While many veterinary nurses begin their careers in general practice clinics and veterinary hospitals, gaining broad skills and experience, the field also offers diverse opportunities to deepen one’s expertise in specific areas through further education and on-the-job training.
In veterinary medicine, just as in human medicine, we might refer to this progression as a speciality or specialisation. However, there are no formal qualifications in Australia for specialisation in veterinary nursing and therefore, we use the term specialisation to refer to an area of expertise based on experience, knowledge and the training available rather than a formal qualification.Â
In this post, we explore the diverse career pathways available to veterinary nurses, highlighting the range of specialty areas available and the potential for professional growth. Whether you aspire to work in emergency and critical care, surgical nursing, diagnostic imaging, exotic pet medicine or another specialty field, the veterinary nursing profession offers many exciting opportunities for those looking to make a difference in animal health care.
1) Anaesthesia and Surgical Vet Nursing
Working primarily in anaesthesia and surgical nursing can be a rewarding career path. This field requires technical expertise and a deep understanding of anaesthesia and patient monitoring, surgical procedures, and post-operative care. Veterinary nurses working in these specialty areas work closely with veterinary surgical and anaesthetic teams to provide comprehensive patient care, including close monitoring of vital signs, and management of pain.
Top 7 Veterinary Nursing Specialisations
Whilst many qualified vet nurses are equipped with the knowledge and skills to assist veterinarians in general anaesthesia and surgical procedures as part of their daily routines, some larger practices and emergency/specialist centres will employ dedicated nurses in this area.
To pursue a career in veterinary anaesthesia and surgical nursing, further education and training can be undertaken beyond a general veterinary nursing qualification. Specific courses and certifications provide the higher level of knowledge and training required for the skills needed in these important areas of veterinary medicine and surgery and advanced patient care. Continuing professional development and experience is essential to stay updated on advancements in these fields.
As mentioned, there is a demand for skilled veterinary nurses in anaesthesia and surgical nursing in specialist hospitals, referral centres, and university-operated practices. Â
2) Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
If you’re comfortable handling high-pressure situations and providing urgent medical care to animals in critical condition, working in a veterinary emergency and critical care hospital may be a career path for you.
Emergency veterinary nurses, also called critical care veterinary nurses, assist the veterinarian in delivering immediate and life-saving medical attention to animals and are essential in providing the highest level of intensive patient care required of these critically ill animals Working in specialist animal hospitals or emergency practices, these dedicated professionals respond to a multitude of life-threatening conditions with speed, expertise, and compassion.
A strong foundation in general veterinary nursing is essential for pursuing a career in this area. You can then advance your skills through further experience and training in emergency and critical care studies and on-the-job mentoring.
Diplomas in Emergency Veterinary Nursing and Surgical Veterinary Nursing are also available.
Nurses with advanced skills and knowledge in critical care and emergency veterinary nursing are highly sought after in specialist hospitals as well as university veterinary teaching hospitals
A veterinary emergency and critical care nursing career requires dedication, resilience, and an ability to work in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment. But the rewards are immeasurable, as you can directly impact the treatment and recovery of critically ill and injured animals.
3) Veterinary Dental Nursing
If you are interested in dental care and want to ensure the oral health of animals, a career in veterinary dental nursing may be a good fit for you.
Veterinary dental nurses play a vital role in managing the dental health of animals. Working under the supervision of veterinarians, vet nurses with skills in dental health and hygiene assist in a range of activities, including routine oral health care such as scale and polish teeth cleaning, dental health check-ups, client education, assisting with complex dental procedures and maintaining dental records.
After obtaining a qualification in veterinary nursing, those wishing to pursue a career in dental veterinary nursing can gain further knowledge and skills in dental care by attending short courses, workshops and conferences, as well as gaining essential hands-on learning on-the-job. A Diploma in Veterinary Dental nursing is also available.
Veterinary dental nurses often find employment in larger veterinary hospitals, including primary care clinics, mixed practices, emergency and critical care facilities and specialist hospitals. They can work with various animals, including cats and dogs, cattle, horses, exotic animals and more.
4) Equine veterinary nursing
If you have a passion for horses and a desire to make a meaningful impact on their health and well-being, consider a career in equine veterinary nursing. Equine veterinary nurses care for horses and support veterinarians in providing high-quality health care. There are diverse employment opportunities in this field, from equine veterinary clinics to stud farms, large stables, and race courses.
The job market for equine veterinary nurses in Australia is booming, fueled by a high demand for skilled professionals.
Ever considered becoming an Equine Veterinary Nurse?
Those wishing to move into equine veterinary nursing can gain crucial practical experience working with horses through employment or work placement in equine veterinary practices or stud farms. They can also gain further knowledge by enrolling in equine veterinary specific courses focused on knowledge specific to horse care. Additional education in equine-specific areas such as dentistry, reproduction, and lameness can significantly enhance a veterinary equine nurse’s expertise.
Advanced career options in equine nursing include surgery, reproductive management and sports medicine. These pathways allow you to deepen your expertise and contribute to the well-being of horses at a higher level.
Equine veterinary nursing offers a way to combine your experience and love for horses with a rewarding and fulfilling profession. Seek practical experiences, engage with the equine community, and stay up-to-date with advancements in equine health care to increase your chances of gaining employment in this highly sought after sector of veterinary nursing.Â
5) Exotic Animal Veterinary Nursing
Exotic veterinary medicine specialises in caring for unusual pets, such as reptiles, amphibians, birds, and even small mammals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, and rats. It requires a deep understanding of diverse species and their unique health needs.
As a veterinary nurse working in an exotic animal clinic, you will use your specific technical knowledge and hands-on expertise to work alongside veterinarians, providing medical treatments, assisting with surgical procedures, performing diagnostic tests, administering medications and performing routine daily tasks similar to nurses treating small animals such as cats and dogs.
As the popularity of exotic animals grows in Australia, the job prospects for veterinary nurses in this area are also growing. Job opportunities exist in dedicated exotic animal veterinary practices and large veterinary hospitals with an exotic animal veterinarian on staff.
This niche market within veterinary medicine comes with unique challenges and rewards in caring for exotic creatures and impacting their well-being and care.
6) Shelter Care Veterinary Nursing
Working as a veterinary nurse in a welfare and shelter organisation offers a unique and rewarding path within the field. As a shelter care veterinary nurse, you will provide compassionate care to animals in need.
This field requires the general skills and knowledge of a general practice veterinary nurse as well as patience and resilience to manage and care for patients with a range of needs, including those who have been victims of mistreatment.
Collaborating with veterinarians, you’ll assist in the management of injury, illness, recovery, and rehabilitation of unwell and mistreated animals, administer emergency first aid care, help with anaesthesia and surgery, provide dental care, assist with nutrition and care plans for malnourished animals, and deliver general care to a range of animals moving through the shelter facility.
The rising popularity of pets has a bittersweet outcome in this area. While more people are welcoming animal companions into their lives in Australia, more animals are finding their way to shelters, leading to a surge in the size of existing shelters and the creation of entirely new services. This surge translates to new opportunities for shelter care vet nurses, particularly those working in organisations with dedicated on-site veterinary facilities and for those with skills in animal behaviour and training.
Choosing a career in shelter care veterinary nursing is an ideal way to combine your passion for helping animals who deserve a second chance in life with your veterinary nursing skills.
Seeking more skills in animal behaviour and training?
7) Practice Management (Head Nursing)
 If your dedication to veterinary nursing has you aspiring to take on a leadership role, consider a career as a practice manager. A role as a practice manager in a veterinary practice in Australia offers a unique pathway within the field.
As a practice manager, you oversee the clinic’s operations and administration. Drawing on your veterinary nursing expertise, you’ll ensure the clinic runs smoothly and efficiently while supporting and guiding the veterinary care team.
Beyond a veterinary nursing qualification, practice managers can pursue further education in management, leadership, and business administration.
Responsibilities may include running team meetings, organising rosters, managing inventory, bookkeeping, human resource duties including recruitment and performance management, dealing with client feedback, marketing and promotion.
The role of a practice manager is pivotal to the smooth running of a successful veterinary hospital and is a natural pathway for veterinary nurses who communicate well in team and individual situations, have excellent organisational skills and can empower and motivate others toward a shared vision.
Practice managers can also advance their careers to become regional area managers in corporately owned veterinary groups, where they oversee multiple veterinary practices within a specific area.
Other Veterinary Nursing Specialities
In addition to those mentioned above, there are other specialised areas within the veterinary field that offer exciting opportunities for growth and advancement. These include ophthalmology, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, cardiology, and dermatology.
Ophthalmology focuses on eye health and disorders. Veterinary nurses assist veterinary ophthalmologists in performing eye examinations and non-invasive and surgical procedures involving the eye. Nurses also assist and support pet owners in administering eye medications and in the home-care requirements of patients with eye conditions and treatment regimes.
Diagnostic imaging involves operating advanced imaging equipment to aid in accurate diagnoses. Vet nurses may be involved in caring for and assisting patients who require various forms of imaging, such as radiology, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, ultrasound and nuclear medicine imaging.
Internal medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating complex diseases. Patients frequently have complex diseases or are unwell and require further advanced diagnostic procedures to determine how to support or treat them. In internal medicine centres, veterinary nurses are a critical part of the patient care team and work closely with veterinarians to monitor patients and develop important relationships with pet owners.
Cardiology involves assessing and treating heart and circulatory conditions. Vet nurses assist specialists in this field who use various diagnostic tools such as electrocardiograms and echocardiograms and perform specialised procedures.
Dermatology centres around diagnosing, treating and managing conditions relating to skin, hair, nails, and hooves in a range of animals. These include allergies, skin disease and cancer, congenital and autoimmune diseases and disorders and parasitic infections. Testing and treatment of these conditions can be lengthy and complex, and veterinary nurses play an important role in assisting veterinarians and supporting pet owners in helping them manage their pet’s ongoing skin conditions.
Choosing a dedicated field in veterinary nursing allows you to develop expertise in a specific area and opens doors to rewarding career opportunities. Continual learning and professional development are vital to thriving in your chosen field and providing top-quality animal care.
Where Do Most Speciality Vet Nurses Get a Job?
Veterinary nurses with advanced training and qualifications in various fields find employment opportunities in different settings depending on their area of expertise. Here’s a breakdown of where most vet nurses with specialty experience tend to get a job in Australia:
Emergency and Critical Care Centres
These nurses primarily work in emergency centres and after-hours practices. Their expertise in handling critical cases and providing immediate care is in high demand in these fast-paced environments. Emergency centres and after-hours practices rely on their skills to triage emergencies and provide life-saving treatments to animals in need.
Specialist Veterinary Centres and Universities
Nurses with skills in anaesthesia and surgical nursing, dental nursing, ophthalmology, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, cardiology, and dermatology often find employment in animal specialist centres. These specialised centres, including those operated by universities and privately owned facilities, focus on providing advanced veterinary care in specific areas. Veterinary nurses with advanced training are essential in assisting veterinarians and specialists in delivering treatments and procedures to provide the highest level of patient care.
Equine Veterinary Hospitals and Equine FacilitiesÂ
Equine vet nurses have a range of employment opportunities. They can work in equine practices dedicated to the health and well-being of horses. Additionally, they may find employment in mixed animal practices that provide veterinary care for both small and large animals. The racing industry and stud farms, where breeding and reproductive services are a priority, also employ equine vet nurses.
An opportunity for advancement
As veterinary nursing training and advancement continue to grow and evolve, it’s essential for aspiring vet nurses or those wishing to explore further training and study to consider their interests and career goals when choosing a pathway. Researching specific job opportunities, exploring educational programs, and networking within the veterinary industry can help find the right career path.
The job outlook for veterinary nurses in Australia is promising, with increasing employment opportunities and a projected growth rate of 15.4%. Veterinary nurses play a vital role in the community, supporting pet owners and working closely with animals in veterinary practices. The demand for vet nurses is high, driven by the flourishing pet ownership in Australia and the growing need for veterinary services.
If you’re passionate about animals and interested in pursuing a rewarding career as a Vet Nurse, check out our study options and qualifications. Our courses provide comprehensive education and practical training for students in the animal care industry.
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