If you’re considering a career working in a veterinary practice, you may have come across two key roles: Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) and Veterinary Care Assistants (VCAs).
Both positions support the health and welfare of animals in a veterinary practice. However, they come with different responsibilities, training requirements, and salary expectations.
Here’s an overview of each role to help you decide which path might be right for you:
Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) – An Overview
VCA job description
VCAs play a crucial role in supporting the team and providing comfort and care to animals in practice, working under the supervision of veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons. The VCA role is hands-on, involving day-to-day tasks that help keep the practice running smoothly and ensure animals are comfortable and safe. Common veterinary care assistant responsibilities include:
- Feeding, cleaning, and exercising animals
- Preparing equipment and treatment rooms
- Assisting with basic treatments and handling animals
- Carrying out general cleaning and maintenance of the practice
- Some VCAs may also have reception or administrative duties
VCAs are sometimes also referred to as Animal Nursing Assistants (ANAs) or Patient Care Assistants (PCAs).
VCA training requirements
The VCA role doesn’t require a formal qualification, making it a more accessible entry point for those interested in working in a veterinary practice. However, many VCAs start by completing a veterinary care course such as the Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support, Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants or an equivalent veterinary care qualification, which cover the basics of animal welfare, handling, and health and safety within a veterinary setting. On-the-job training is also common, allowing VCAs to learn practical skills as they work.
Veterinary care assistant salary
A veterinary care assistant salary is generally lower than those of veterinary nurses, reflecting the role’s entry-level nature. In the UK, the typical salary for a VCA is around the national minimum wage.
Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) – An Overview
Veterinary nurse job description
Veterinary nurses are highly trained professionals responsible for a range of medical tasks and patient care. They work alongside veterinary surgeons to provide treatment, monitor animal health, and ensure high standards of care. Some of the key duties of a veterinary nurse include:
- Assisting with surgeries and monitoring anaesthesia
- Administering medications and vaccinations
- Taking blood samples, x-rays, and other diagnostic tests
- Providing post-operative care and monitoring in-patients
- Educating and advising pet owners on animal care
The veterinary nurse job is more specialised than that of a VCA, requiring a broader range of technical skills and knowledge. Veterinary nurses play a critical role in veterinary practices, managing patient care and supporting complex medical procedures. Read the full veterinary nurse job description here.
Veterinary nurse training requirements
In order to become a veterinary nurse in the UK, you are required to complete a formal veterinary nursing qualification approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). In the UK, the two primary routes to becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) are:
- Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing – Offered through colleges, this vocational route combines classroom learning with practical experience, typically taking between two to three years. You may also be eligible to study this qualification as part of a veterinary nursing apprenticeship if you are employed in a suitable practice in England.
- BSc Honours Degree in Veterinary Nursing – Offered by universities, this academic route includes both theoretical study and practical placements, usually taking between three to five years.
Both routes are approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), which allows graduates to register as RVNs and practice as qualified veterinary nurses.
Veterinary nurse salary
Veterinary nurses typically earn more than VCAs due to the qualifications required and additional responsibilities in practice. Salary prospects have improved significantly in recent years, the median salary package for qualified veterinary nurses is now £30,500 (SPVS Salaries Survey 2022/3). Nurses in larger practices or referral centres, where more complex cases are handled, may also have higher earning potential. Read more about salary for veterinary nurses here.
Key differences between veterinary nurses and veterinary care assistants
Here’s a quick summary of the main differences between veterinary nurses and veterinary care assistants:
| Job title | Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) | Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) |
| Responsibilities | Providing routine animal care such as feeding, cleaning, and exercising; assisting with diagnostic procedures, restraining animals for treatment, assisting with basic treatments and preparation and maintenance of equipment. | Assisting with surgeries and monitoring anaesthesia, administering medications and vaccinations, taking blood samples, x-rays, and other diagnostic tests, providing post-operative care and educating pet owners on animal care. |
| Training | There are no formal academic entry requirements for this role, however many choose to study the Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support, Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants or an equivalent veterinary care qualification. | You must complete an RCVS approved veterinary nursing qualification, such as the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing or BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing Degree, in order to legally practise as an RVN. |
| Regulation | This career is not regulated by the RCVS; no formal qualifications are required to practise. | This job is regulated by the RCVS and registration is required to practise. |
| Salary | Around the national minimum wage. | Salary prospects have improved significantly in recent years, the median salary package for qualified veterinary nurses is now £30,500 (SPVS Salaries Survey 2022/3). |
| Career advancement | VCAs can find work in first opinion veterinary practices, referral practices and emergency ‘out of hours’ practices or large veterinary hospitals. VCAs can undertake further work-based training and qualifications, such as the City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Assisting Veterinary Surgeons in the Monitoring of Animal Patients Under Anaesthesia and Sedation, or the VetSkill VTEC Level 4 Award for Animal Medicines Advisors (SQP – Companion Animal). They can also progress onto veterinary nurse training if they wish to do so. | RVNs can find work in first opinion veterinary practices, referral practices, emergency ‘out of hours’ practices or large veterinary hospitals. There are options to specialise in a particular area such as surgical nursing. RVNs could also find work in teaching, management, research, sales or rehabilitation. |
Which role is right for you – RVN or VCA?
Deciding between a VCA or RVN role largely depends on your career goals and preferred level of responsibility.
Becoming a veterinary care assistant might be the path for you if you’re new to animal care and looking for an entry-level role that provides hands-on experience. This role is ideal for those who want to work with animals in a supportive capacity without taking on the clinical responsibilities required of a veterinary nurse. VCAs often commit to around 12-18 months of study when completing a formal veterinary care qualification.
On the other hand, a veterinary nursing career could be the path for you if you’re interested in a regulated job with a broad scope of practice. Veterinary nursing comes with more responsibility and higher earning potential, but requires between 2-4 years of formal veterinary nurse training, in addition to ongoing professional development after qualifying.
Career Progression
From undertaking formal veterinary care qualifications, to exploring additional training in customer service or becoming an Animal Medicine Advisor, there are many professional development options available to veterinary care assistants (VCAs). In addition, many VCAs choose to go on to complete veterinary nursing qualifications, using their experience to enhance their studies and advance within the field. Explore career progression for veterinary care assistants here.
Veterinary nurses, once qualified, can specialise in areas such as emergency and critical care, anaesthesia, or behaviour. There are supervisory and management positions in practice that veterinary nurses can also work towards if they wish, such as becoming a Head Veterinary Nurse or Clinical Supervisor. Additionally, experienced veterinary nurses may move into teaching, research, sales, or leadership roles, broadening their career options even further. Find out more about veterinary nurse career options here.
Veterinary care assistants and veterinary nurses each play important roles in a veterinary practice. If you’re looking for an entry-level position with access to hands-on work with animals, becoming a VCA could be a good fit. For those aiming to pursue a career with more responsibility and specialisation options, veterinary nursing may be the right path.
Whichever route you choose, both roles offer the chance to work closely with animals and make a meaningful impact on their wellbeing.