Registered Veterinary Nurse - Equine

About the Role

Donnington Grove is a large equine hospital and ambulatory practice in Newbury, combining first opinion, referral and emergency services with a reputation for clinical excellence. You'll be joining a team-focused nursing department with nurses at all levels, from pre-trainees through fully qualified RVNs, alongside dedicated yard and theatre support staff.

This full-time role operates on a rolling rota averaging 39 hours per week, with 8.5-hour shifts scheduled between 6am and 8pm (including an unpaid hour lunch), plus participation in night and weekend rotas with time off in lieu to protect your weekly average.

Key Responsibilities

• Performing Schedule 3 nursing procedures: stomach tubing, IV and IM injections, and catheter placement
• Monitoring and caring for inpatients with regular observations and checks
• Conducting colic assessments and supporting case management, including patient discharge
• Administering medications and managing fluid therapy, including IV fluid setup
• Providing foal care, including drug administration and oral fluids
• Managing isolation cases and maintaining infection control protocols
• Theatre support: circulating nurse duties and surgical scrubbing
• Performing bandage changes and wound care
• Assisting with diagnostic imaging during in-practice and ambulatory visits
• Laboratory work including sample processing and faecal testing
• Milking mares as required

Requirements

• RCVS registration as a Veterinary Nurse
• Clinical practice experience with growing confidence in medical and surgical nursing
• Strong communication skills and ability to build positive relationships with clients and colleagues
• Good organisational skills and effective workload management
• Proactive approach to learning, reflection and continuous improvement
• Essential: Horse handling experience
• Preferred: Knowledge of foals and racehorses
• Desirable: Interest in becoming a clinical coach

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £30,743 depending on experience
• 6.6 weeks' annual leave plus your birthday off
• Increasing holiday allowance with length of service
• Enhanced family-friendly policies: maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Private Medical Insurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
• £550 CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid leave
• Certificate support
• RCVS and VDS fees covered
• Pension scheme
• Discounted veterinary care
• Voluntary benefits: Green Cars salary sacrifice and access to discounts and cashback with participating retailers
• Clear career pathways into Senior Nurse, Referral, leadership and clinical supervisor roles

About the Practice

Donnington Grove Veterinary Group is a multi-disciplinary practice based in Newbury, serving the borders of Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. The practice operates dedicated equine, farm and small animal departments, with the equine hospital featuring a full surgical suite, advanced diagnostic imaging, CT, endoscopy, on-site laboratory, and intensive care and isolation wards.

Part of inspiring vet care, the UK's number one vet care provider trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, the practice combines clinical excellence with a supportive culture focused on team development and continuous improvement.