Equine Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

Sussex Equine Hospital is seeking an enthusiastic Equine Veterinary Nurse to join its clinical team on a part-time basis. You’ll be an integral member of a highly skilled and supportive nursing team, delivering high-quality care to a diverse range of equine patients—from elite sport horses and racehorses to children’s ponies, plus referrals from across the country.

Your working pattern will typically include three late shifts per week (11 am to 8 pm) on a rota basis, with participation in the weeknight and weekend on-call rota approximately one week in four; time off in lieu is provided for on-call duties. You’ll work alongside four dedicated day nurses, a night nurse, and two student nurses, creating an environment rich with learning and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality inpatient nursing care, including safe animal handling within specialist units
• Maintain all medical records to a professional, accurate, and compliant standard
• Work collaboratively with 25 veterinary surgeons (including four equine surgery specialists and two internal medicine specialists) and multidisciplinary teams
• Support advanced diagnostic imaging procedures, including MRI and CT scanning
• Assist with diagnostic techniques such as ultrasonography and gamma scintigraphy
• Provide comprehensive patient preparation, monitoring, and post-operative aftercare
• Assist clinicians during a variety of surgical procedures involving both standing and anaesthetised patients
• Contribute to ongoing development of patient care standards within the practice

Requirements

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
• Experience working in clinical practice with developing 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
• Practical experience in equine caseloads is ideal; newly qualified nurses with equine career aspirations are welcome to apply

Benefits

• 6.6 weeks’ annual leave plus your birthday off
• Increasing holiday allowance based on 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 per year
• Certificate support for professional qualifications
• RCVS and VDS fees covered
• Pension scheme
• Discounted veterinary care
• Voluntary benefits: Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to hundreds of retail discounts and cashback offers
• Clear career pathways into Senior Nurse, Referral, or leadership roles, as well as clinical supervisors, mentors, and certificate holders

About the Practice

Sussex Equine Hospital was founded in 1951 (formerly Arundel Equine Hospital) and relocated to its current purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility in Ashington in July 2017. The hospital comprises 25 veterinary surgeons with diverse equine specialisms, supported by a large team of nurses, grooms, and office staff. Its advanced on-site laboratory services and BEVA-approved artificial insemination and stud facilities enable exceptional standards of equine veterinary care. The practice serves ambulatory clients across East and West Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire, and accepts referrals from across the UK, caring for all types of equine patients.

Sussex Equine Hospital 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 through investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing, creating environments where teams can grow in confidence and fulfilment at every career stage.