Registered Veterinary Nurse – Out of Hours FTC

About the Role

This is a dedicated out-of-hours emergency and critical care position based at Abivale Veterinary Group’s 24/7 facility in Abingdon. You’ll be part of a specialist night team providing gold-standard care to the practice’s own clients and local referring practices. This is a 13-month fixed-term contract, full-time role working a rotating night shift pattern (5 nights on, 5 nights off), with shifts ranging from 6:45 PM to 7:45 AM depending on the day.

No two nights are the same in this role—you’ll encounter a varied and often unpredictable caseload that will stretch your nursing skills and keep you engaged. You’ll work independently when needed but always collaborating closely with experienced veterinary surgeons, in a supportive environment where your professional development is actively encouraged.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide emergency and critical care nursing to a busy out-of-hours caseload (own clients and referrals from local practices)
• Work independently while maintaining close collaboration with the veterinary surgical team
• Handle a varied range of presenting conditions, from routine stabilisation to complex critical cases
• Maintain high standards of patient care, monitoring, and record-keeping during night shifts
• Contribute to the supportive culture of the night team and liaise effectively with day teams

Requirements

• Current RVN registration (RCVS)
• Experience or strong interest in emergency and critical care nursing
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
• Excellent communication skills and a calm, organised approach under pressure
• Confidence handling a varied and unpredictable caseload
• Flexibility to work night shifts on a 5-on, 5-off rota pattern

Benefits

• Salary & Bonus: Up to £40,000 DOE plus £2,000 welcome bonus
• Leave: 6.6 weeks annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus your birthday as a paid day off
• Wellbeing: Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay, private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership, non-accidental injury support
• Professional Development: £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid pro rata, certificate support, access to IVC Evidensia Academy, Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia, research funding opportunities, infection prevention and control programme, quality improvement programme
• Professional Memberships: VDS cover and RCVS fees paid
• Additional Perks: Pawsome Benefits (discounts and cashback with 100+ retailers), 5% employee/3% employer pension contribution, discounted staff pet care

About the Practice

Abivale Veterinary Group is a well-established practice in Abingdon, South Oxfordshire, operating 24/7, 365 days a year. The facility is fully equipped for advanced diagnostics, surgery, and inpatient care, ensuring staff have everything needed to deliver exceptional emergency treatment. The practice treats dogs, cats, small pets, and is both exotic-friendly and rabbit-friendly. The team is known for its collaborative culture where every member’s skills and contributions are valued, with strong working relationships between night and day teams.

Abivale is part of IVC Evidensia, a commitment to diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging runs through the organisation, and as a Disability Confident Employer, they actively welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions, with reasonable adjustments discussed during recruitment.