Veterinary nurse

As a veterinary nurse, you could:

• prepare animals for treatment and assist vets during procedures
• take X-rays, give injections and medication, and remove stitches
• care for in-patient animals
• keep the practice and equipment clean and hygienic
• talk to pet owners about treatment and care of their animals
• do reception and administrative duties

• customer service skills
• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of biology
• the ability to work well with your hands
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

With experience, you could:

• work as a supervisor or mentor new staff
• manage a practice
• move to a larger veterinary hospital
• lecture in veterinary nursing science

You might also move into zoo or wildlife park work or sales of veterinary supplies.