[andygjones]

Hi, just wondering if anyone works in this field or knows someone who does?Are there any major differences between the UK and NZ in terms of pay/conditions? There is very strong demand in the UK at the moment for nurses- is it the same in NZ? I've heard it can be difficult to find work...

I have the 1st year of the 2 year RCVS qualification so we will be coming over to Auckland in Oct this year as a 'part qualified UK nurse'.

Thanks, Frances:)

[dilanium]

Here's an overview of Veterinary Nursing in NZ: http://www.careers.govt.nz/default.aspx?id0=103&id1=J57134

Here's the NZ veterinary nursing association:
http://www.nzvna.org.nz/

I think as a part qualified Vet nurse you will have a lot of trouble finding work that is beyond just kennel work, so I would recommend either completing your studies in the UK before you come or contacting the schools here and completing it here.

As for the demand- take a look at the NZ career services link above.

Best of luck!

[BkyMonster]

I'm hoping (pending on PR) to enter a Vet nurse program next February or so, so good links.
(At least I'll be able to do something, my current degree/experience while not useless is fairly worthless at the moment :wah, and hey if I can get a job using both all the better.)
I'm still baffled by the difference between certificate, diploma etc that one can get here. I know Massey has the highest ranked program (only accepted in US and longer and more expensive) but not really sure on what level of responsibility each qualification title implies and what type of job responsibilities would result from the assorted types.

[dilanium]

From what I've gathered here:
Assistant < Nurse < Technician (while in the states Nurse=Technician)

Certificate < Diploma < Degree (I think, this could be wrong).

Massey has a good vet tech program, but I think it's only available in Palmy.

Here's Massey's info page on their Vet Nursing Diploma: http://study.massey.ac.nz/massey/study/programme-course-and-paper-search/programme.cfm?prog_id=93039

Here's the link to Massey's institute of veterinary, animal, and biomedical sciences: http://ivabs.massey.ac.nz

If anyone has any questions about being a student at Massey in IVABS feel free to ask.

[dilanium]

A well-trained and qualified veterinary nurse is able expected to perform tasks such as radiography, collection and analysis of routine diagnostic samples, anaesthetic monitoring and other operating theatre duties and provide high quality nursing care to hospitalised patients in areas such as intensive care, post-operative patient management and physical therapy. An increasingly important role for veterinary nurses is in the provision of client services such as helping dog-owners to socialise their puppies and providing information on general care.

An assistant really just does kennel work and animal handling. The lines between these different careers is often very blurry and one job is often called a number of things. I don't believe NZ registers their Vet Nurses or technicians yet, so in theory you can train on the job, but I'm really not sure about that, so I would check with the NZVNA.

They're trying to introduce the technicians- which is/will be a four year degree, but I'm not sure exactly what they'll be allowed to do, or if they have to be registered, or really much of anything else besides the fact that it does/is going to exist.

[andygjones]

Thanks for the info.

Myself and my husband are definately moving to Auckland in October so staying in the UK and completing it is not an option. I have looked into completing the qualification in NZ and it does look like an option if I decide to go that route. I guess i'll wait till I get there and see how prospective employers respond before deciding how I go about it.

Thanks

[dilanium]

You may want to go ahead and contact some of the local vets before then, and make sure you have all of the appropriate paperwork for the local vet nursing schools for transferring in prior to leaving the UK.

:) Best of luck!

If you have any more questions feel free to ask (I used to work as a Vet assistant in the US and I'm now a Vet student at Massey).