When Things Don’t Go to Plan: Supporting Struggling SVNs with Compassion and Clarity

Supporting student veterinary nurses (SVNs) on placement is one of the most rewarding roles in practice, but it’s not without its challenges. Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, a student begins to struggle. Whether it’s confidence, clinical skills, communication, or personal circumstances affecting performance, it can be difficult for clinical supervisors to know what to do […]

The First 90 Days: How to Help SVNs Settle into Practice and Succeed

Taking on a student veterinary nurse (SVN) is a fantastic opportunity to support the next generation of Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs). For many students, their placement is the first real taste of working in a veterinary practice setting. These early weeks are critical in shaping how they feel about the role, the profession, and their […]

Supervising an SVN? What you can and can’t expect from them

Supervising a student veterinary nurse (SVN) is a rewarding responsibility, but it can also raise questions about what’s appropriate to expect at each stage of their veterinary nurse training. Some students come in with a lot of confidence; others may be quiet, cautious, or unsure. Without clear expectations, it’s easy for SVNs to feel overwhelmed […]

From Student to RVN: Mapping the SVN Journey in Practice

For many aspiring veterinary nurses, the journey begins long before their first day in practice. Often it starts with a childhood love for animals, or a personal experience that ignited a passion for caring for them. However, whilst enthusiasm is essential, transforming that passion into professional competence is a longer process. It requires not only […]

From Student Vet Nurse to Practice Manager: Laura Doran Shares Her Veterinary Nursing Career Journey

Laura Doran completed her veterinary nurse training with us in 2007, going on to study the Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship, incorporating the ILM Level 5 Diploma for Operational Leaders and Managers. Here, Laura shares her career journey so far, as well as her experiences training at CAW: I started my Veterinary career in March […]

How to Choose a Veterinary Nursing Course

Choosing the right veterinary nursing course is a crucial step towards building a successful career in the profession. Taking the time to choose the right course will help ensure that your training meets your needs and prepares you for the challenges and rewards of the veterinary nursing profession. With a variety of veterinary nursing courses […]

Is A Veterinary Nursing Career Right For You?

If you’re contemplating a veterinary nursing career, it’s important to assess whether it aligns with your skills, interests, and long-term goals. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you determine if a career in veterinary nursing is the right fit for you. Understand the veterinary nurse job role First and foremost, it’s essential to have a […]

10 Things You Need to Know about Veterinary Nursing

Veterinary nursing is a profession that can be misunderstood by those outside the field. Whilst it’s a career filled with rewarding moments, it’s also one that requires dedication, skill, and resilience. To shed light on what the veterinary nursing profession truly involves, here are ten veterinary nursing facts you should know that debunk some of […]

5 Benefits of Becoming a Training Practice (TP)

In order to train veterinary nurses, veterinary practices have to be approved as either a Training and Assessment Practice (TP) or an Auxiliary Training Practice (aTP) by an Approved Centre (Primary Centre). Becoming a Training Practice offers veterinary practices the chance to grow and strengthen their team in a cost-effective, sustainable way. From developing your […]

Roll-On Roll-Off – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Roll-on, Roll-off (RORO)? The RORO study programme has been put in place for those students who are already employed in an approved training practice and ready to start studying the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal). You can enrol at any time and, once enrolled with the Royal College of Veterinary […]