Last updated at 19:50, Thursday, 21 August 2008

THE SHARP END: Student Mark Bowman helps vet Beverly Watson feed a stray ferret who has been handed in at Millcroft Vets

VETERINARY nurses play a key role in the veterinary practice. They work alongside veterinary surgeons, providing a high- standard of care for animals.

Normally working within a veterinary surgery or hospital, veterinary nurses provide skilled supportive care and undertake minor surgical procedures, medical treatments and diagnostic tests under veterinary supervision.

They also help in educating owners about good standards of animal care.

Veterinary nurses work in animal hospitals, private practices, laboratories, zoos and animal welfare organisations.

Typical work could include:

holding animals during examinations

preparing animals for operations

assisting with surgery under supervision

carrying out diagnostic tests and administering medication

collecting samples

caring for in-patient animals

providing administrative support

To train for a career as a veterinary nurse you must be employed in an approved and registered veterinary practice and work towards NVQ levels 2 and 3.

There are integrated HND and degree programmes for those who wish to undertake an academic qualification alongside the practical NVQ.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons website has details of these courses (see contacts below).

The number of veterinary nurses is increasing and the contributions they can make to daily practice are growing and becoming more diverse.

First published at 16:07, Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk