8 Pros And Cons Of Working As A Veterinary Nurse

Veterinary nurses support operations in an animal clinic hospital. If you’re interested in caring for pets, you could consider a career as a veterinary nurse. Learning about some of the benefits and challenges of being a veterinary nurse can help you make a more informed career decision. In this article, we discuss the role of a veterinary nurse and examine the pros and cons of being one.

What is a veterinary nurse?

A veterinary nurse is someone who helps take care of pets and supports veterinarians. They help treat animals and show owners how to give medication or treat their pets at home. Some additional duties include:

• Meeting with owners to learn more about symptoms

• Examining animals to find possible illnesses or injuries

• Helping vets administer anesthesia and other medications

• Assisting with surgical procedures

• Cleaning and bandaging injuries

• Performing dental cleanings

• Exercising and feeding animals

• Creating and updating animal records for future visits

• Taking and reviewing X-rays

Pros and cons of working as a vet nurse

Here is a list of pros to being a veterinary nurse:

Pros of working as a vet nurse

Consider these four benefits of working as a vet nurse:

1. They get to interact with animals all-day

One of the biggest benefits of being a vet nurse is most of your duties involve working with animals. As a vet nurse, you can work with a variety of animals, from dogs and cats to birds and reptiles. Though some animals could be skittish, it can be satisfying to know you’re helping them feel better. You may also be able to specialize if you want to work with a particular type of animal. For example, if you love horses, you could find a job as a vet nurse at an equine veterinary center.

2. They help animals

Being a vet nurse can be a fulfilling career since you actively help animals recover from illnesses or injuries. It can be satisfying to see pets make improvements and bring owners relief. Many owners bring in their pets for general checkups and vaccinations, usually once or twice per year, depending on the type and age of the animal. Vet nurses also help these pets stay healthy and maintain a good quality of life, which also makes owners happy.

3. They get to work with and for people who love animals

Most people who work in veterinary services enjoy spending time with animals, and you regularly interact with owners who love their pets. Working with and for people who also love animals can create a positive work environment that you enjoy working in every day. A good work environment is a key factor in maintaining an ideal work-life balance and staying satisfied with your job long term.

4. You can start working quickly

In some states, you can become a vet nurse without completing additional schooling or earning a certification. That means you can start working as a vet nurse full-time once you graduate high school. If you’re interested in this route, it’s helpful to research your state’s guidelines and look at local vet nurse job listings to see if most clinics require experience. You can get related experience by volunteering at an animal shelter or working as a groomer or pet sitter.

Cons of working as a vet nurse

You may want to consider these four drawbacks of being a vet nurse:

1. Some animals could be stressed

Animals can’t tell veterinarians what the problem is or where they experience pain. Veterinary nurses often have to search to locate the problem area, which can be sensitive or painful for the animal. Some animals can become aggressive because they don’t understand that the nurse is trying to help them. Fortunately, veterinary hospitals and clinics have various procedures and medicines to help calm the animal while you work with them. For example, many clinics anesthetize animals to clean their teeth and take X-rays, which makes these processes easier and safer for both you and the pet.

2. The workdays can be long

Veterinary nurses can sometimes work long hours at the office for various reasons, including supporting lengthy surgeries, filling out important paperwork or checking and caring for animals in need. Depending on the type of facility, some nurses may find that their schedule is unpredictable, as many are on call during the weekends or nights. However, vet nurses can get overtime pay, which can be an incentive for working longer hours or coming in for emergencies.

3. Owners can present challenges

Pet owners of sick animals might be challenging to work with because they care about their pet’s well-being. Some pet owners may have a number of questions before proceeding with a certain test or procedure or may become very emotional when given their pet’s diagnosis. Vet nurses typically receive training to provide support and comfort in these situations. Offering several treatment options for owners and explaining the process for each can also help owners feel more comfortable and confident in their decisions.

4. You may have to pay for school and a certification

Some states require vet nurses to go to a special veterinary vet nurse school and earn a certification to work. Even in states where there are no education and certification requirements, many employers may still look for candidates with these credentials. Vet nurse school usually lasts about two years, with tuition costs varying based on the school. There’s also usually an application fee when you apply for your certification. Some employers could help you with the cost of school and your certification, and you can also explore financial assistance options.

I hope you find this article helpful.