There are two routes to becoming qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN); either through vocational (college) training or via a higher education (university degree) qualification. Both routes lead to registration as a veterinary nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). More information can be found here.
We are currently accepting applications from degree student veterinary nurses at Cromwell Vets – here’s some more information about what a placement might look like for you at our practice.
Degree student nurses experience
We have no preferences with regards to experience level of students on placement as we have clinical supervisors comfortable with all aspects of SVN training.
Opportunities available for student nurses and working hours
We ask all our degree placement SVNs to take part in our usual 40 hour per week rota which includes one weekend day every 4 weeks with a day off in lieu. Daily shifts are 8 hours plus a 1-hour lunch break ranging from a 7.30am-4.30pm shift to a 12pm-9pm shift depending on the role of the SVN for the day. We feel this allows our placement students to feel like a full part of our team and experience the whole range of cases from routine to emergency.
What we expect from our student nurses and what they can expect in return
We are a general first opinion practice with our own out of hours and thus a very varied caseload. We frequently have all types of cases needed to cover the day one skills including endoscopy, ultrasonography, chemotherapy, and orthopaedic surgeries. We have a very strong medicine team and our own out of hours providing 24-hour care, so there's plenty of inpatient care opportunities as well as emergencies and surgery.
Our SVN degree placements are expected to take part in all areas of clinical duties ranging from making up medications, caring for our inpatients, anaesthesia monitoring, laboratory skills, and nursing clinics. There are not routinely client care/reception duties assigned to SVNs or RVNs in our practice, there time is dedicated to clinical practice, but training in these areas can be provided if requested by students.
Travel and accommodation
We are easily accessible by public transport, with a train station within a 5 minute walk and bus stop right outside. On site parking is limited but staff parking is available in a public car park 5 minutes’ walk away, and parking fees can be reimbursed. We are unfortunately not able to provide accommodation.
Are there any accessibility considerations that I might need to take into account at your practice?
Although the majority of clinical areas are on one level, there are some rooms with a single step that wouldn't be suitable for wheelchair users. The offices and admin spaces are all up 1 flight of stairs and no lifts are available.
We have a lovely cosy break room with comfy chairs and a tv, and a town centre location with some local green spaces in which to spend lunch breaks.
