Would you recommend veterinary nursing as a career?

RE: Would you recommend veterinary nursing as a career?

PHA86 — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 19:52:03 GMT

Not too stressful is largely inaccurate. After taking a bit of a step back in VNing over recent years, I can look at it from a good perspective. I would say there have been some really great highs in my career and some crashing lows. It’s a rollercoaster but I am overall proud of my job. I’m still not sure how I feel about going back to it full time, however.

RE: Would you recommend veterinary nursing as a career?

V E S — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 19:06:54 GMT

Glad you’re thinking of becoming a vet nurse!

Despite having many ups and downs, I am happy with my choice of career, I really can’t imagine myself doing much else!

I would fully research the profession and do as much work experience at a Vets as you can. Being a vet nurse can be challenging and extremely stressful - but very very rewarding too, especially seeing patients get better. It is varied, this can be from caring for a critical patient, to monitoring anaesthesia, to cleaning (a lot!!!) - especially urine, vomit etc!

Hope this answers your questions x

RE: Would you recommend veterinary nursing as a career?

enigmaticat-uk — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 18:12:57 GMT

Personally I am happy with my choice of vet nursing as a career. But my advice to anyone looking to get into this job is: Be realistic of your expectations. It can be a highly stressful job with long hours and limited salary. A large part of the job is cleaning/hygiene related and in some parts of the country, RVNs earn barely above minimum wage. If this is a career you are seriously considering, go & get some work experience at some local vet surgeries so you can see the real picture of what the job entails (this can vary greatly between different practices & regions so seeing a few practices is a good idea).

RE: Would you recommend veterinary nursing as a career?

steph fursland — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 09:24:33 GMT

Most nurses I know are happy with their choice of career, but it can be a hard slog to get qualified so I do think realistic expectations are important before you start out - as said above, salary, working weekends etc - but also in terms of the job itself.

Not everybody who loves animals wants to work with them in a medical setting (just like if you want to be a reception teacher it doesn’t follow you would want to be a paediatrician!) People vary in what they find stressful, and vet nurse jobs vary too, but I wouldn’t describe it as a classically low stress career....!

It would be a great idea (if you haven’t already) to get some work experience to see what its like first hand.

Good luck :-)

RE: Would you recommend veterinary nursing as a career?

Alison Clare Hickman — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 08:19:31 GMT

hello Linnea,

well, the first thing I would say is that it can be an extremely stressful job. Physically, mentally, financially and, if you are upwardly career progression driven, restrictive.

The second thing I would say is that it can be completely absorbing, fulfilling, heart-warming, worthwhile and meaningful.

The RVN qualification route exists in different forms; from Diploma up to Degree (various levels) with the opportunity, if you have funding, to top up with post qualification specialisms.

What I advise you to do is think deeply about where you want your career and life to be in 5, then 10 years time. Including what level of income you will expect from your job. The reason I say this is because you will find many nurses totally frustrated by their debt/low income and restricted life outside of nursing as a result, that they have little option but to leave the profession. Read a few posts made recently...

Whilst the above may sound negative, it is a realistic picture of nursing today. However, on the flip side... If you are able to live within your means and enjoy life, work in a profession that generally has a limited upwardly mobile career ladder (and be content with that, whatever your education), you cannot find a more exciting, fulfilling and exhaustive career anywhere.

hope that helps!