At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted to care for over 2 million animals, delivering on our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, team-orientated Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our team at Shield Vets on a full-time basis.
Shield Vets is a well-established veterinary group in Southampton. Our 2 sites are based 10–15 minutes apart, with staff working across both sites. Located on the South Coast, we have easy access to the New Forest and excellent transport links to London.
We have a team of eight RVNs across our two practices, working a mix of full- and part-time roles, alongside one SVN. Our nursing and vet teams offer a broad range of experience, from new graduates to professionals with over 30 years in practice, supported by a dedicated reception team.
Our facilities include digital X-ray, ultrasound, dental X-ray, an in-house lab, and microscopy.
We are working towards becoming a Cat Friendly Clinic and are keen to hear from those who enjoy nurse consults and building strong client relationships.
As a Registered Veterinary Nurse, you will be an integral member of the clinical team, delivering high-quality nursing care to patients while supporting excellent client experiences.
You’ll work collaboratively with veterinary surgeons and the wider practice team, taking responsibility for the nursing care of a range of first opinion cases, contributing to clinical standards, and supporting the ongoing development of patient care within the practice.
Working Pattern
- 4.5 days per week, Monday to Friday
- Shifts between 8:00am and 7:00pm
- Fixed morning off each week (8:00am – 1:00pm)
- 1 in 4 Saturdays, 8:00am – 12:00pm
General Responsibilities
- Assisting with surgical procedures and theatre support
- Supporting inpatient care and patient recovery
- Carrying out kennel and ward duties
- Running nurse consultations
We’re looking for a confident and motivated Registered Veterinary Nurse who enjoys working as part of a team and delivering high standards of care. You’ll bring:
- Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
- Experience working in clinical practice, with growing confidence in medical and surgical nursing
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with clients and colleagues
- Good organisational skills and the ability to manage workload effectively
- A proactive approach to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement
We pride ourselves on being a practice dedicated to learning, so this role would suit an experienced nurse who is interested in supporting student nurses.
At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
- A varied and rewarding nursing role within a supportive primary care environment
- Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into Senior Nurse, Referral, or leadership roles, as well as clinical supervisor, mentor and certificate-holder pathways
- Ongoing learning and development supported by experienced colleagues and practice teams
- A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement
- 6.6 weeks' annual leave plus your birthday off
- Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
- Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay
- Private Medical Insurance
- Employee wellbeing initiatives including Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
- £550 CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid CPD leave
- RCVS and VDS fees covered
- Discounted veterinary care
- Voluntary benefits including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to discounts and cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.
Up to £32,000 DOE
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
