What Does a Vet Nurse Do? Expectations Vs. Reality

If you are looking for a hands-on, varied job that has you caring for some of our most vulnerable family members and allows you to be a trusted member of the community, a career as a vet nurse might be right up your street.

Life in the vet nursing field can be rewarding in many ways. As an added perk, employment in the vet nurse sector is highly positive, with solid growth over the last five years in Australia that is expected to continue well into the future. 

So, what can you expect in a role as a vet nurse? 

Like most jobs, there is often more to being a vet nurse than meets the eye.

Veterinary nurses are an essential part of a veterinary team and have a respected position in any practice.

This diverse role brings new experiences daily. The job may involve supervising other staff in animal health and requires solid knowledge in clinical animal care and veterinary practice procedures.

A day in vet nursing can include tasks like:

Like any job, vet nursing is suited to some more than others. There needs to be more than a love for little furry creatures — you need a genuine desire to work hard to improve animals’ health and physical wellbeing.

What are some signs that vet nursing is your perfect career?

Completed formal qualifications, adequate hands-on work experience and ongoing professional development ensure that vet nurses are trained at the highest level.

In this sought-after role, vet nurses must have at least a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. The entry requirements for this qualification often involve previous studies such as a Certificate II in Animal Studies or equivalent.

To gain more advanced skills in vet nursing, a diploma in veterinary nursing can be completed.

VET course providers like TAFEs or RTOs (registered training organisations) often have flexible learning conditions for these qualifications. They can be taken full-time or part-time, and fee subsidies are available for eligible learners.

Once you have completed your qualification, you can join The Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia Inc (VNCA). Membership in the VNCA allows vet nurses access to the Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Registration Scheme. It also offers a host of helpful occupational resources plus access to further development and a strong network of industry leaders for support.

If vet nursing isn’t feeling like the right career move for you, don’t worry — there are plenty of other roles in animal care that might be.

Whether you think a career as a vet nurse is perfect for you, or you’d like to continue your search for the ideal animal welfare job that allows you to exercise your personable, nurturing nature — the right job and career path could be just around the corner. 

Courses and training options are available to people at any level and can be flexible enough to fit into already busy lives. 

Ready to take the next step in becoming a Vet Nurse?