Head Veterinary Nurse

Lloyd & Cowan Veterinary Recruitment; Bristol; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a thriving small animal practice in Bristol as a Head Veterinary Nurse. You will manage a dedicated team, ensuring excellent patient care in a supportive environment. Enjoy a genuine work-life balance, with only one weekend in five and comprehensive perks including paid memberships and generous holidays.

Benefits

Paid memberships (RCVS, VDS)

Generous holiday allowance, increasing with service

CPD actively supported

Pension scheme & life assurance

Employee rewards and retail discounts

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a veterinary nurse and team leader.
• Strong clinical skills in anaesthesia and radiography.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of RVNs and student nurses.
• Oversee daily operations of the veterinary practice.
• Ensure high clinical standards and patient care.

Skills

Leadership

Nursing Skills

Team Management

Anaesthetic Monitoring

Inpatient Care

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)

Job description

Head Veterinary Nurse – Bristol (No OOH, Supportive Leadership, True Work-Life Balance)

Are you a natural leader who thrives in a team-focused environment? This is a fantastic opportunity for a Head Veterinary Nurse to step into a rewarding role with a well-established, small animal practice in Bristol.

The Practice:
This practice stands out for its inclusive and collaborative culture, under the leadership of a supportive owner and experienced Practice Manager.

You'll be joining a tight-knit, positive team who believe in a Just Culture and are passionate about doing things right—for their patients, clients, and each other.

The Role:
As Head RVN, you'll take the lead in managing and developing a team of 3 RVNs, a student nurse, and 2 VCAs. You’ll work closely with the Practice Manager to ensure smooth day-to-day operations while fostering a culture of high clinical standards and continuous improvement.

This is a hands-on leadership role with plenty of opportunity to utilise your nursing skills fully—from anaesthetic monitoring and radiography to nurse consults and inpatient care.

Key Details:

• Full-time preferred (40 hours), but part-time considered (minimum 35 hours)

• Only 1 in 5 weekends

• No OOH, no on-call, no backup rota – genuine work-life balance

The Perks:

• Paid memberships (RCVS, VDS)

• Generous holiday allowance, increasing with service

• CPD actively supported

• Pension scheme & life assurance

• Employee rewards and retail discounts

If you’re ready to take the next step in your nursing career and lead within a progressive, genuinely supportive team – let’s have a chat. Apply today by sending your CV via APPLY.