Work Experience
The Willows Veterinary Group is RCVS accredited and a registered Training Practice, we work with the Veterinary Universities to provide Extra Mural Studies and vacation work experience for undergraduates. We offer placements for all levels of Veterinary Students from all 25 small animal practices, our Farm practice and Equine centres.
Veterinary Students
All students are supervised by our experienced Veterinary Surgeons and Nurses, we aim to provide a supportive and wide variety of experience from observation and involvement in clinical work, clinical discussions and assisting with surgical procedures (as appropriate for your year of study).
If you would like to be considered for a placement at the Willows Veterinary Group, please forward your details to Louise White at projects@willowsvetgroup.co.uk, include details of any particular areas of interest and any EMS placements to date.
All students are supervised by our experienced Veterinary Surgeons and Nurses, we aim to provide a supportive and wide variety of experience from observation and involvement in clinical work, clinical discussions and assisting with surgical procedures (as appropriate for your year of study).
If you would like to be considered for a placement at the Willows Veterinary Group, please forward your details to Louise White at projects@willowsvetgroup.co.uk, include details of any particular areas of interest and any EMS placements to date.
Veterinary Nursing
If you are seeking a Work Placement or Work Experience, please contact your local surgery. Further details of all our surgeries can be found here.
The Willows Veterinary Group includes a variety of Training Practices (TPs) and auxiliary Training Practices (aTPs) and works with the local Colleges and universities to provide placements for their students. We offer placements at all 20 small animal TP / aTPs and our Equine centre. We support both further and higher education students.
Routes into Veterinary Nursing are detailed below:
If you are seeking a Work Placement or Work Experience, please contact your local surgery. Further details of all our surgeries can be found here.
The Willows Veterinary Group includes a variety of Training Practices (TPs) and auxiliary Training Practices (aTPs) and works with the local Colleges and universities to provide placements for their students. We offer placements at all 20 small animal TP / aTPs and our Equine centre. We support both further and higher education students.
Routes into Veterinary Nursing are detailed below:
Student Veterinary Nursing Roles
All students are supervised by our Vets, Registered Nurses and are supported with a Clinical Coach. We offer a full variety of experiences that can result in full coverage and achievement of the RCVS day one skills. These include Health, Safety and Legislation affecting practice, communication, handling and restraint, nursing care, laboratory techniques, diagnostic imaging, dispensing and pharmacy, infection control, theatre practice and anaesthesia.
Students are generally expected to work full-time hours on a shared rota, this does include weekends and bank holidays and a night rota at some of our practices (where over-night accommodation is provided on-site).
Qualification requirements (License to Practice)
You will ideally have at least 5 GCSEs at grade C (newer grade 4/5) or above, including English, Maths and Science. Colleges do accept equivalents, including the Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants with Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths. In addition, a full UK driving licence is required or the ability to travel to enable attendance at college.
All students are supervised by our Vets, Registered Nurses and are supported with a Clinical Coach. We offer a full variety of experiences that can result in full coverage and achievement of the RCVS day one skills. These include Health, Safety and Legislation affecting practice, communication, handling and restraint, nursing care, laboratory techniques, diagnostic imaging, dispensing and pharmacy, infection control, theatre practice and anaesthesia.
Students are generally expected to work full-time hours on a shared rota, this does include weekends and bank holidays and a night rota at some of our practices (where over-night accommodation is provided on-site).
Qualification requirements (License to Practice)
You will ideally have at least 5 GCSEs at grade C (newer grade 4/5) or above, including English, Maths and Science. Colleges do accept equivalents, including the Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants with Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths. In addition, a full UK driving licence is required or the ability to travel to enable attendance at college.
Level 2 Diploma Veterinary Care Assistant
Level 2 Diploma Veterinary Care Assistant
This is a recognised qualification in its own right and is an introductory level course providing a route to the Licence to Practice in Veterinary Nursing.
If you would like to be considered for a Student Nurse role at the Willows Veterinary Group, please forward your details to Julie-Ann Goryl at recruitment@willowsvetgroup.co.uk.
Due to the demand for places, preference will be given to those candidates with previous experience of working with animals.
Level 2 Diploma Veterinary Care Assistant
This is a recognised qualification in its own right and is an introductory level course providing a route to the Licence to Practice in Veterinary Nursing.
If you would like to be considered for a Student Nurse role at the Willows Veterinary Group, please forward your details to Julie-Ann Goryl at recruitment@willowsvetgroup.co.uk.
Due to the demand for places, preference will be given to those candidates with previous experience of working with animals.
How do I become a Veterinary Nurse?
There are two main routes to becoming a Registered veterinary nurse; vocational training through employment, or via higher education. Students must undertake a minimum of 1800 hours working in a Training practice.
Licence to Practice in Veterinary Nursing
This course can be undertaken whilst being employed at a Training Practice; where your time will be split between learning theory at college (through day release or block release) and gaining practical experience whilst working in practice.
Your clinical ‘Day one skills’ will be taught, developed and assessed in practice. During the theory element you will complete assignments, theory exams, complete an E-Portfolio or ‘Nursing Progress log’ and undertake an end point assessment, which includes a professional discussion and a round of OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations).
Higher Education Training
This route is offered by a number of institutions leading to a Foundation or BSc (Hons) degree in Veterinary Nursing. The degree route includes theory taught at University with practice experience gained during Training Practice placements.
There are two main routes to becoming a Registered veterinary nurse; vocational training through employment, or via higher education. Students must undertake a minimum of 1800 hours working in a Training practice.
Licence to Practice in Veterinary Nursing
This course can be undertaken whilst being employed at a Training Practice; where your time will be split between learning theory at college (through day release or block release) and gaining practical experience whilst working in practice.
Your clinical ‘Day one skills’ will be taught, developed and assessed in practice. During the theory element you will complete assignments, theory exams, complete an E-Portfolio or ‘Nursing Progress log’ and undertake an end point assessment, which includes a professional discussion and a round of OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations).
Higher Education Training
This route is offered by a number of institutions leading to a Foundation or BSc (Hons) degree in Veterinary Nursing. The degree route includes theory taught at University with practice experience gained during Training Practice placements.