FAO Scubasteve re Vet Nursing

Hi Karen, I sent an email enquiry to the RCVS asking about training to become a Veterinary Nurse. I have now received a reply which has stated to contact Vet surgeries in my area which are on the list of training centres.

This narrows it down to 3 places to contact. I will be sending letters to them shortly. Once I have a position of trainee vet nurse I can then enrole on the training course. I guess that I go on a waiting list until a suitable position arrises. I will be taking the 3 year National Diploma route which has replaced the NVQ training as it was.

I hope that my previous qualifications of a BTec National Diploma in Hotel Catering is enough to gain entry. I also have several City & Guilds qualifications in various subjects including Level 2 Computerized Accounts, Level 2 Diploma in Administration and a Level 2 Diploma in Computer Applications,I just hope it's enough.

If I cannot get a position then I may have to study full time in which case a position at a vets will be found by the college wherever I study.

I have copied some of the info received below which clarifies what I have stated above,

[i]If you are interested in vocational training as a veterinary nurse then you have two options:

a) Find employment as a student nurse at a training practice (working full or part time) and attend college part time.
b) Or, enrol on a full time college course. This is a new option running in a limited number of colleges

I hope this makes sense, will update when I know more.

Sounds like you are getting there slowly. Be prepared though that some vets will want you to have worked with them for a wee while before you go through the training. This will be just to see that you are serious about it and to get a bit of practical experience before going in for the training. Good luck with getting into a veterinary surgery. Let me know how you get on with that once you have applied to them. I would suggest applying/enquiring with them all so you can decide which one to go for. After all you will be there a while so don't just choose one because it is closest etc.

Sounds promising though anyway, all these little steps will get you to where you want to be!