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FdSc Veterinary Nursing Science and Registered Veterinary Nurse, PDSA Southampton

I’d studied for the Diploma in Animal Management at Sparsholt so knew all about the facilities and decided to progress on to the Foundation degree in Veterinary Nursing Science.

The range of animals at the Animal Management Centre is great and I also liked the course structure of alternating time at College and on work placements, so practical skills can develop alongside theoretical knowledge. I regularly use a lot of the skills I learnt at Sparsholt and on my placements now.

I found the careers advice from Sparsholt very good, with lecturers who have experience within practice, talks from guest speakers and advice on career progression, CV writing etc. The tutors all offered a lot of support.

I’d definitely recommend making the most of your placements and developing a good relationship with a practice. I came to PDSA on two of my placements and then, when someone left, I applied for the vacancy and got the job as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. It’s a really busy charity, with three Assistants, sixRegistered Veterinary Nurses and a student Apprentice in the team.

My role includes theatre duties such as monitoring anaesthetic and carrying out minor surgery on small animals, as well as consulting on a shift basis. I enjoy the surgical elements as well as the medical side – it makes my days really varied. It’s so busy, so you get more experience and challenges and can develop your skills faster. We also enjoy lots of Continuing Professional Development, and I have been invited back to Sparsholt to talk to first year students about my role.

Find out more about FdSc Veterinary Nursing Science