Night Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This is a permanent night position within a newly formed, dedicated team of three RVNs at an independent small animal practice in rural Suffolk. You’ll work two nights per week on a consistent, predictable rota—either 12 or 14-hour shifts—with Saturday nights shared on a 1:3 basis. Unlike many night roles, you’ll be part of a well-structured, clinically led nursing department that prioritises continuity of care through detailed handovers with early shifts (starting 7:30 am) and late shifts (until 10 pm).

Set in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, Debenham Vets combines first-opinion small animal care with an integrated referral service—all under one roof. You’ll support a varied and interesting caseload ranging from stable inpatients to complex surgical and referral cases, working closely alongside an experienced on-call veterinary team with clear communication channels and strong collaborative protocols.

This is a role designed with work-life balance in mind: a set working pattern that allows forward planning, the option of job share, and annualised hours with collaborative cover arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide skilled ECC and inpatient nursing care across a varied small animal caseload, including emergency, referral, and routine cases
• Monitor and coordinate patient care throughout the night shift, playing a central role in clinical decision-making and handovers
• Support surgical nursing, imaging, laboratory work, and pharmacy operations as part of the wider practice workflow
• Maintain clear communication with the on-call veterinary team and day nursing staff, ensuring continuity of care through structured handovers
• Contribute to the practice’s collaborative culture by participating in case discussions and weekly team meetings
• Support the development and maintenance of clinical protocols for night-time operations

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Experience in emergency and critical care nursing (or a strong interest in developing ECC skills with support)
• Confidence working as part of a small night team with strong clinical autonomy, backed by experienced colleagues
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Commitment to continuous professional development and evidence-based nursing practice

Benefits

• Salary: £19 per hour (equivalent to approx. £27,500 – £30,500 per annum)
• Work pattern: Two nights per week, 12 or 14-hour shifts, with a consistent, predictable rota and Saturday nights on shared 1:3 rotation
• Flexibility: Annualised hours with collaborative cover arrangements; job share requests considered
• Professional support: RCVS and VDS fees paid
• CPD: Actively encouraged and fully funded, plus regular in-house CPD sessions held in the dedicated function room
• Pension: Company pension scheme
• Relocation: Short-term on-site accommodation available to support relocation
• Team culture: Strong social side including informal get-togethers, practice events, and team challenges

About the Practice

Debenham Veterinary Practice is an independent, privately owned small animal practice purpose-built with both people and patients in mind. The practice combines first-opinion care with integrated referral services including ophthalmology, small animal surgery, laparoscopic spays, outpatient CT imaging, radioactive iodine treatment, and dermatology. On-site emergency and critical care is available, ensuring comprehensive care under one roof.

The clinical team includes six first-opinion vets with diverse interests and qualifications spanning imaging, emergency medicine, neurology, cardiology, and feline medicine. The nursing team is large, highly skilled, and structured, with multiple Senior RVNs leading key clinical areas including anaesthesia, imaging, wards, pharmacy, surgical referrals, and theatre work. Many nurses hold additional qualifications in ECC, feline nursing, anaesthesia, behaviour, and imaging, alongside postgraduate study such as a Master’s in Anaesthesia. The practice is actively engaged in CPD, quality improvement, and clinical progression, with team contributions published in Inspired Veterinary Magazine and Vet Times. Weekly practice meetings bring the whole team together, and initiatives like the Above & Beyond Award celebrate individual contributions. The culture is collaborative, supportive, and clinically led—a genuine investment in people and their development.