Veterinary nurse

By PHOEBE FALCONER

Who: Gail Armitage

Position: Veterinary nurse

Employer: Animalz, Auckland

Qualifications: Diploma in animal science

Q. What do you do?

A. There are three nurses in this clinic, and we all do a bit of everything. My primary job is as a surgical nurse, assisting the vet with operations. We do about four animals a day, mostly neutering and speying. I also help with post-operative care of the animals, checking on them during the day and first thing in the morning if they have stayed overnight. I advise customers on feeding and care of their pets, and help care for the animals boarding with us.

Q. What qualifications do you need?

A. Most polytechs offer courses in vet nursing. You can do a one-year full-time certificate in veterinary nursing, followed by a diploma in veterinary nursing, either full-time or part-time depending on where you are.

When I trained, in the early 1990s, these courses hadn't been started, so I have an animal science qualification. That covered both veterinary nursing and zoo nursing.

Q. Why did you choose this career?

A. Because I love animals. I have travelled extensively to watch animals in their own environment, and this seemed a good way to have lots of contact with animals, and with people.

Q. What sort of person do you need to be?

A. Well, you have to be able to stand the sight of blood. You also need to be physically strong, because some of the dogs are really heavy. You also need to be level-headed, not given to panic, compassionate, and with good people skills. Most vet nurses are women, I estimate about 95 per cent, and I don't know why that is. I think the men would have an advantage where strength is required.

Q. What is the most unusual animal you've had here?

A. We treated an axolotl, sometimes called a Mexican walking fish, some years ago. And a couple of weeks ago the vet removed a growth from a galah.

Q. What is the best part of the job?

A. Seeing animals recover from illness or injury, sometimes after a long convalescence. When they come in unable to walk or are badly injured from an accident, and walk out fit and well, it's wonderful.

Q. What's the worst part?

A. Having to put animals down when they are in their prime, because no one wants them. That's really heartbreaking.

I'm glad we have the option of euthanasia, because when animals are old or ill with no chance of recovery, they don't need to suffer more than necessary.

Q. What's the pay like?

A. Not great. A nurse with a certificate would start on less than $30,000 usually, maybe more with a diploma. I have been nursing for 10 years, and still earn less than $40,000. Most weeks I work between 40 and 60 hours. You have to be dedicated.

Q. What are the career opportunities for veterinary nurses?

A. With experience, you can become a practice manager, with responsibility for the other nurses. There is also zoo nursing, which requires different skills, animal control and jobs within the Ministry of Agriculture.

There is a lot of ongoing training in different aspects of the job, such as post-operative care, all of which make you more valuable to the vet and to the practice.