How difficult is it to get into veterinary nursing ?

I’m 18, taking animal care at college (each level is for a year and I’m taking my first year(second level) as I already had a good amount of animal knowledge,There are four levels.

I’ve always wanted to to be a veterinary nurse however my lecturer told me on a call today that it’s a lot of studying (which I knew) and that I probably wouldn’t get in to uni and if I did I probably wouldn’t get a job after as it’s very difficult to get into it. It’s really set me back as I’m worried I waste years of my life doing college them going to uni to be a vet when I won’t be able to do it in the end. I feel like I should change my career path.

Anyone that has been to uni/got a job as vet ect, could you please give me a bit help on how difficult it is (at uni) and to get a job.

Thank you so much in advanced :smile:

Reply 1

KJ2003

9

Sorry I don’t know much about vet nursing, but I do know that you don’t have to go to uni. You can do a diploma while working as a student vet nurse instead (I think). Although I’m not sure which route is harder.
If you have faith in yourself and work hard I’m sure you can do it.

Reply 2

animalmagic

14

Original post by Lauododns

I’m 18, taking animal care at college (each level is for a year and I’m taking my first year(second level) as I already had a good amount of animal knowledge,There are four levels.

I’ve always wanted to to be a veterinary nurse however my lecturer told me on a call today that it’s a lot of studying (which I knew) and that I probably wouldn’t get in to uni and if I did I probably wouldn’t get a job after as it’s very difficult to get into it. It’s really set me back as I’m worried I waste years of my life doing college them going to uni to be a vet when I won’t be able to do it in the end. I feel like I should change my career path.

Anyone that has been to uni/got a job as vet ect, could you please give me a bit help on how difficult it is (at uni) and to get a job.

Thank you so much in advanced :smile:

I may not fully understand what you are asking but in my opinion the diploma is the best way to qualify as a vet nurse and there is usually a shortage of qualified nurses so no need at all to worry about finding a job (often with the diploma you'll be employed as a student at the practice that trains you in any case).

Reply 3

Lauododns

OP

11

Original post by KJ2003

Sorry I don’t know much about vet nursing, but I do know that you don’t have to go to uni. You can do a diploma while working as a student vet nurse instead (I think). Although I’m not sure which route is harder.
If you have faith in yourself and work hard I’m sure you can do it.

Oh I didn’t know that was an option! I’ve always assumed for being a vet you’d need to go to uni! I’ll maybe have a look into this thank you so much!! I’ve wanted to do it literally since I was like 5 but after my lecturer saying that it’s made me feel like it’s so unachievable !

Reply 4

Lauododns

OP

11

Original post by animalmagic

I may not fully understand what you are asking but in my opinion the diploma is the best way to qualify as a vet nurse and there is usually a shortage of qualified nurses so no need at all to worry about finding a job (often with the diploma you'll be employed as a student at the practice that trains you in any case).

I’m just wanting to know if it’s a difficult thing to pass/ get a job from. Is the diploma the thing the other person had mentioned? Where you don’t actually go to uni? And a veterinary place will basically teach me and then I’ll become qualified? Is that right? :smile:

Reply 5

animalmagic

14

Original post by Lauododns

I’m just wanting to know if it’s a difficult thing to pass/ get a job from. Is the diploma the thing the other person had mentioned? Where you don’t actually go to uni? And a veterinary place will basically teach me and then I’ll become qualified? Is that right? :smile:

It's not easy to pass, it takes hard work, but it's definitely doable if you can get the entrance qualifications. Yes, the diploma is route to be a qualified vet nurse without a degree and I'm of the opinion that it produces better practical nurses. Have a look at https://animalowners.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-careers/i-want-to-be-a-veterinary-nurse/training-routes/

Reply 6

animalmagic

14

Original post by Lauododns

I’m just wanting to know if it’s a difficult thing to pass/ get a job from. Is the diploma the thing the other person had mentioned? Where you don’t actually go to uni? And a veterinary place will basically teach me and then I’ll become qualified? Is that right? :smile:

It is very unusal for a a qulaified vet nurse to be unemployed, unless they want to be. There are also other paths your career can take you apart from nursing. Most of my branches were run by vet nurses so many go into management, as well as careers with pharma companies, education etc. You can even own your own practice if you want to.

Reply 7

123vet

13

Original post by Lauododns

Oh I didn’t know that was an option! I’ve always assumed for being a vet you’d need to go to uni! I’ll maybe have a look into this thank you so much!! I’ve wanted to do it literally since I was like 5 but after my lecturer saying that it’s made me feel like it’s so unachievable !

Hi

I'm sure you're aware of this but just want to double check:

To become a vet nurse, you can either go to uni (study veterinary nursing) or do a diploma.
To become a vet (a.k.a. vet surgeon, a.k.a. veterinarian), you must go to uni and study veterinary medicine.

Just wanted to make sure it was clear that the two are different jobs with different requirements, so that anyone reading this doesn't get confused.
Good luck with veterinary nursing :smile:

xx

Reply 8

Lauododns

OP

11

Original post by animalmagic

It's not easy to pass, it takes hard work, but it's definitely doable if you can get the entrance qualifications. Yes, the diploma is route to be a qualified vet nurse without a degree and I'm of the opinion that it produces better practical nurses. Have a look at https://animalowners.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-careers/i-want-to-be-a-veterinary-nurse/training-routes/

it’s what I’ve always wanted to do so I would have the dedication too study. Oh really that sounds great thank you!! Might have a look into it. Also thank you for the link I’ll give it a read :smile:

Reply 9

Lexie2020

6

Original post by Lauododns

I’m 18, taking animal care at college (each level is for a year and I’m taking my first year(second level) as I already had a good amount of animal knowledge,There are four levels.

I’ve always wanted to to be a veterinary nurse however my lecturer told me on a call today that it’s a lot of studying (which I knew) and that I probably wouldn’t get in to uni and if I did I probably wouldn’t get a job after as it’s very difficult to get into it. It’s really set me back as I’m worried I waste years of my life doing college them going to uni to be a vet when I won’t be able to do it in the end. I feel like I should change my career path.

Anyone that has been to uni/got a job as vet ect, could you please give me a bit help on how difficult it is (at uni) and to get a job.

Thank you so much in advanced :smile:

Hey!

I am 28 and looking to return to study as a mature student. I have been researching ALOT into the different routes and just wish i had done it from school. I'm also looking at the animal care course aswell as i dont have highers to go straight into vet nursing. Just wanted to say good luck and no matter how hard it is stick with it - dont quit and get to 28 years old and regret it like me! :smile:

x

Reply 10

Lauododns

OP

11

Original post by Lexie2020

Hey!

I am 28 and looking to return to study as a mature student. I have been researching ALOT into the different routes and just wish i had done it from school. I'm also looking at the animal care course aswell as i dont have highers to go straight into vet nursing. Just wanted to say good luck and no matter how hard it is stick with it - dont quit and get to 28 years old and regret it like me! :smile:

x

Hiya!! This is so motivating thank you so much :smile:

so kind! I’m so sorry you regret your choice, your still young tho you’ve got plenty time to go to college :smile:

xx

Reply 11

Meggy_2020

2

Hiya, ive just finished college with a DDM and have gotten a place at a university to study BSc veterinary nursing science degree. I’m not going to lie to you, Veterinary Nursing is a difficult career. It’s extremely difficult to get a diploma (bring trained in Vet practise) as the places are few and far between and they’re highly sought after. To secure a place, you need to be looking about 2/3 years in advance. I would recommend doing the degree route if you like knowing information and having theory behind your actions, but if you are more practically minded and not so good at retaining information, I’d go for the diploma route. One thing I would say is, with either route you come out with the same qualification, however the diploma only trains you to level 3 standard, where as the degree takes you to level 6.

I have seen some other people in this thread say that it is easy to get a job in the veterinary industry, and that couldn’t be more wrong! There are very few available spaces students for the diploma to train at the practise, as people throw themselves into it thinking it’s easy. However they normally end up dropping out. So there are few diploma spaces because loads of people want one, but its quite rare for people to do the studying and training and become fully qualified.
So there aren’t as many Qualified nurses as there should be, but it’s still difficult to get a job as it’s an extremely competitive industry.

I chose to do the degree as it will give me more room to progress in the practise, and I’d recommend it to anyone! Yes the degree is a serious amount of work; but it’s worth it! Look into some different universities as they all have completely different entry requirements 😊 good luck xx

(edited 4 years ago)

How difficult is it to get into veterinary nursing ?

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