Every day is a journey
A cat has just been admitted with kidney failure, a motor vehicle
accident victim has just walked through the day, and the waiting room
is full of clients. Not only does the nurse assist the veterinarian in
medical procedures and surgery, they also are a hub of information and
communication for their clients.
In addition, their daily schedule includes cleaning, sterilising and
preparing surgical instruments, monitoring the anaesthetic during
operations and giving medication and injections under veterinary
supervision. They also may insert catheters for intravenous fluids,
develop x-rays and perform clerical duties and receptionist work.
A passion for animals is a major attraction for potential candidates
for the veterinary industry however new recruits find out soon that
there are also a number of menial tasks that must be done each and
every day. Even the most senior of nurses may need to lend a hand to
cleaning kennels or picking up dog faeces.
In addition, a nurse must be able to cope with the fact that some
people may not treat their animals with the same respect that you and
I might. Or at the same time some owners can’t cope with a healthy pet
and may choose to have their animal’s euthanased.
A veterinary nurse salary is usually reflective of their age and
experience. Junior veterinary nurses earn approximately $25,000 per
year and senior nurses or hospital managers can earn up to $40,000.
Where to start – turning dreams into reality
The current qualification that provides an individual with the skill
to provide competent support to a Veterinary Practice is a Certificate
IV in Veterinary Nursing (RUV 40198). Prior to this, a Certificate II
and Certificate III are the progressions towards the final
certificate. This is a National qualification recognised in all states
in Australia.
All training providers in Australia offer accreditation to this
qualification through the Veterinary Nursing Training Package. Once
this initial qualification has been gained further units of study can
be achieved up to Diploma level.
There are a number of ways of achieving certification. Fore more
information we recommend contacting the Vet Nurses Council of
Australia, www.vnca.asn.au. The VNCA offers
support and direction for Veterinary Nurses and sets and maintains
standards for excellence in animal care through quality education and
support.
There is also more information available at
Australian Apprenticeships
www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
For the list of Registered Training Providers go to the
National Training Information Service at
www.ntis.gov.au
Fast Track to Starting a Veterinary Nursing Career…
There are a number of options with regard to obtaining this
qualification depending on what state of Australia you live in.
In Victoria:-
Full/or part time study at Box Hill Institute of TAFE
www.bhtafe.edu.au
Full/or part time study
at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE
Golburn Ovens Institute
www.gotafe.vic.edu.au
Full/or part time study at Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT)
www.nmit.vic.edu.au
In New South Wales
Full/or part time study at Canberra Institute of Technology
www.cit.act.edu.au
Various TAFE locations -
www.tafensw.edu.au
In Western Australia
Full/or part time study at
The Centre for Animal Studies, Swan College of Tafe
http://swan.tafe.wa.edu.au
Full/part time/or external study Applied Vocational Training
www.appvoc.com
Veterinary nurse traineeships (conditions apply) contact WA Primary Industries Training Council. Telephone 9359 4000
In South Australia
Full/or part time study at Gillies Plains visit
www.tafe.sa.gov.au
In Queensland
You must already be employed by a Veterinary practice to start the
full time or part time course at Department of Employment and Training
trading as Brisbane and North Point Institute of TAFE 07 3259 5127
http://www.bnp.tafe.net
External options
External study with the
Australian Veterinary Nurse Resource Centre,
www.avnrc.com.au
