In order to train veterinary nurses, veterinary practices have to be approved as either a Training and Assessment Practice (TP) or an Auxiliary Training Practice (aTP) by an Approved Centre (Primary Centre).
Becoming a Training Practice offers veterinary practices the chance to grow and strengthen their team in a cost-effective, sustainable way. From developing your own talent through to enhancing team dynamics and improving patient care, the benefits are clear. Plus, contributing to the profession’s future by supporting student training is a rewarding way to give back while securing your practice’s long-term success. Here are five key advantages:
1. Develop your own veterinary nurses
By hiring an student veterinary nurse or offering placements to student veterinary nurses (SVNs), you can nurture and train staff from the ground up. This allows you to mould them into skilled professionals who understand your practice’s specific needs and culture. Apprentices and SVNs contribute hands-on assistance while learning, providing immediate support while building a foundation for future staff development. Over time, they become fully trained veterinary nurses who are already familiar with your team and protocols, reducing recruitment challenges.
2. Cost-effective recruitment options
Training apprentices and offering unpaid work placements to SVNs can reduce the need for expensive recruitment efforts. Apprentice veterinary nurses offer an affordable staffing solution while they work towards their qualification, and SVNs who complete unpaid placements offer additional hands-on support to your team during their training. In both cases, this is a low-risk way to assess the potential of future team members, ensuring that when you’re ready to hire qualified staff, they’re already well-integrated into your practice.
3. Enhanced team dynamics
As a Training Practice, you are actively involved in the training and development of new nurses, which can improve teamwork and collaboration within your practice. Senior staff can take on mentoring roles, fostering leadership skills and encouraging a positive learning environment. This dynamic enhances team morale as staff work together to support and guide SVNs, creating a cohesive and skilled workforce.
4. Improved patient care
By training SVNs, your practice benefits from having additional hands to assist with patient care. Students can help with basic nursing tasks under supervision, allowing your more experienced staff to focus on more complex procedures. Over time, as these students progress in their training, they can take on more responsibilities, directly contributing to high-quality care and improving overall practice efficiency.
5. Contribution to the profession
Becoming a TP demonstrates your commitment to the veterinary profession by helping to train the next generation of veterinary nurses. Not only do you provide valuable opportunities for students to gain practical experience, but you also play a part in shaping the future of the profession. By investing in training, you contribute to maintaining a strong, skilled workforce for the industry, which benefits both your practice and the wider veterinary community.
Read more about becoming a Training Practice
Looking to expand your veterinary nursing team? Grow your own veterinary nurse with The College of Animal Welfare
If you’re looking to expand your veterinary nursing team, have you considered taking on a student veterinary nurse? By doing so, you could gain an extra pair of hands whilst saving money on recruitment costs!
You can support an SVN by offering an apprenticeship vacancy or unpaid work placement in your practice, and meet your recruitment needs at the same time. Join over 500 practices who have chosen to become a CAW training practice and receive:
- Keen and motivated placement students
- FREE training and standardisation events for clinical supervisors
- Ongoing support from a dedicated IQA
- Discounts on all CAW virtual VN events
- FREE recruitment help if you wish to hire an apprentice
- Guidance through the TP approval process
If you would like to have an informal, non-obligatory chat, to talk through your options and any concerns/queries, please call our team on 01480 422060 or leave your details here and our team will be in touch.