Apprenticeships can help start a career in veterinary nursing, with some colleges requiring internships. Education can take 2-4 years, and finding an internship can be done through volunteer agencies or contacting veterinarians and conservation officers.
If you are interested in a career in veterinary nursing, apprenticeships are one way to help you get started. Some colleges may require you to complete an internship in veterinary nursing and may even help you set one up. If your school doesn’t require it, you may be able to find an apprenticeship voluntarily at a local animal shelter or rescue agency. Talking with licensed veterinarians in your area can be another way to start an apprenticeship program.
The amount of education needed to be a veterinary nurse varies, but can range from two to four years. Toward the end of your program, you can begin looking for a veterinary nursing internship to gain valuable on-the-job training. It may be helpful to talk to a guidance counselor at your school to see if one of these programs is needed before you graduate. They can organize one or provide names of people to contact about this if that’s the case.
If you’re trying to find a veterinary nursing internship on your own, a good place to start might be at a volunteer agency. Many animal shelters cannot afford a full-time veterinary technician, but they openly welcome volunteers. Working at one of these shelters can benefit you in many ways because you will likely be referred by a licensed veterinarian. This position can lead to stable employment as you will be able to connect with other professionals in this line of work.
You can find a veterinary nursing internship by contacting a veterinarian directly. Let her know that you are interested in this type of work and would like to become a member of her team. Leave an up-to-date copy of your resume and follow up with a thank you note after your initial meeting. Even if there are no vacancies at that time, new ones may be made available at any time; therefore, you may want to call back from time to time to stay updated.
Talking to a local conservation officer can also bring you an apprenticeship as a veterinary nurse. This is because she may know about a wildlife rehabilitation center in need of veterinary nurses. These agencies may have regular apprenticeship programs that add additional workers whenever there is an increase in injured animals, such as immediately following a natural disaster.
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