For those with their hearts set on a job working with animals, a veterinary nursing apprenticeship can help you pave the way to a successful career.
As a veterinary nursing apprentice, you’ll have the opportunity to gain practical skills and experience on-the-job, as well as earn a wage and pick up a qualification at the end of your programme. Take a look at the key reasons why an apprenticeship could be the perfect career move…
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You’ll get paid for training as a veterinary nurse, right from the very start
Veterinary nursing apprenticeships emphasise work-based training, meaning you’ll be paid for your work and benefit from having a regular income whilst learning the role of a veterinary nurse on-the-job. The National Minimum Wage for Apprentices currently sits at around £4.81 per hour*, however many employers pay more than this, and often apprentices’ earnings rise as they become more experienced.
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Your employer will cover the costs of your training
A veterinary nursing apprenticeship is a way to start a career as a veterinary nurse, with all of your training fees covered. Not only will you be earning a wage, you will have no course fees to pay as these are settled by your employer! In other words, you will be achieving your veterinary nursing certification and gaining hands-on experience with animals in a veterinary practice for FREE. What’s more – as an Veterinary nursing apprentice at CAW you may be eligible to purchase a TOTUM card for just £12, meaning you could make big savings on many of the top brands, including Amazon, The Co-operative Food and Odeon.
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Go through an employer-led programme of study
The veterinary nursing apprenticeship standard has been developed in conjunction with employers, meaning you will learn the most relevant and up-to-date skills required by industry. Over the course of the apprenticeship you will follow a formal, externally assessed learning structure. This will be supported by a mixture of small group college sessions and innovative online learning, led by professional lecturers who have extensive experience in the industry and really understand the role of the veterinary nurse.
Our Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship covers the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours needed of a professionally registered veterinary nurse to work within the standards and scope of practice defined by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). In addition, embedded within this qualification is the content required for you to become an SQP for companion animals. Over the course of the apprenticeship you will cover:
- Legislative compliance and regulatory requirements
- Comparative functional anatomy for veterinary nursing practice
- Infection control in veterinary practice
- Materials, equipment and resources
- Veterinary Nursing Care
- Emergency and critical care
- Diagnostic techniques for veterinary nurses
- Communication
- Self-Management
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Join an industry with amazing job prospects
A veterinary nursing apprenticeship offers the opportunity to secure a permanent position with your employer of choice on completion of formal studies. Starting out as an apprentice has proved to lead to real job prospects for many. According to research by the National Apprenticeship Service, 85% of apprentices will remain in employment on completion of their apprenticeship, with 64% of those staying with the same employer.* If you’re looking for job security and the opportunity to progress in your career, a veterinary nursing apprenticeship could be the most secure way to develop with further education and training.
More than this, veterinary nursing is an incredibly varied and exciting profession. Upon completion of formal studies, veterinary nurses have numerous professional opportunities. You could remain in first opinion practice; move into referral practice and specialise in a particular area, train as an equine veterinary nurse, or find work in related industries such as management, research, teaching, sales or rehabilitation with further training. Read more about what you can do with a veterinary nursing qualification
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Veterinary nursing professionals will help you grow into your role
A combination of practical experience in a veterinary practice, college sessions and online tuition means you will be mentored by tutors and colleagues with a wealth of experience in veterinary nursing each and every day. This will allow you to develop your confidence, knowledge and practical skills faster; and make meaningful industry connections that will prove invaluable as your career develops.
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Get a head start in the world of veterinary nursing
If you’re an animal lover, chances are you jump any opportunity to interact with animals – whether that be by petting a cat on a walk, or putting yourself forward for dog walking or pet sitting when friends or family go on holiday. By undertaking a veterinary nursing apprenticeship, you’ll get the chance to apply your passion for animals from the get go and your work will make a real difference to the wellbeing of animals. These hands-on practical skills and knowledge of veterinary nursing will prove invaluable when it comes to seeking employment in future.
Proving you have relevant, practical experience is essential to securing your first role in any industry, but no more so than in veterinary nursing. Gaining years of experience in veterinary nursing as part of a veterinary nursing apprenticeship is therefore a significant advantage and addition to your CV!
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You could go on to higher study in veterinary nursing
Many people dream of achieving a degree, and studying an apprenticeship could be the start of your path to university in the future. Successful completion of the Veterinary nursing (Level 3 Apprenticeship) could help you lay the foundation for higher education (subject to individual university entry requirements). Many apprentices go on to top-up their diploma-level qualification to degree level as part of their career progression and academic development. Find out more about our top up veterinary nursing degree programme
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You’ll have a competitive edge
Think about where you will be on completion of your apprenticeship. You will be able to confidently perform a range of veterinary nursing duties, be qualified to apply to join the RCVS Register for Veterinary Nurses. You will have gained real world experience and skills learnt from on-the-job training, plus be able to work towards higher certifications if you wish to do so. Not only this, you’ve achieved all of this without paying a penny. Put simply, you will be turning your passion into a career – and being paid for the opportunity to do so!
If you’re thinking that an apprenticeship could be the perfect way for you to turn your love of animals into a career, start your journey with The College of Animal Welfare today! Our veterinary nursing apprenticeship programmes can be undertaken at our centres across the UK:
Our Veterinary nursing Apprenticeships at a glance…
- VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Apprenticeship) – Companion Animal Pathway
- Level 3 Diploma in Equine Veterinary Nursing (Apprenticeship)