Veterinary Nursing

Veterinary nursing is a profession dedicated to supporting the health and welfare of animals in clinical settings, working alongside veterinary surgeons to provide care before, during, and after veterinary procedures. Veterinary nurses are skilled healthcare practitioners who carry out diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, provide anaesthetic support, manage patient care in hospital wards, and educate animal owners about how to look after their animals well. The profession demands both technical competence and a genuine commitment to animal welfare.

This programme at Aberystwyth University includes a foundation year, providing an accessible entry point for students who need additional preparation before beginning the main professional degree. Across the full programme you will develop the clinical knowledge and practical skills that veterinary nursing requires, including anatomy and physiology, clinical procedures, pharmacology, anaesthesia and analgesia, surgical nursing, and patient assessment and care planning. Practical placements in veterinary practice settings are integral to the programme, giving you direct experience of the clinical environments in which qualified veterinary nurses work and allowing you to apply and test your knowledge under supervision.

On qualifying, you will be eligible to apply to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for registration as a veterinary nurse, which is required to use the protected title of Registered Veterinary Nurse and to practise in the UK. Veterinary nurses work in small animal practices, large animal and equine practices, referral hospitals, emergency and critical care centres, and research institutions. The profession offers strong employment prospects and a high degree of job satisfaction for those who are motivated by animal welfare.

Many veterinary nurses develop specialisms over the course of their careers, and postgraduate study and continuing professional development are encouraged throughout.