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Student VNs and Animal Nursing Assistants
 We are a training Centre for Veterinary Nurses (VNs) and Animal Nursing Assistants (ANAs) so in addition to our qualified and listed VNs, we employ and are training another 10 or so students who will either stay with us or move on when qualified.
Student VNs
In order to enrol as a student veterinary nurse, an individual must have achieved A, B, or C grades in 5 GCSEs including English, Maths and Science (or other equivalent qualifications). The individual must also have employment at a centre which has been approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to train student nurses. The Veterinary Hospital is a Training Practice (TP) for the Veterinary Nursing scheme, with approval having been granted as we have met the strict requirements for facilities and resources as laid down by the Royal College.
The Veterinary Hospital prioritises the training it  provides to Student Veterinary Nurses and we feel very proud to see our students develop from inexperienced animal lovers to capable and efficient professional Veterinary Nurses. The student nurses rotate through each of the areas of the hospital including, dispensary, laboratory, radiography, theatre, ward, reception and night calls. The Student Veterinary Nurses perform their work under direct supervision by the Veterinary Surgeon or qualified Veterinary Nurse. During their period of training, each student nurse is required to compile a portfolio of over 100 cases of patient care that they have been involved with, and must also pass two sets of rigorous examinations which include written papers and practical vivas. Training as a veterinary nurse takes 2 years of dedication and only students who have achieved the high standards required through this period will successfully qualify.
Animal Nursing Assistants
ANAs receive training both on the job under direct and constant supervision and also formally at college. Their training period lasts one year during which time they work towards the "Animal Nursing Assistant" qualification. To achieve this qualification, ANAs must compile a portfolio of cases they have been involved with as well as pass a rigorous written examination which includes questions on the anatomy, physiology, nutrition, husbandry, handling and nursing of cats and dogs as well as small mammals and exotics species.
As the job title suggests, their role is primarily to provide animal care and their duties are wide ranging including kennel cleaning and disinfection; laundry of bedding; feeding of inpatients under supervision; exercising of inpatients; and daily grooming. ANAs work closely with the inpatients and this provides the opportunity to get to know each of them and their individual characteristics and mannerisms, and to also pick up quickly on any changes in an animal's behaviour. It is vital that such changes are recognised immediately and the veterinary surgeon then notified, as these changes may actually prove to be indications of either an improvement or deterioration in the animal's condition.
We consider it a high priority to ensure that our inpatients are comfortable and clean and that they are given affection and stimulation by our staff-just as you would provide to your pet if he or she were at home. It is primarily our ANAs who will provide this daily stimulation, for example by taking the time to encourage cats to purr and by hand feeding anorexic animals. Depressed animals particularly benefit from this level of stimulation. The interaction that ANAs have with the inpatients means that the animals soon learn to recognise them and then feel at ease in their environment which in turn contributes significantly to their sense of well being whilst hospitalised and ultimately their recovery to full health.
In addition to working in the ward area, our ANAs also assist under supervision in the theatres, dispensary area and on the reception desk. ANAs also work alongside the qualified veterinary nurse and vet on night duties in our provision of 24 hour care to our patients.
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