Registered Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

VC Evidensia UK; Normanton on Trent; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary hospital is seeking a Registered Veterinary Nurse to join their dynamic and supportive team in Normanton on Trent. This role offers a variety of tasks, including patient care, hands-on surgical support, and opportunities for professional development. The position promotes a healthy work-life balance with no night shifts and a flexible rota, alongside competitive benefits such as private medical insurance and a CPD allowance.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

£550 CPD allowance

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Nurse qualification required.
• Experience or willingness to develop veterinary skills.
• Ability to work in a dynamic team environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent patient care and support the veterinary team.
• Engage in triaging, imaging, and minor surgeries.
• Participate in routine nursing duties and patient management.

Skills

Proactive

Passionate about veterinary care

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse qualification

Job description

Registered Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

Looking for a modern, advanced small animal hospital that puts patient care and team development at the heart of everything?

At Castle Vets, we combine over 100 years of veterinary excellence with cutting-edge facilities, innovation, and a forward-thinking team.

About the team

We’re a friendly, supportive team in a large RCVS-accredited hospital with Gold Cat Friendly and Silver Rabbit Friendly status. Our facilities include a separate cat-only area and exotics ward, and we offer a varied caseload that keeps every day interesting.

Our team includes 9 vets—from new grads to highly experienced clinicians—and 12 qualified nurses supported by 4 student nurses and 4 ANAs, allowing our RVNs to focus on clinical work. We have certificate holders in Ophthalmology, Pain Management, Endoscopy, and Zoological Medicine, plus visiting specialists in Orthopaedics, Neurology, Soft Tissue, and Diagnostic Imaging.

We’re a Vets Now host practice, so there are no out-of-hours or bank holiday shifts. This means better work-life balance and only one scheduled overtime shift every other week.

We encourage team members to grow, take on leadership or mentoring roles, and contribute to developing our protocols and practice.

Our facilities

Enjoy access to CT imaging, a dental suite with x-ray, video endoscopy, and certificate holders in Ophthalmology and Imaging. One day each week, we welcome an ECVS specialist who manages our orthopaedic, soft tissue, and neurology cases. On another day, an ECC imaging certificate holder from our local referral centre joins us to lead imaging and more complex scans, as well as provide hands-on imaging training—particularly in ultrasound—for our nursing team.

Our nursing team rotates through different roles, giving you time to focus on what you enjoy—be it kennels, theatre, or nurse-led clinics. Get hands-on with triaging, imaging, and Schedule 3 responsibilities including minor surgeries, stitch-ups, and dental procedures.

What we are looking for

We’re seeking a proactive, passionate RVN who enjoys working in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment. If you value excellent patient care and want to develop your skills in a supportive setting, you’ll thrive here.

Working hours/rota

This role involves working 40 hours per week, including 1:3 Saturdays from 8am to 1pm, with weekday shifts between 8am and 7pm. We offer a rota designed to support a healthy work-life balance, with no night shifts or bank holiday work.

Choose from flexible hours, part-time options, or a fixed rota to suit your lifestyle.

What’s next?

Ready to take the next step in your career? Join our progressive, friendly team at Castle Vets and grow with us—professionally and personally.

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from -

Work-life balance

• 6.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing

Development

• £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave pro rata
• Certificate support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Access to Vetlexicon – our online encyclopaedia provider
• All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
• Infection Prevention and Control Programme
• Quality Improvement Programme

Professional Memberships

• VDS cover
• RCVS fees
• Company pension scheme. IVC Evidensia will make a contribution as well
• Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria
• Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you
• Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
• Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice

Castle Vets Pet Healthcare Centre, Reading

At IVC Evidensia we are a committed to Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging, we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.

Any questions before applying?

Speak to Lovell Varcoe from our recruitment team who would be happy to help you with any questions you have before applying for this role.