Hi is anyone on here a veterinary nurse???? I'm a qualified teacher but I fancy a change of career. I have contacted rcvs who are sending me a list of training clinics. Would love to hear from anyone who is a veterinary nurse and whats the training like. I know its not the best paid of jobs but I'd rather have the job satisfaction! Clare

Many years ago I trained to be a RANA - Veterinary Nurse.  And you're right, my wages were half what my friends were earning!  I have no idea what the training is like these days, but there seems to be a for bit of information on this site. 
http://www.veterinary-nursing.co.uk/home.htm

The only way that I found to earn a decent living working with animals, and I've done a few including running a large quarantine/boarding kennel & cattery, is to own a parlour, grooming dogs to the breed standard.

Good luck in your new career! :)

Hi,
I am a Veterinary nurse...for my sins!!! No, only joking! It is a great job but lots of training involved for not much financial reward and at times you just feel like a glorified cleaner!!
If you have 5 GCSE's or equivilant (including maths and a science) you can start the 1st of 2 years training, which is usually after you are employed by a Training Practice and have a day release to go to college. If you don't have the above, you must do a Pre-vet nurse course, including exam. For all 3 years there is a portfolio of caselogs which must be completed. 8 (I think) for the pre VN, 32 for 1st year and 54 for 2nd year. It involves lots of paperwork and lots of the work is not relevant to the course....stuff even the vets don't have to learn!!
At the end of the 1st year there are 2 written papers, at the end of year 2 there are again 2 writtens and a series of 6 practical tasks.
It depends a great deal where you work and what they will actually allow you to do as a nurse: some places are allowed to do schedule 3 procedures after you qualify (dentals, wart removals) some places don't even allow nurses to take blood samples and place catheters!
It is rewarding if you have a case that has been with you for some time and finally that pet is well enough to go home but you also have to deal with the stupidness of owners and this makes you frustrated and angry.
I did the same as you though and had a complete career change and have not looked back since. The RCVS web site is probably the best place to start looking. Good luck!!
Sarah

"at times you just feel like a glorified cleaner"

AAHH that's made me remember having a cream cake in one hand and shovelling sh*t with the other!!! :)

Cheers for the reply guys. Thankfully I do have to the entry requirements, thats something I got out of my teaching career!!!!! I spoke to the RCVS today who said there were two routes I could take, working in a veterinary clininc or doing a degree. I fancy going for the hands on approach as I have done the whole university thing!!!! Do you get paid to train or is there some kind of a bursary????? What about fees???
Thanks Clare

I think the degree is 4 years!! and you get no extra benefits doing it this way (financially I mean) There is a degree graduate at our practice and I am sorry to say she is not a "hands on" type of person...yes the knowledge is there but it seems to come with a lack of compassion which is what the job is all about! So I think you are wise to choose the regular route. The practice SHOULD pay your fees. I was lucky that our practice is a large, chain type practice so I was paid for my day at college too but this does vary from one place to another. I llok forward to hearing your decision!!
Sarah

Thanks soo much Sarah for the info. I'm really excited and can't wait to get in contact with practices who will want me!! I promise to let you know how I get on! Thanks again, Clare