time working or volunteering, probably abroad, for a wildlife conservation charity. At least three months. A true modern zoo is genuinely committed to conservation of habitat and wild populations. If you've sweated over a pangolin GA by torchlight whilst being bitten by mosquitoes then you probably have the attributes we're after.

In a nutshell, I'm not interested in anyone who swans in talking about how much they want to work with tigers and elephants. They are, obviously, wonderful animals. But I need someone who has a global holistic view and will fight to do the right thing for every little poison dart frog too.

Feel free to join the Association of Zoo and Exotics Veterinary Nurses (www.AZEVN.org) We have a two-day workshop every year and it's a great opportunity to learn and share ideas and network. You can find us on Facebook too!