How to Become A Veterinary Nurse In South Africa

Veterinary nursing is the supportive care of animals receiving treatment within a veterinary practice. A veterinary nurse works as a member of the veterinary team, providing expert nursing care for sick animals. Veterinary nurses also play a significant role in educating owners on maintaining the health of their pets.

Is a vet nurse a real thing?

Similar to nurses in human medicine, veterinary nurses have been educated in the latest medical advances and are skilled at working alongside veterinarians to provide pets with the best medical care possible. Veterinary nurses are compassionate, highly motivated paraprofessionals dedicated to animal health care.

Do vet nurses put animals down?

8.4 Generally, only veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses acting under their direction and in accordance with Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, have access to the controlled drugs often used to carry out the euthanasia of animals.

Do vet nurses assist in euthanasia?

End-of-life care and euthanasia is one of the most commonly performed procedures in veterinary practice. The veterinary nurse is expected to assist the veterinarian throughout this process, but is expected to perform additional roles of the comforter, or taking care of the client needs.

How to Become A Veterinary Nurse In South Africa

STEPS

Here are some steps you can take to become a veterinary nurse:

1. Graduate from high school

In order to attend veterinary school, complete your high school education or earn a GED. While in school, focus on science and math since those subjects can be important in the veterinary field for various tasks such as weighing animals and measuring medicine dosages.

2. Gain experience with animals

Because work experience is usually a requirement for finding a job as a veterinary nurse, it is helpful to gain experience with animals early on. This can help you learn if being a veterinary nurse is a job you would be interested in and want to pursue an education for. Besides volunteering at a veterinarian clinic, consider other animal environments such as your local animal shelter or kennel.

3. Attend a nursing program

You can earn a veterinary nursing degree through a college accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Veterinary nurses can earn either a two-year degree to become a veterinary technician, or a four-year degree to become a veterinary technologist. Classes cover related topics, such as:

Medical terminology

Biochemistry

Anatomy

Physiology

Pharmacology

Small animal nursing

Preventive health care

3. Get licensed

Most veterinary nurse positions require being licensed. Research the requirements for your state so you can prepare to get your license to practice as a nurse.

4. Earn a certification

Depending on where you are located, you may also want to earn a related certification in animal studies, veterinary nursing or another related field. Earning a certificate can help you specialize your knowledge in the industry and become more marketable for jobs. You can earn a certificate online, and it typically takes less than a year to complete.

Skills for a veterinary nurse

Below are some skills needed to help a veterinary nurse excel:

Communication: A veterinary nurse works with a veterinarian, other staff and talks with an animal’s owner about the animal’s condition and treatment plan, so being able to communicate clearly is helpful.

Teamwork: Veterinary nurses work with a veterinarian and other veterinarian employees together to accomplish the overall goal of helping animals.

Animal anatomy: To help veterinarians work on a particular part of an animal’s body, a veterinary nurse learns and is knowledgeable about animal anatomy.

Compassion: Veterinary nurses may often have to give disappointing or concerning information to an animal’s owner so it’s important to be compassionate and understanding.

Patient care: An understanding of patient care, or how to prevent and treat diseases and injuries can help veterinary nurses in their role of assisting veterinarians.

Physical stamina: To perform tasks, veterinary nurses use physical strength when lifting animals to examination tables and working on their feet all day.

List Of Veterinary Nursing Schools In South Africa

List Of Veterinary Nursing Schools In South Africa

Below are the list of Veterinary Nursing Schools in South Africa

University of Pretoria – Veterinary Nursing

Ross University School of Veterinary

What subjects do you need to become a veterinarian in South Africa?

What subjects do vet students study in first year?

Academic and Information Management.

General Chemistry.

Language and Study Skills.

Mathematics.

Medical Terminology.

Molecular and Cell Biology.

Physics for Biology Students.

Training as a veterinary nurse

The current veterinary nursing qualification is the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon’s (RCVS) level three diploma in veterinary nursing.  

It can be done on either a full time basis or apprenticeship-style alongside a job in a veterinary practice. It takes between two and three years to qualify.  

Some universities offer a foundation or BSc honours degree in veterinary nursing too – contact them directly for entry requirements and prospectuses. 

To start training as a veterinary nurse you must have the following minimum educational qualifications: 

Five GCSEs at grade C and above (or five Scottish Standard Grades one to three), which must include English language, maths and a science subject.

OR

An animal nursing assistant (ANA) or veterinary care assistant (VCA) qualification, along with functional skills level two in application of number and communication. 

The British Veterinary Nursing Association can provide details about these qualifications and how to get them.

Other qualifications may be considered acceptable – you’ll need to discuss this with your local college. 

There is no age limit for when you can begin training as a veterinary nurse. 

Qualifying as a veterinary nurse 

To qualify as a veterinary nurse you must:

Be enrolled as a student veterinary nurse with the RCVS.

Attend college-based study for a minimum of 22 weeks over the period of training before exams are sat – usually two years. The college must be approved by the RCVS.

Complete a minimum of 60 full time weeks of practical experience within an RCVS registered training practice.

Compile an electronic nursing progress log (NPL) which provides a complete record of the clinical skills you have learned throughout your training.

Pass written multiple choice question exams in the theory of veterinary nursing. 

Pass a practical exam in veterinary nursing skills.

Once you’re qualified you’ll need to pay an annual registration fee to the RCVS in order to undertake certain privileges under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 Schedule Three Amendment Order 2002.

A list of approved course providers, centres and training practices, as well as an application form to enrol as a student veterinary nurse, is available from the RCVS website.

How long does it take to become a vet nurse in South Africa?

Since 2011, students who are already enrolled in the programme will need 3 years to complete the BSc (Veterinary Biology) degree and another 4 years for the 4-year BVSc degree; a total of 7 years.

How much does a vet nurse earn in South Africa?

A mid-career Veterinary Nurse with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of R240,000 based on 5 salaries. An experienced Veterinary Nurse with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R276,000 based on 5 salaries.

Where can I study veterinary nursing in South Africa?

the University of Pretoria

The full-time BVetNurs programme is only offered by the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria, and it is the only faculty of its kind in South Africa.

How long does it take to qualify as a vet nurse?

Training as a veterinary nurse

It can be done on either a full time basis or apprenticeship-style alongside a job in a veterinary practice. It takes between two and three years to qualify.

How many years does it take to be a veterinary nurse?

It usually takes about 2 years to become a qualified veterinary nurse, 2 years being the time it takes to complete a Certificate IV when studying full-time — though you may start working as a student nurse far before then.

What subjects are needed to become a vet nurse in SA?

In South Africa, the veterinary nursing qualification is offered only at the veterinary faculty of the University of Pretoria. If you would like to follow this study path, you will need to pass English, a second language, mathematics, life sciences and physical sciences in Grade 12

Where can I study animal health in South Africa?

SAVC approved Animal Health training is currently being presented by two institutions, namely North-West University (both a National Diploma and a BSc degree) and Unisa (National Diploma – busy working towards a BSc degree). These are the only SAVC recognized qualifications in South African.

Which universities offer veterinary courses in South Africa?

The only place to study Veterinary Science in South Africa is at the University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort campus.