Vet Nurse Apprenticeships
If you have ever wanted a career where you are paid to work with animals then this is the job for you. The job of a vet nurse can be a very rewarding one for animal lovers who value the lives of people’s pets and farmer’s livestock alike. It can also be stressful and down heartening at times as it is impossible to save every patient, and sometimes the owners can’t afford to pay for the treatment that would make the pet better, so they opt to euthanise them instead.
What is a Vet Nurse Apprenticeship?
A vet nurse apprenticeship will usually see you placed at a small to moderately-sized veterinary practice, the kind that are dotted around throughout our towns and cities. They may be an independent SME or they may be part of one of the large enterprises in the industry.
You will learn skills around how to safely handle different kinds of animals, what they find pleasant and what they find stressful. You will learn how to successfully treat the injuries that will undoubtedly come from this process, to avoid infection. Even the most experienced vet nurses still get scratched and bitten occasionally, so don’t be too hard on yourself if this feels challenging at first.
You will also learn how to measure and administer injections, and where you should do it with each animal to minimise distress, both yours and theirs. You will learn a lot of theory and practice in terms of infection control and the regulations surrounding this and you will be taught to keep meticulous records.
What are the Benefits of a Vet Nurse Apprenticeship?
Completing a vet nurse apprenticeship will mean you are eligible to apply for professional registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. This body is the one that regulates all of the veterinary profession in the UK and being accredited by them means that you are able to apply for further jobs within the industry.
The job of veterinary nurse is not one of the highest paid in the UK but being able to work with animals is also its own reward and for people who love them, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Be warned in advance, being a vet nurse tends to mean that you end up with a great many pets as well, this is just the nature of the job.
What Does a Vet Nurse Apprenticeship Involve?
As with all apprenticeships in the UK, a veterinary nurse apprenticeship standard has two components to it. You will have the actual job role where you are expected to learn and enhance your practical skills. This is referred to as on-the-job training and you also have off-the-job training, which is where you learn the written and technical aspects of what it is that you do. Off-the-job training should take 20% of your time compared to 80% for on-the-job training.
Am I suited to a vet nurse apprenticeship?
This is something that only you can answer. Really loving all kinds of animals and being a compassionate person is a great place to start from. If you start off not liking animals, this isn’t the job for you.
You need to be able to remain calm and patient as dealing with people whose pet is sick can be as difficult as dealing with the family of a sick patient at a hospital. Your customer service skills need to be top notch and you need to be able to inspire confidence in that what you are telling them is true.
Apply for a Vet Nurse Apprenticeship Today
If you haven’t done so yet, you should read reasons for starting an apprenticeship and who can start an apprenticeship, just to avoid any potential disappointment.
Once you have done this, you should take a look at our dedicated apprenticeship jobs board that will help you to find something suitable in your area.
