Registered Veterinary Nurse - Equine

Donnington Grove Veterinary Group; Newbury; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave and birthday off

Private medical insurance

CPD allowance

RCVS and VDS fees covered

Pension scheme

Discounted veterinary care

Cycle to Work scheme

Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme

Job summary

Donnington Grove Veterinary Group in Newbury is recruiting an Equine Veterinary Nurse to join our large equine hospital and ambulatory practice. You will deliver high-quality nursing care to equine patients, support surgeons, and help maintain clinical standards within a collaborative team.

The role operates on a rolling rota averaging 39 hours per week, with early/late shifts and on-call elements; we offer extensive CPD, career progression, and excellent staff benefits.

Qualifications

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS is essential.
• Experience in clinical practice with nursing and surgical care.
• Strong communication and client relationship skills.
• Good organisational skills and workload management.
• Proactive learning, reflection and continuous improvement.
• Experience with horses/foals is essential or preferred.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality nursing care to equine patients.
• Support veterinary surgeons in routine and emergency cases.
• Perform nursing tasks including mare/foal care and wound management.
• Assist in theatre as circulating nurse and scrubbing.
• Assist with diagnostic imaging and laboratory work.

Skills

RCVS registration

Experience in clinical practice

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

Proactive learning

Horse handling experience

Foals/race horses knowledge

Interest in clinical coaching

Education

Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS

Job description

At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.

Donnington Grove Vets is a large equine hospital and ambulatory practice based in Newbury, providing first opinion, referral and emergency services. Our impressive facilities include a full surgical suite, advanced diagnostic imaging including MRI, CT, bone scan and an on-site laboratory.

With a strong reputation for clinical excellence and specialist-led care, we manage a varied caseload ranging from sports and leisure horses through to racehorses and foals.

Our nursing team is a huge part of what makes the practice special. You’ll work alongside colleagues at a range of experience levels, from pre-trainees through to fully qualified RVNs, as well as dedicated yard and theatre support teams. This structure provides an excellent environment for collaboration, mentoring and continued professional development.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As an Equine Veterinary Nurse, you will be an integral member of the clinical team, delivering high-quality nursing care to patients while supporting excellent client experiences.

You’ll work collaboratively with veterinary surgeons and the wider practice team, taking responsibility for the nursing care of a range of first opinion cases, contributing to clinical standards, and supporting the ongoing development of patient care within the practice.

This role operates on a rolling rota, averaging 39 hours per week, with 8.5-hour shifts scheduled between 6 am and 8 pm, including an hour's unpaid lunch. You’ll also participate in the night and weekend rota with appropriate time off in lieu of the following days to ensure you do not work more than the average 39 hours per week.

General responsibilities include:

• Performing Schedule 3 procedures, including stomach tubing, IV and IM injections, and catheter placement
• Monitoring and caring for inpatients, including regular checks and observations
• Conducting colic assessments and supporting colic case management, including patient discharge
• Administering all medications and managing fluid therapy, including setting up IV fluids
• Providing foal care, including administering drugs and oral fluids
• Milking mares when required
• Managing isolation cases and maintaining appropriate infection control
• Assisting in theatre as a circulating nurse and scrubbing in for surgical procedures
• Carrying out bandage changes and wound care
• Assisting with diagnostic imaging both in practice and occasionally on ambulatory visits
• Occasional laboratory work, including running samples and faecal testing

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

We’re looking for a confident and motivated Registered Veterinary Nurse who enjoys working as part of a team and delivering high standards of care. You’ll bring:

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
• Experience working in clinical practice, with growing confidence in medical and surgical nursing
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with clients and colleagues
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage workload effectively
• A proactive approach to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement
• Horse handling experience is essential
• Some knowledge around foals/race horses would be preferred
• An interest in becoming a clinical coach (not essential but something our practice is passionate about)

How We’ll Support You

At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

• A varied and rewarding nursing role within a supportive primary care environment
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into Senior Nurse, Referral, or leadership roles as well as clinical supervisors, mentors and certificate holders.
• Ongoing learning and development supported by experienced colleagues and practice teams
• A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.6 weeks' annual leave plus your birthday off
• Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee wellbeing initiatives including - Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
• £550 CPD allowance plus 24hrs paid leave
• Certificate support
• RCVS and VDS fees covered
• Pension scheme
• Discounted veterinary care
• Voluntary benefits: choose from a range of benefits to suit you - including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers

We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.

Up to £30,743 DOE