Becoming a Veterinary Nurse

The work

Veterinary nurses help veterinary surgeons (vets) treat and look after sick and injured animals.

Nursing duties are the main part of their work. These include:

• holding animals and keeping them calm during treatment
• giving injections and drugs (under direction of the vet)
• collecting blood, urine and other samples and carrying out in-house lab work
• sterilising instruments
• taking x-rays
• preparing animals for operations
• assisting during operations by handing instruments and maintaining levels of anaesthetic
• carrying out minor procedures such as suture removal.

Other duties often include:

• taking care of in-patients (feeding, watering, cleaning quarters, grooming and exercising)
• conducting clinics for suture removal, post-operation checks and second vaccinations
• giving advice and information to owners about the care of their animals.
• Some veterinary nurses have administrative and reception duties.

Visit- www.veterinary-nursing.co.uk for a comprehensive guide and information on becoming a nurse.