Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

City Vets is seeking an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse to join its busy multi-site hospital in Exeter. You’ll be part of a large, collaborative nursing team of around 20 professionals working in a forward-thinking environment where clinical excellence and teamwork go hand in hand. The role combines inpatient care, surgical support, and varied caseload work across the main hospital and occasional branch support, giving you the breadth of experience that makes nursing truly rewarding.

Working hours are 40 per week, typically 8:00-18:00 over 4 days (with occasional 9:00-19:00). With flexible rota options—choose between four longer days or a five-day week—this permanent position offers a manageable on-call commitment of approximately one shift per month (13 nights and 4 weekends annually). The practice is pet-friendly, and accommodation is available for overnight shifts.

City Vets operates state-of-the-art facilities including CT imaging, endoscopy, and a full in-house laboratory, meaning you’ll work with advanced equipment and develop your skills alongside a dedicated team delivering outstanding small animal and exotic care.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver excellent clinical nursing care across inpatient, surgical, and consultation areas
• Confidently monitor and manage anaesthesia during a variety of procedures
• Rotate between the main hospital and branches as needed to support the wider team
• Work alongside veterinary surgeons and fellow nurses to maintain high standards of patient care
• Support stock control, laboratory sample processing, and clinical standards
• Participate in the on-call rota (approximately one shift per month)
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative nursing culture that values proactive patient care

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Strong clinical nursing experience, particularly in inpatient and surgical settings
• Competence in anaesthesia monitoring and support
• Ability to work flexibly within a rota system and multi-site environment
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills
• A genuine passion for hands-on nursing and patient care

Benefits

• Salary: £35,000 depending on experience
• Leave: 5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• Professional Development: £500 annual CPD budget plus CPD days; funded external training and access to Linnaeus online CPD platform
• Study Support: Full backing for certificate study (imaging, surgery, or exotics)
• Registration & Fees: RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Pension: Employer contribution pension scheme
• Health & Wellbeing: Life assurance, enhanced sickness pay, employee assistance programme (EAP), free annual flu vaccination, Mental Health First Aider support
• Lifestyle: Staff discount schemes on veterinary services and products, cycle-to-work scheme, eyecare vouchers, e-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Career Progression: Clear pathways to lead or senior nurse roles within City Vets or across the wider Linnaeus Group; internal promotion opportunities; structured nursing career framework
• Family Benefits: Enhanced equal family leave
• Referral Rewards: Recruitment referral scheme
• Workplace Culture: Pet-friendly workplace; accommodation available for night shifts; regular team socials and summer events

About the Practice

City Vets is a multi-site hospital providing outstanding small animal and exotic care in Exeter. The practice is equipped with advanced technology including CT imaging, endoscopy, and a comprehensive in-house laboratory, enabling clinicians to deliver high-level diagnostic and treatment capabilities. The nursing team is the practice’s backbone, and you’ll work in an environment that genuinely values clinical expertise and professional development.

City Vets is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Linnaeus comprises over 6,000 veterinary professionals across the UK and Ireland, united by a commitment to excellence and a shared purpose: ‘A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.’ The group prioritises the physical and mental health of all associates, offering access to a network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities, and a comprehensive wellbeing package designed to support you in delivering exceptional care.