Rotational Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This full-time permanent position offers a genuinely different nursing experience. You’ll work a standard Monday–Friday schedule with shifts between 7:30am and 8:30pm, plus weekend duties once every six weeks—meaning you get most weekends to yourself. The rotation model is the heart of this role: you’ll move through different hospital departments (five wards, diagnostics, and theatres), applying your RVN skills across multiple specialisms and building a broad, impressive portfolio of experience.

You’ll be part of an exceptionally large, multi-disciplinary team of fellow RVNs, clinicians, residents, interns, and nursing assistants. This isn’t a quiet practice—expect high volume, varied caseloads, and the buzz of a referral centre where you’ll see complex cases from surgery, internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, and anaesthesia. The practice has a dedicated night nursing team, so you’ll never be expected to work regular night shifts. Even if referral nursing is new to you, a comprehensive induction programme ensures you’ll be fully supported.

Key Responsibilities

• Rotate through different departments (wards, diagnostics, theatre) to develop skills across multiple specialisms
• Deliver high-standard nursing care for a large, varied specialist caseload
• Work within Nursing Pathways—an innovative career structure that prioritises your individual progression and skill development
• Collaborate with 60+ RVNs, 32 recognised specialists, clinicians, residents, and interns across the multi-disciplinary team
• Apply nursing expertise in fast-paced, complex environments with attention to detail and accuracy
• Contribute to a caring, compassionate environment that maintains RCVS accreditation standards

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) qualification with minimum 1 year post-qualification experience
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with high accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong commitment to providing high standards of service and patient care
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Professional and caring approach in all work situations
• Right to Work in the UK (evidence required)
• Referral experience is not essential—full training provided

Benefits

• Time off: 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays plus birthday leave
• Professional development: RCVS and VDS fees paid; external CPD fully funded; extensive free online Linnaeus CPD programmes; career progression and additional qualifications supported
• Pay & perks: Staff discount schemes; recruitment referral reward scheme
• Health & wellbeing: Enhanced sickness pay; enhanced equal family leave; wellness programme including employee assistance programme, eyecare voucher scheme, free annual flu jab, cycle to work scheme, childcare vouchers
• Culture: Regular CPD and learning opportunities; monthly team meetings and communication; social team culture with events including Christmas party; Mental Health First Aiders and confidential Employee Assistance Programme available

About the Practice

North Downs Specialist Referrals is an internationally acknowledged referral centre of excellence located in Bletchingley, Surrey. The practice is RCVS accredited and home to one of the largest groups of veterinary specialists in the UK and Europe: 32 recognised specialists across surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, oncology, neurology, cardiology, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, and anaesthesia. The team of over 60 RVNs works across a dedicated, well-equipped facility designed to deliver the highest standards of medical and surgical care within a caring environment.

The practice is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health—the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, Linnaeus is driven by its purpose: to create a better world. The group supports over 6,000 associates across a global network and prioritises physical and mental health, professional development, and inclusive, authentic workplace culture.