Veterinary Nurse Progression

Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 2025: What Does Progression Look Like for You?

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Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 2025 is in May – and this year, the theme is all about Progression.

What does progression mean to you as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)? For some, it might be about climbing the career ladder. For others, it’s about feeling more confident, more fulfilled, or more in control of their professional journey. It could mean stepping into a leadership role, running nurse-led clinics, pursuing specialist interests, or simply reconnecting with the reason you became a veterinary nurse in the first place.

Whatever it looks like for you, this month we’re shining a spotlight on all the ways you can move forward in your career – at your pace, in your own direction.

Land a great new role in veterinary practice

Many RVNs build rewarding careers in first opinion practice – but that’s just one of many paths available to you. If you have a particular area of interest, you could also explore roles in:

  • Specialist practices (e.g. feline, equine, reptile, or large animal care)
  • Emergency and out-of-hours clinics
  • Referral practices offering advanced care in areas like orthopaedics, cardiology, oncology, or ophthalmology
  • Veterinary hospitals and university teaching hospitals

Alternatively, you might enjoy the variety and flexibility of locum work, gaining hands-on experience across a range of clinical settings while expanding your skills and professional network.

If you’re eager for a change and looking for a new role, the CAW Jobs Board is a great place to start your search.

Top up your veterinary nursing diploma to a degree

If you’re currently working with a diploma or foundation degree, topping up to a BSc Honours in Veterinary Nursing could be your next step.

As the profession evolves, more RVNs are choosing to study at degree level to deepen their clinical knowledge, explore evidence-based care, and open doors to leadership and teaching roles.

If this sounds like your next step, we’re enrolling now for our BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing Top-Up Degree, delivered in conjunction with Middlesex University (voted Number 1 for Veterinary Nursing in the National Student Survey 2024) and starting this September. Don’t miss our webinar on 12 May 2025, 7–8pm to find out more about the programme.

Apply to start in September.

Study an advanced qualification such as the VetSkill Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Practice Nurse)

For many RVNs, qualifying is just the beginning. As confidence grows in practice, some nurses feel ready to develop their clinical and consulting skills further. That’s where advanced qualifications come in – and they can be a powerful part of your progression.

Our new VetSkill Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Practice Nurse) could help you enhance your consulting and communication abilities. If you’re passionate about running clinics, providing advice to pet owners, and excelling in consultations, this course is designed with you in mind. It’s ideal for those who want to:

  • Run dedicated nurse clinics with confidence
  • Provide in-depth client education on preventative healthcare and treatment plans
  • Improve compliance and patient outcomes through effective communication
  • Work towards senior roles such as Head Nurse or Clinical Supervisor
  • Explore new career paths in management or teaching

Find out more about the VetSkill Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Practice Nurse).

Join the education industry and become a veterinary nursing lecturer

Are you passionate about helping others learn and grow? A move into education could be a rewarding next chapter. Many RVNs transition into teaching roles, using their clinical knowledge to train student nurses and shape the future of the profession.

Lecturers play a vital role in delivering lectures and practical sessions, developing course materials, mentoring students in practice, and contributing to research and academic development. You can start your journey into education with introductory qualifications such as the City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training.

Further resources:
Guide to Becoming a Veterinary Nursing Lecturer
Interview with CAW Lecturer Kelly Baldy
Day In the Life of a Lecturer Video with Nina DeFranco MRCVS
Becoming a Lecturer at CAW FAQs

Progress into a leadership and management position

If you’re looking for leadership and management opportunities within veterinary practice, you could become a head nurse or even work towards becoming a veterinary practice manager over time.

Our leadership and management courses, accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and offered at levels 3 and 5, will enable you to take better advantage of opportunities for development, build your confidence and develop your leadership skills and capabilities.

Further resources:
Power Up Newsletter
Free management resources for veterinary practice staff
The Power Hour – bitesize leadership webinars for veterinary practice staff

Train as a Clinical Supervisor

Beside every great veterinary nurse is a great clinical supervisor (formerly known as clinical coach), who supported them through their formal training and helped them develop their practical skills in practice.

If you’re passionate about veterinary nursing and keen to help others flourish in the industry, you could consider training as a clinical supervisor and help to train student nurses in practice.

Find out more about clinical supervisor training.

Become a Suitably Qualified Person (SQP)

Becoming an SQP is a valuable next step for any RVN looking to broaden their scope of practice and take on greater professional responsibility. Our recognised Animal Medicines Advisor qualification allows you to prescribe and supply certain veterinary medicines under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, deepening your expertise in pharmacology and animal health.

Find out more about the VetSkill Level 4 Award for Animal Medicines Advisors (SQP – Companion Animal).

Pursue your professional interests with expert-led CPD

Progression doesn’t always mean a new job or title. It can also mean showing up for yourself, learning something new, and investing in your future.

Whether you’re looking to boost your clinical skills, explore a new area of practice, or simply stay inspired in your role, our highly popular one-day virtual congresses run throughout the year and offer a convenient, impactful way to invest in your professional growth. Each event delivers around 7 hours of CPD, helping you easily meet your annual continuing professional development requirements — all from the comfort of your home or practice:

Save the dates for:

Explore CPD and short courses.

Veterinary nursing is a diverse, dynamic profession – and progression isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re looking for new challenges or rediscovering what you love most about being an RVN, Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month is the perfect time to reflect and take your next step. So, what does progression mean to you?

If you’d like to discuss your career options further or have any questions about our CPD or qualifications, our friendly Client Advisors are here to help. Whether you’re unsure about your next step or just want to explore what’s possible, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can reach us by calling 01480 422060 or by requesting a call back, emailing admin@caw.ac.uk or starting a live chat on our website.