Veterinary nurses play an important role in animal health care by supporting veterinarians with the management and treatment of animals under their care. Vet nurses assist with day-to-day tasks such as cleaning, animal interaction and communication with pet owners to ensure their animals are receiving proper care.
There is no better job out there for someone who wants nothing more than to make the lives of other animals better! To become a vet nurse, there are certain vet nurse courses and training programmes that you will need to complete on your way to becoming a fully-fledged vet nurse.
Have a strong desire to help animals
To work as a veterinary nurse, you must first and foremost have a special fondness for animals. It is essential in this field of work to have a strong desire to help them. You must have the willingness and strength to assist animals who may be sick or injured.
Gain experience
Before you study vet nursing and acquire your vet nurse qualifications, it may be advantageous to seek some work experience. This can help you decide whether or not being a vet nurse is the ideal career choice for you. Gaining some experience can also be a useful asset to your CV, as some veterinary clinics require personnel to have prior job experience. During your work experience, you may also make crucial contacts in the veterinary sector, which will be valuable when it comes time to search for a job.
Gain qualifications
Three distinct vet nurse courses are typically necessary as a bare minimum to become a qualified vet nurse. To begin your veterinary nurse studies, you will most likely undertake a Certificate II in Animal Studies (ACM20117), which combines academic and practical training to prepare you for future veterinary nurse training.
Secondly, the ACM30417 Certificate III in Companion Animal Services reflects the roles of personnel working in pet-related industries; you will learn basic animal care skills and knowledge to prepare you for a position in the animal industry. The training teaches industrial skills that will prepare you for jobs such as pet store attendant, kennel attendant, cattery attendant, assistant dog trainer, pet exerciser and assistant grooming attendant.
The Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418) is the industry-standard certification for veterinary nurses. This nationally recognised certificate is intended to assist you in promoting patient care in your workplace, it will ensure that you are taught all you need to know to be an excellent nurse, a valuable asset to the clinic and your patient’s greatest advocate. Both the Certificate II in Animal Studies and Certificate III are, often, required as an admission prerequisite for a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, which is the bare minimum certification required for the profession.
Furthermore, you can choose to specialise and broaden your expertise in the industry by obtaining a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (General Practice) ACM50512 or a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical Care) ACM50412. Completing these courses may lead to work opportunities as a support technician for Specialist Veterinarians.
Vet nurse responsibilities
Veterinary nurses are responsible for a variety of tasks. Every day is different, from aiding the veterinarian with surgery to client education. A veterinary nurse’s responsibilities include the following:
- Assisting veterinarians with surgical procedures
- Obtaining samples for laboratory analysis
- Getting an animal ready for surgery
- Discussing aftercare, diet, and exercise with pet owners
- Conducting puppy training programs
- Animal medicine administration
- Taking animal X-rays
- Maintaining medical records
Where should you start?
If you are a school student, completing the Certificate II in Animal Studies (ACM20117) while still in school is a fantastic place to start. Then you can pursue a traineeship or additional studies in the ACM30417 Certificate III in Companion Animal Services, which will provide you with on-the-job training at a vet clinic. Then you can progress to the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418) to become a Vet Nurse.
Pet Certified Australia’s team is passionate about pets and the people who care for them. Our mission is to educate, train and develop the modern workforce in the pet industry. Training and education is a journey and a requirement for a career in the pet industry, contact our team today for more information on our vet nursing courses and how we can best assist you on your journey towards your passion.
