Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

Seadown Veterinary Hospital is expanding its nursing team at this well-equipped RCVS-accredited facility in Hythe, perfectly positioned for commuters from Southampton, New Milton, Christchurch, and surrounding areas. You’ll be joining a large, experienced and friendly team in a practice that actively champions flexible working arrangements—your Head Nurses are genuinely open to discussing hours that suit your life.

This is a small animal and equine practice offering first opinion care plus referral services in ophthalmology and orthopaedics. The hospital boasts impressive facilities including DR and dental X-ray, ultrasounds, therapeutic laser, ventilator, endoscopic and laparoscopic equipment, multi-parameter monitors, and an in-house laboratory. The practice runs its own 24/7 out-of-hours service for its clients, and you’ll have the opportunity to shape your own career interests—whether that’s emergency and critical care, theatre work, running nurse clinics, Schedule 3 procedures, or inpatient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality nursing care to a diverse range of small animal and equine patients
• Lead and deliver veterinary nurse clinics
• Prepare for and assist surgical procedures across both disciplines
• Collaborate with an experienced nursing team and certificate holders
• Support the practice’s own out-of-hours emergency service as part of the wider team

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Passion for small animal and/or equine nursing
• Willingness to work flexibly—full-time or part-time arrangements considered
• Collaborative approach to working within a supportive team environment

Benefits

• Salary from £27,000 FTE (depending on experience)
• Up to 5.5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays
• Buy/Sell Annual Leave Scheme—purchase up to 4 additional weeks
• Extra day’s leave each year during your first 5 years at CVS
• RCVS fees fully paid
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Fully encouraged and funded CPD opportunities
• Company pension scheme
• Flexible working arrangements

About the Practice

Seadown Veterinary Hospital is an RCVS-accredited small animal hospital and equine clinic operating on the edge of the New Forest National Park. The practice is part of CVS Group, one of the UK’s largest veterinary healthcare providers. The team is sizeable, experienced, and genuinely committed to supporting colleague development—the practice recently launched the CVS Nursing Career Pathway to demonstrate clear progression opportunities across first opinion, referral, and equine practices.

The hospital provides comprehensive small animal and equine first opinion services alongside specialist referral work in ophthalmology and orthopaedics. With state-of-the-art equipment and an in-house laboratory, the practice is well-positioned to offer diverse clinical experiences. The practice operates its own 24/7 emergency out-of-hours service for its established client base.