A career working with animals can be extremely rewarding and satisfying however, it can be hard to know where to begin to make your dream become reality when you have had little or no prior experience. You may be thinking about the possible career options open to you after finishing studying or you may already be working in a different industry and considering a career change. Whatever your current situation, learn more about choosing the right career path working with animals.
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
“I began studying the Certificate IV of Veterinary Nursing as a full time student at AVT at the beginning of 2017. I went into the course having never worked in a vet clinic before, and unsure if I would even be a good vet nurse. Luckily AVT has the most incredible lecturers who encouraged and helped me every step of the way & got me into an awesome clinic for my work placement. My work placement clinic ended up hiring me and I am now working my dream job and doing things I would never of Hey thought I’d be able to do in such a short amount of time. The personalised support and encouragement I received from all of the staff at AVT is second to none and I can not thank them all enough for everything they have done for me. Studying at Applied Vocational Training was definitely the best decision of my life!” via Facebook Review
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
My name is Amanda and I am a newly graduated veterinary nurse from AVT. I studied the course full time in 2015 which is no mean feat, having two children to also look after, but my hard work and determination paid off.
In December I went on my adventure to a wildlife rescue centre in Thailand. It was an amazing experience, a definite eye-opener! I got to work with Elephants, Bears, Macaques, Dusky Langur’s, Deer, Gibbons, Wild Boar and many others. I helped to treat abscesses on the elephants, medicate the bears, help a gibbon with seizures, treat a macaque with a fever, treat a deer that had fly strike, watch a vasectomy on a macaque, a tail amputation on a dog and my most favourite job was babysitting a baby dusky langur called Luna. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.
Once I returned, I juggled kids on school holidays with my new job at the veterinary hospital in which I was offered a job near the end of my studies last year. And I absolutely love it there. I have done a lot of reception work, which is very challenging, but I’m getting better with it and my surgery skills are also getting a work out. It is the first time in my life that I can actually say that I love my job – so thanks to all of the staff at AVT for making that possible. I have had a wonderful experience studying with AVT.
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
One of our correspondence veterinary nursing students, Melanie Morris has recently returned from a volunteer trip to South Africa where she had the opportunity to shadow a wildlife vet for two weeks.
Melanie:
I worked very hard and got very dirty, but had an amazing experience and learnt a lot!! Some of the highlights of my amazing visit included microchipping a sable calf, meeting and feeding two lion cubs (one rescued from a circus, one rescued from the canned hunting industry), treating an injured elephant calf, having a cuddle with an orphan leopard cub, getting to practice drawing up lots and lots of medication, learning to shoot darting rifles, catching and restraining nyala and being chased by a pack of wild dogs (who have been rehabilitated after being rescued from a zoo).
I love my job – so thanks to all of the staff at AVT for making that possible. I have had a wonderful experience studying with AVT.
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
“In 2016 I completed my Cert IV in veterinary nursing at AVT and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life. The course was well balanced with both theory and practical work. The lecturers and support staff were constantly striving to make our learning experience a positive and effective one. I cannot thank AVT enough for all of the help that they have given me. Without them, I wouldn’t have received the nursing job that I have today. Thanks AVT” via Facebook.
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
My name is Casey and I graduated from AVT in 2013, after studying the course full time. I originally decided I wanted a career with animals and people when I got my little cheeky dog “Oreo” at 17. The idea of having a career where I could help people and their pets seemed to be the perfect fit for me. Due to my love of talking, especially about animal health and welfare!!! Before starting at AVT I was lucky enough to have undertaken a few months of work experience. This really helped me know for sure that the Veterinary Industry was the one for me, and in particular a career as a Veterinary Nurse.
During my time with AVT I particularly enjoyed the fact that every second week we were able to take the knowledge that we had just learnt in class and see it in action at our work placement. I believe that this is what makes AVT such a stand out course as so when you are out in your first job you are able to perform basic tasks from having done so many hours of work experience already.
After graduating, it did take me a few interviews before finding the perfect job with Sage Vets at South St Vet, I have now been working with them for nearly 3 years! I have also previously run their puppy class program and work with an amazing team that has allowed me to grow and develop my skills a lot. After 2 years as a full time Nurse with Sage Vets, I decided that my real passion was surgery and critical care medicine, and I thought that the next best step for me would be to progress my career and go to Murdoch University. I am currently studying Animal Science and hope to successfully transfer into Veterinary Science one day; to become a Veterinarian. While studying this past year I have still been working at Sage Vets and also secured a role at WAVES as an Emergency and Critical Care receptionist. So to say the least my Cert IV has taken me on a bit of a crazy journey and now lead me to Murdoch, definitely not what I thought on Graduation Night 2013. Everyone at AVT is so supportive and helpful in all aspects of the course. And I couldn’t recommend a better place to study Veterinary Nursing.
Maddie always dreamed of working with animals. From zookeeping to completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing with AVT, her journey led her to a dream role as a Veterinary Nurse at Perth Zoo.
Mia, AVT graduate of the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (Blended Learning), turned her lifelong love of animals into a rewarding career. Discover how she balanced work, study, and her passion for horses to become a vet nurse.
Discover how Lou transformed her career at 58 to become a Veterinary Nurse. From studying with AVT to working at Furlife Vet and Equine Hospital, Lou’s story shows it’s never too late to follow your passion for animals.
Key findings of the 2024 VET student outcomes report (satisfaction survey) shows 92% would recommend training and 92% were employed or in further study after completing training.
The leader in delivery of Australian Nationally Recognised Qualifications including ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (formerly Animal Studies), ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, ACM40818 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training.
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) delivers a range of qualifications and short courses for students wishing to pursue a career working with animals.
AVT is a Registered Training Organisation based in Perth, Western Australia, providing on-campus and online courses to students studying throughout Australia. More about us →
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Applied Vocational Training (AVT) is proudly a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 5273).
