BVNA would recommend that you spend some time in a veterinary practice before you start your training. In fact, at a lot of colleges and universities, this is a requirement for enrolling on the course. Having said that, it is often quite a challenge to find a vet practice that will accept work experience students. They get hundreds of requests every week asking if students can visit their practice to see what vets and vet nurses do. What makes you stand out from the crowd?

Here are some hints and tips of how gain work experience:

• Get as much animal handling experience as possible in animal-based businesses such as the RSPCA, grooming parlours or boarding kennels. Give detail of your experience in your CV including what you learned and enjoyed.
• Provide a well written CV to a practice, however it is best to go in person, ask the name of the Head VN to ensure they receive it. This also means they can put a face to a name. Remember that they get lots of applications for experience, be creative and make your application stand out.
• Contact practices in your area regularly (but not too often) to ask if you can help out. Volunteer to clean in the evenings or at weekends; get your foot in the door. Once they know you are reliable and proactive, they may offer you some nursing experience.
• Explore the internet for free courses. Many animal charities and Vet Schools put short distance learning courses online; this will look good on your CV and show that you are serious about this as a career option. If you want to pay for a course, remember to never pay for an online course that is not accredited by a well-known educational organisation or the RCVS.
• Perseverance is key. Demonstrate your passion for the role and show that you know what the job entails. It is not an easy job and often includes clearing up vomit and diarrhoea or holding animals whilst they are euthanised, usually at the end of a long day. It is an incredibly rewarding career, but it’s not for the faint hearted.

There is a list of RCVS training practices which means they are able to have student veterinary nurses in the practice. Visit the RCVS website to find the list for your area: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/students/veterinary-nursing-students/approved-training-practices/