Veterinary Nurse - Graduate / Junior position

IVC; Kilcoole; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days annual leave

Birthday leave

Cycle to work scheme

EAP and wellbeing centre access

Pension contributions

Job summary

Kilcoole Vets in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow, is offering a graduate/junior veterinary nurse role with a clear path to develop clinical skills in a supportive small animal practice. You’ll work alongside experienced clinicians and receive mentoring as you grow your nursing career.

The position is offered as full-time or part-time, permanent, with a competitive salary and opportunities to learn across a range of clinical duties while maintaining a positive work culture and great team support.

Qualifications

• Graduate or junior veterinary nurse with developing clinical skills.
• Supportive first-opinion practice with learning and development encouraged.
• Confident, proactive and enthusiastic team player.

Responsibilities

• Assist with anaesthesia monitoring and surgical preparation.
• Provide inpatient nursing care and nurse consultations.
• Medication management, patient discharges and follow-up calls.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and infection control.

Skills

Animal handling

Anaesthesia monitoring

Inpatient care

Communication

Teamwork

Education

VCI Registered Veterinary Nurse

Student nurse eligible for registration in 2026

Job description

Veterinary Nurse - Graduate / Junior position

Kilcoole Vets, Co. Wicklow

Full-time or Part-time, Permanent

Salary €32,000

Start Your Nursing Career in a Practice Where You’ll Be Supported to Grow

Kilcoole Vets is excited to welcome applications from Graduate and Junior Veterinary Nurses looking to build their confidence, develop their clinical skills, and become part of a friendly and supportive team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified nurse, or someone in the early stages of their veterinary nursing career, to join a progressive small animal practice where learning and development are genuinely encouraged. You’ll work alongside experienced veterinary surgeons, nurses and support staff who are passionate about delivering exceptional patient care and helping colleagues reach their full potential.

We’re looking for a confident, proactive and enthusiastic Veterinary Nurse who enjoys working as part of a close-knit team and takes pride in providing outstanding care to both patients and clients. If you’re eager to learn, enjoy a varied role and value a positive workplace culture, we’d love to hear from you.

A Varied Role with Plenty of Clinical Exposure

This is a hands-on nursing position offering excellent clinical experience across a broad range of nursing duties.

A significant part of the role involves anaesthesia monitoring and surgical preparation, giving you the opportunity to build confidence in theatre and develop your anaesthesia skills under the guidance of an experienced team. You’ll also be involved in inpatient nursing care, nurse consultations, medication management, patient discharges, post-operative follow-up calls and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and infection control throughout the practice.

As part of our collaborative approach, all team members support one another where needed, so there may also be opportunities to assist with reception duties, cattery responsibilities and day-to-day practice operations. No two days are ever quite the same, making this a rewarding position for someone who enjoys variety and being involved in all aspects of practice life.

A Supportive and Friendly Team

At Kilcoole Vets, we believe great patient care starts with a great team environment.

We are a close-knit practice consisting of three Veterinary Surgeons, two Veterinary Nurses and three dedicated support team members. Everyone works together to create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere where people feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas and developing their skills.

Our team prides itself on maintaining a healthy work-life balance and supporting one another during busy periods. We genuinely value every member of the practice and recognise the important role our nurses play in delivering excellent clinical care.

You’ll be working alongside experienced clinicians, including a Veterinary Surgeon holding a certificate in surgery and another currently undertaking a certificate in medicine, providing excellent opportunities to learn and develop your own clinical interests.

Modern Facilities and High Standards of Care

Kilcoole Vets is a progressive, 100% small animal practice located in the heart of the beautiful seaside village of Kilcoole.

We are proud to be a Silver Accredited Cat Friendly Clinic and place a strong emphasis on providing calm, fear-free experiences for our patients wherever possible. Our purpose-built practice includes a dedicated surgical suite, preparation area, separate dog and cat wards, onsite cattery and comfortable staff facilities, including a team lounge upstairs.

Our facilities include digital radiography, dental radiography, ultrasound, therapeutic laser, in-house haematology and biochemistry analysers, microscopy and multiparameter anaesthetic monitoring equipment, allowing us to provide a high standard of care across all areas of the practice.

We are particularly proud of the strong relationships we have built with our clients and our reputation for delivering personalised, compassionate veterinary care.

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance

We understand that flexibility looks different for everyone and are happy to consider both full-time and part-time applications.

The full-time role is based on 40 hours per week, with working patterns tailored around the needs of both the successful candidate and the practice. This may be worked across four or five days, with shifts scheduled between our opening hours of 8am and 7pm.

For candidates seeking part-time hours, we’d be pleased to discuss a working pattern that suits your circumstances. While weekend participation remains important, we are very open to conversations around flexibility and finding an arrangement that works for everyone.

The role includes a shared 1 in 3 Saturday rota from 9am to 2pm. There are no out-of-hours commitments and no routine Sunday working. On very rare occasions, assistance may be required for the care of a cattery patient outside normal hours, for example administering medication to an inpatient cat. Any such cover would be recognised with time off in lieu.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a VCI Registered Veterinary Nurse, or a student nurse eligible for registration in 2026, who is keen to develop their career within a supportive first-opinion practice.

The ideal candidate will be confident with animal handling, comfortable monitoring anaesthesia, committed to excellent inpatient care and eager to continue developing their clinical skills. Just as importantly, we’re looking for someone who is approachable, proactive, enjoys working collaboratively and communicates well with both clients and colleagues.

Above all, we’re seeking someone who shares our commitment to kindness, teamwork and delivering outstanding patient care.

Living and Working in Kilcoole

Located on the stunning Wicklow coastline, Kilcoole offers the perfect balance of village charm and accessibility. With beautiful beaches, coastal walks and the Wicklow Mountains nearby, it is an ideal location for anyone seeking an excellent quality of life.

The practice is conveniently located within walking distance of local amenities, bus routes and DART services, making commuting straightforward from both Wicklow and Dublin. Ample onsite parking is also available for staff.

What We Offer

In addition to a competitive salary from €32,000, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, professional development and long-term career growth.

We are passionate about investing in our people and providing opportunities to help our nurses thrive throughout their careers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to build on your existing experience, you’ll have access to learning, mentoring and development opportunities to help you achieve your goals.

Benefits (subject to pro-rata)

Work life balance

• Minimum of 22 days annual leave
• Birthday leave

Focus on employee wellbeing

• Paid Maternity, Paternity and Adoptive leave packages
• Cycle to work scheme
• EAP and wellbeing centre access
• Paid bereavement leave
• Company sick pay

Development

• €600 annual CPD allowance with 3 days paid (pro-rata)
• Bespoke Graduate Nurse Academy, Nurse Evolve and many more in-house academies
• Leadership Academy for all future leaders, including Head Nurses and Practice Managers
• Career progression opportunities

Professional memberships

• VCI membership paid
• VDS cover paid

Additional benefits

• Annual pay reviews
• Pawesome benefits – various discounts including retails and virtual gym
• Employee pension contributions
• Discounted staff pet veterinary fees
• Free flu jabs
• Opportunity to join company programmes (LGBTQIA+, Wellbeing Champions, Clinical Board and many more)

Join Our Team

If you’re looking for your first Veterinary Nurse position or are ready for the next step in your nursing career, Kilcoole Vets offers the support, encouragement and clinical exposure needed to help you succeed.

Join a welcoming team, develop your skills within a progressive practice, and build a rewarding career where you’ll be valued from day one.

€32,000 - €32,500 a year

€32,000 per annum