Night Veterinary Nurse (RVN)

About the Role

Join Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists (SCVS) as a Night Veterinary Nurse, delivering advanced nursing care during out-of-hours shifts. You’ll be part of a dedicated overnight team supporting hospitalised medical and surgical patients across a multi-ward facility. This is collaborative nursing at its best—you’ll work alongside veterinarians, fellow RVNs, and veterinary care assistants, never working alone.

The role is part-time, structured as 4 nights on, 10 nights off (Friday–Monday every other week), averaging 26 hours per week. Night shifts run 19:00–08:00. You’ll care for patients across two dog wards, an ICU/high-dependency unit, and a dedicated cat ward, managing complex inpatient cases with an anaesthesia team on hand 24/7 and specialists on call for each discipline.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver advanced nursing care to hospitalised medical and surgical inpatients across multiple wards
• Support case management of complex referral patients during night shifts
• Work collaboratively with the night clinical team to contribute specialist nursing expertise and inform clinical decision-making
• Monitor and assess patient welfare, ensuring comfort and appropriate care in ICU and general ward environments
• Participate in continuous improvement of clinical standards and share knowledge with colleagues
• Provide compassionate care across SCVS’s dedicated dog wards, cat ward, and ICU/high-dependency facility

Requirements

• Current registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
• Significant experience in clinical practice with demonstrated interest in out-of-hours and ward nursing
• Experience working with complex cases in a referral or advanced-care setting (advantageous)
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams
• Commitment to evidence-based practice, clinical governance, and continuous improvement
• Keen interest in inpatient care and emergency nursing

Benefits

• Annual Leave: 6.8 weeks’ holiday, increasing with length of service
• Learning & Development: £550 CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid leave and certificate support
• Professional Support: RCVS and VDS fees covered
• Health & Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance, Healthcare Cash Plan, Cycle to Work scheme
• Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay
• Pension & Perks: Pension scheme, discounted veterinary care, voluntary benefits including Green Cars salary sacrifice and access to hundreds of retail discounts
• Career Pathways: Clear progression opportunities within referral nursing and leadership roles

Note: Benefits are subject to pro-rata adjustment for part-time employment.

About the Practice

Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists is a specialist-led small animal hospital driven by clinical excellence and patient care. The team comprises recognised specialists across multiple disciplines, supported by an advanced nursing team and dedicated rehabilitation professionals offering physiotherapy and hydrotherapy for post-operative recovery. Recent expansion has delivered a purpose-built theatre complex, 10 new consulting rooms, a new rehabilitation centre, and further facilities including a diagnostic suite and ICU area—reflecting SCVS’s commitment to state-of-the-art care.

SCVS is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals. IVC Evidensia is committed to supporting careers without limits, investing in learning, innovation, and wellbeing so teams grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every stage.