Companion Care supports the ongoing development and training of Veterinary Nurses. 

 The Royal College states "The RCVS has two key functions in relation to veterinary nursing.  These are the maintenance of the statutory list of veterinary nurses and the award of veterinary nursing  and NVQs. 

In order to qualify, nurses undergo a two-year period of vocational training which is assessed at work and through examination by the RCVS Awarding Body.

Qualified veterinary nurses may enter the RCVS List of Veterinary Nurses which is maintained by the VN Regulatory Body. On entering the List they are entitled by law to undertake a range of veterinary treatments and procedures on animals under veterinary direction. Only Listed nurses are entitled to use the post-nominal letters 'VN'. Qualified nurses are key members of the veterinary team, providing skilled care for sick animals and support for their owners." 

In order to train to become a Veterinary Nurse you will need to study for the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing qualification with your local Higher Education establishment or any of the following providers:

• The College of Animal Welfare – www.caw.ac.uk
• Sparsholt College – www.sparsholt.ac.uk
• Plumpton College – www.plumpton.ac.uk

This is a 2-3 year course dependant on whether you choose to study full time or part time (different colleges offer different options for this). The entry requirements are a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C and above or alternatively a National Certificate for Veterinary Care Assistants or Animal Nursing Assistant course plus the relevant key skills (Maths, English and Science) may be sufficient.

You will need to carry out a number of work experience days while you study. On some occasions we may be able to offer placements in Companion Care surgeries. Please contact us to see if we are able to offer these in your area at: workexperience@companioncare.co.uk

From time to time we have full time Student Veterinary Nurse positions in some of our surgeries. These will be advertised on the vacancies pages in search and apply.