The Truth About a Career in Veterinary Nursing

If you love working with animals, you may have considered becoming a vet nurse.
Find out what this job is really like, with insights from a Melbourne vet nurse.

Do you believe that every living creature is worth saving? If you’re passionate about animals and their welfare, being a vet nurse could be the perfect job for you. 

In Australia, there’s a desperate need for compassionate, skilled vet nurses. We have one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, as well as an incredible range of wildlife in need of care and rehabilitation.

But while loving animals is important, it isn’t enough by itself. And the job is not without its challenges. Vet nurses are everyday heroes who have to be ready for anything, any time. 

So what does it take to be a great vet nurse — and what’s it really like, day-to-day?

A vet nurse supports vets and provides nursing care for animals. Also called an animal nurse or a veterinary assistant, they are an indispensable part of a vet clinic, making sure the day-to-day operations are running smoothly.

On one hand, vet nurses are efficient keepers of the clinic, making sure that the rooms are clean, the equipment is sterilised, and the appointment book is balanced.

And on the other hand, they’re the face of the clinic: gracious and steady guides for distressed humans, scared for their furry (or feathery, or scaly) friends.

All while providing high-quality medical care for every animal that passes through the practice doors.

The difference between a vet nurse and a vet is similar to the difference between a nurse and a doctor in human medical practice.

A vet, or veterinarian, is the animal equivalent of a doctor. They must hold a degree and a Doctor of Veterinary Science and register with their state’s Veterinarian Board.

A vet nurse, by contrast, is the equivalent of a nurse (clearly). They usually hold at least a Certificate IV and work in a support role to the veterinarian in patient care and operations.

What you’ll do every day as a vet nurse varies depending on a few factors, like:

An experienced vet nurse working in a specialist clinic for exotic birds will be involved in very different activities to a new vet nurse working in a busy general practice animal hospital.

Whatever role you find yourself in, you will be working closely with animals and people. You’ll also be responsible for a wide range of duties and responsibilities including:

You’re not limited to working in animal hospitals or general practice clinics, either. You can find vet nurses at:

If you’re imagining your future life as a vet nurse, you may be wondering: what is the typical work schedule of a veterinary nurse?

The answer is: it depends on the clinic. It’s common for vet nurses to work a regular Monday to Friday work week, with occasional overtime. Many clinics, however, are open on weekends, which means you may get rostered on. If you work at an emergency centre, you will probably be required to do regular night shifts.

My typical day depends on what shift I work. I do 10-hour shifts, and I work in a hospital that is very, very busy. It’s constantly on the move. When you’re a nurse, you’re also a receptionist. So you’re out the front taking phone calls, emails, and talking to clients. 

Lots of clients call up and ask for general information like food and diet. So you have to be knowledgeable about the best diet for cats and dogs, especially those who suffer from diseases or have dietary imbalances. 

The other part of my day would be if I’m a consulting nurse, which means that I go into every consultation before a vet does. So, half my day can be spent in surgeries, monitoring the anaesthetic, taking blood, placing catheters, giving the dogs their fluids, giving them the medications. 

Lots of cleaning! Part of the job is lots of cleaning and laundry. Basically, it’s 24/7 — you don’t stop.

As with many careers, vet nurses are paid according to their experience and skill level. Pay typically ranges between $44,000-$87,500 for vet nurses in Australia. As in the animal care industry more generally, it’s not particularly high-paying work, especially when you’re just starting out. Entry-level veterinary nurse jobs pay around $44,000, or $18/hr.

People in this career are in it for the love — not the money. Still, your earning potential can grow over time if you play your cards right and invest in your career.

Very experienced, highly skilled vet nurses with leadership and management skills are considered extremely valuable, and veterinary practices will pay well to keep the right person on staff. A Diploma and leadership experience will increase your value — and your chances of earning closer to the high end of the scale.

Minimum wages are set by the Australian government. Veterinary nurses are covered by the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award [MA000118], which can be helpful for seeing pay rates for shift and casual work.

It’s worth looking at the Fair Work website for more details around your employment rights and minimum standards.

Demand for vet nurses looks set to grow. Pre-pandemic, the government predicted 13% growth by 2024, following an incredible doubling of the number of vet nurses between 2014 and 2019. 

Vet nursing can be a flexible job, with a half-and-half ratio of full-time or part-time positions. So you have the chance to nab a position with great job security and regular hours if that’s your aim. Or if you’d prefer more flexibility — for instance, if you have plans to start a family — there are plenty of part-time roles available.

Most (97%) vet nurses are women, whereas veterinarians are more evenly split (61% women). This means that your peers will be mostly women, and you may work in a fairly female-dominated environment. 

Veterinary clinics were considered essential services during COVID-19, and so we are able to stay open throughout lockdowns. 

Training providers, however, had to adapt. Courses largely moved to a blend of online and flexible study, which meant students were able to continue their coursework. It has also opened the doors to more flexible learning in future.

To become a vet nurse, you won’t need a degree, but you will need, at a minimum, a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. The courses below are pathway courses to help you get into the Cert IV.

It usually takes about 2 years to become a qualified veterinary nurse, 2 years being the time it takes to complete a Certificate IV when studying full-time — though you may start working as a student nurse far before then.

On the other hand, if you have a busy schedule or you’d like to study while you work, you may want to take on part-time study. In that case, it can take longer, depending on your study load.

Get your experience and skills formally recognised or upgrade an older qualification by arranging a Recognition of Current Competence.

Steps:

If you’re keen on becoming a vet nurse, these are the steps you need to take:

You want to get into the Cert IV, but first you’ll need to make sure you meet the entry requirements. There are a few ways to achieve this:

With a traineeship, you can earn money and experience while you earn a qualification. 

You’ll need the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing to start working as a vet nurse. This is the minimum requirement in Australia.

If you’ve taken on a traineeship, you’ve already got this step covered! If not, then you may have to source a work placement to complete your course. The great news is that you may end up working at the clinic you do your placement at. After all, it’s all about who you know, and it’s a great opportunity to build your first relationships in the industry.

If you’re looking for a placement or your first job, follow these steps:

Getting accredited is optional, but it’s a great idea. It shows your commitment to constant improvement and professional development. This will be highly regarded by employers in a crowded job market.

Check out the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia for instructions on how to get accreditation.

Your learning journey is only beginning! Once you’re in a veterinary practice, you’ll have the opportunity to soak up as much information and skills as you can. Don’t waste it — this is the time that separates you (a great vet nurse) from just a good vet nurse. 

Here are some tips for making the most of your first few years:

Once you’ve gained some experience, it’s time to grow as a nurse by continuing to the Diploma. You might also choose to study a specialist certificate in an area such as wildlife. This may also further your career, lead you to better pay, and open up career pathways in the industry.

If you love animals, vet nursing is one of the most rewarding, fulfilling careers out there. If you’re the one your friends and family turn to in a crisis, and you’re looking for more than just a job, this could be the purpose you’ve been looking for.