Veterinary Nurse - Emergency and Critical Care

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 days additional leave via university

Discounts at local retailers

Massey Recreation Centre/Gym discounts

CPD funding access

RECOVER BLS and ALS enrolment

Job summary

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa is seeking a Veterinary Nurse for Massey Vets on the Manawatu campus, Palmerston North. This full-time (0.91 FTE), permanent role supports the ECC team, delivering high-quality nursing care to critically ill patients and assisting with triage.

Join a 24/7 roster with day, evening and night shifts; 6 days on, 4 days off. 15% additional pay for 24/7 shifts, mentorship, and access to advanced imaging and an in-house ECC/ICU.

Qualifications

• Diploma of Veterinary Nursing or Bachelor of Veterinary Technology/Nursing (or equivalent).
• At least 1 year in companion animal practice (new DVN/BVN graduates considered).
• Confidence with patient monitoring, medication dose and fluid calculations, and anaesthetic recovery.
• Professional, empathetic approach to clients and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Delivering gold-standard nursing care to critically ill patients.
• Handling, medicating, and monitoring patients with confidence and compassion.
• Preparing patients and assisting with diagnostics.
• Ensuring patient comfort, hygiene, nutrition, and wellbeing.
• Communicating discharge instructions clearly and empathetically to clients.
• Maintaining high standards of hospital hygiene, equipment care, and stock management.
• Assisting across departments as needed.
• Helping teach and support Veterinary students.

Job description

Massey Vets - New Zealand's Only Veterinary Teaching Hospital! Veterinary Nurse's to join our supportive team at Massey Vets on the Manawatu campus, Palmerston North. This is a full-time (0.91 FTE), permanent position.

Mo tenei turanga mahi | About the role:

No two days are the same, delivering high-quality nursing care within the ECC, supporting clinicians and caring for critically ill patients. Responding to emergencies and triage is a key element of this role.

This position is 0.91 FTE (average of 34.3hours/week), includes day, evening, and night shifts: the roster is modelled on human nursing and consists of 6 days on, 4 days off. Working the 24/7 roster qualifies the nurses for an additional 15% bonus to their salary.

This role includes:

• Delivering gold-standard nursing care to critically ill patients.
• Handling, medicating, and monitoring patients with confidence and compassion
• Preparing patients and assisting with diagnostics
• Ensuring patient comfort, hygiene, nutrition, and wellbeing
• Communicating discharge instructions clearly and empathetically to clients
• Maintaining high standards of hospital hygiene, equipment care, and stock management
• Assisting across departments as needed
• Helping teach and support Veterinary students.

Mou | About you:

You’ll be a team player with strong clinical skills, great communication, and a calm approach under pressure.

You will also have:

• A Diploma of Veterinary Nursing or Bachelor of Veterinary Technology/Nursing (or equivalent)
• At least 1 year in companion animal practice (new DVN/BVN graduates considered)
• Confidence with patient monitoring, medication dose and fluid calculations, and anaesthetic recovery
• A professional, empathetic approach to clients and colleagues

Ko nga hua o te turanga? | What's in it for you?

• Structured 2-week induction to get you confidently up to speed.
• Mentorship and support from skilled nurses - we actively teach, not just supervise.
• Access to awesome facilities including advanced imaging (CT, fluoroscopy, ultrasound) a dedicated 24/7 ECC/ICU department, exceptional theatre and sterile supply departments, inhouse diagnostics and rehab unit.
• Hands-on experience with advanced diagnostics and critical care skills
• We offer regular in-house tutorials, and excellent professional development opportunities. All nurses receive RECOVER BLS and ALS enrolment, Vet Education webinar membership, and NZVNA and AVPRC membership, alongside access to CPD funding to use in areas of interest to you.
• Earn an extra 15% on top of your base pay for 24/7 shifts.
• Additional benefits of being a Massey staff member including 5 days additional leave through university holidays (this is on top of your standard 4 weeks annual leave!), discounts at leading local retailers, reduced membership fees at the Massey Recreation Centre and Gym, access to EAP and much more! Check them all out here: https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/jobs-at-massey/benefits-at-massey/
• The opportunity to make a real impact on patient care while contributing to the education of the next generation of veterinarians.

Why Join Us?

At Massey Vets, we’re more than a workplace - we’re a community. We’re passionate about delivering exceptional care to our patients while making sure our people feel supported and valued every step of the way. Here, teamwork isn’t just a word - it’s how we thrive. Respect and excellence guide everything we do and no two days are ever the same, keeping things exciting and rewarding. If you love veterinary care and want to be a part of a team that celebrates the special moments we share with our patients, you’ll fit right in!

The salary for this position will depend on skills and experience but will be in the range of Grade 4 ($51,554 - $75,351).

Your next adventure in nursing starts here - we want you on our team.

Further enquiries should be directed to [e-mail].

Desired Skills and Experience

• VeterinaryNursing
• EmergencyCare
• CriticalCare
• IntensiveCare
• CompanionAnimals
• HospitalCare
• PatientCare
• PatientMonitoring
• ClientCare
• DischargePlanning
• FluidTherapy
• MedicationAdministration
• DiagnosticImaging
• LaboratoryTesting
• SurgicalSupport
• AnaestheticMonitoring
• CriticalPatients
• CaseManagement
• InfectionControl
• StockManagement
• StudentSupport
• ClinicalTeaching
• ShiftWork
• Healthcare
• VeterinaryMedicine