Veterinary nurse
Level 3 · AdvancedAgriculture, environmental and animal care 2.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A veterinary nurse apprenticeship trains you to support vets in caring for animals in a clinical setting, carrying out nursing procedures, anaesthesia monitoring, and diagnostic support under veterinary direction. You will work with companion animals - primarily dogs, cats, and small pets - in a registered veterinary practice and must complete Schedule 3 training to perform additional procedures. On completion you can apply for registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a registered veterinary nurse.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Animal anatomy, physiology, and common diseases across species
Pre-, peri-, and post-operative nursing and patient monitoring
Anaesthesia induction, maintenance, and recovery care
Diagnostic imaging, laboratory sample collection, and testing
Surgical instrument preparation, sterilisation, and scrub techniques
Client communication and animal nursing ethics
Pharmacy handling, drug storage, and dispensing protocols
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Admit, assess, and prepare patients for consultation or surgery
Monitor animals under general anaesthesia and record vital signs
Assist vets during surgical and dental procedures
Collect blood, urine, and tissue samples for analysis
Administer medications and intravenous fluids as directed
Educate clients on post-operative care and preventive health
Maintain clinical records and update patient notes accurately
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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