Veterinary Nurse

The veterinary nurse works under the supervision of a veterinarian. They attend to animals and give them medicine according to the veterinarian’s prescription. They also assist veterinarians during operations, and take various laboratory samples.

Job Characteristics

• Getting animals ready for examination or treatment and holding them during treatment, when necessary.



• Assisting in radiography and surgery.



• Obtaining information regarding the animal patients and their state of disease, and keeping a precise record thereof.



• Doing blood transfusions, putting on bandages and administering mouth hygiene or physiotherapy.



• Caring for all animals, from the newborn to the old.



• Determining the diets for all healthy animals.



• Nursing and treating animals with contagious diseases, and taking the necessary precaution to prevent that diseases are transmitted to other animals.



• Preparing animal patients for anesthesia, administering the necessary medication and monitoring the patient while it is anesthised.



• Preparing and collecting different samples for the laboratory.



• Administering treatment as directed by the attending veterinarian.

Requirements

Secondary Education
Possession of a HIGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with matriculation exemption is required to be admitted to a university in South Africa. Candidates are subjected to a selection procedure.
 
Compulsory subjects
Mathematics and Physical Science and/or Biology (South Africa)

Recommended subject
Biology (South Africa)
 
Tertiary Education
The University of Pretoria offers a University Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Dip. Vet. Verpl.) over a period of two years. Registration as veterinary nurse in Namibia is not required, but changes to the regulations may make registration with the Veterinary Council compulsory in due course.

Personality
The prospective candidate must be accurate, practical, well-organized, observant and have a love for animals.

Work Opportunities
Private practitioners and the SPCA employ veterinary nurses. In Namibia, most opportunities are limited to private veterinarians only.

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