Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This is a varied and engaging nursing position encompassing all aspects of veterinary nursing: nurse consults, inpatient care, anaesthesia, theatre work, and supporting veterinary surgeons with a diverse caseload. The practice actively encourages clinical freedom, case continuity, and the development of your own specialist interests, with full team support. You will work within opening hours of 08:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday, with Saturday mornings (08:30 to 12:30) on a 1 in 5 rotation. There is no on-call cover required, as out-of-hours emergencies are managed by Vets Now. Both full-time and part-time applications are welcomed, and flexible rota patterns are available to discuss.

You will be based primarily at the Romsey practice, though occasional cover shifts at the newer Ashurst branch may be required during holiday or sickness absences.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver nursing care across all clinical areas: nurse consults, inpatient monitoring, anaesthetic support, and theatre work
• Support veterinary surgeons with clinical cases and surgical procedures
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives (the practice has recently reduced antibiotic usage and introduced in-house ear cytology)
• Contribute to ongoing team development and learning culture
• Occasionally support the Ashurst branch during periods of staff absence

Requirements

• Full RVN registration with the RCVS
• Passion for providing high-standard veterinary nursing care
• Experience across general small animal nursing disciplines

Benefits

• Competitive base salary up to £30,000 per annum
• 6.6 weeks annual leave, increasing with length of service
• Paid birthday day off each year
• Enhanced family-friendly policies: maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay
• Private medical insurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership and employee wellbeing initiatives
• Non-accidental injury support
• £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid pro rata
• Certificate support for further professional qualifications
• Learning and development via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Access to Vetlexicon online reference library
• Research funding opportunities for vets and nurses
• Infection Prevention and Control Programme
• Quality Improvement Programme
• VDS professional indemnity cover
• RCVS fees covered
• Pawsome Benefits reward gateway with discounts and cashback
• Pension: 5% employee / 3% employer contribution
• Discounted staff pet care

About the Practice

Orchard Veterinary Surgery is an established, family-run small animal practice in Romsey serving the local community for 35 years. The practice has recently expanded with a second branch in Ashurst, reflecting continued growth and success. The team consists of 7 veterinary surgeons, 7 RVNs, 2 SVNs, 1 animal care assistant, and 5 reception and administrative staff, all led by a dedicated practice director.

The practice is well equipped with in-house facilities including dental radiography, laparoscopy, endoscopy, K-Laser, Vetscan Imagyst, and cryotherapy. A local IVC referral centre is available for more complex cases. CPD and ongoing professional development are core values; the nursing team currently includes members undertaking an Emergency Critical Care certificate and an Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Anaesthesia) certificate.