VCA

Registered Veterinary Nurse - Rotational

Linnaeus North Downs Specialist Referrals (NDSR)|170002 Full time

Job Title: Rotating Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
Salary: From £31,500
Location: NDSR
Job Type: Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week (full-time) – shifts between 7:30am and 8:30pm

Why Apply for This Role?

If you are an RVN looking to build confidence across multiple disciplines while working with complex and varied cases, this role offers the ideal environment to develop your skills.

You will rotate through wards, diagnostics, and theatre, gaining hands-on experience in a large referral hospital. This is a strong opportunity for nurses who want exposure before choosing a specialism, or those who enjoy variety in their day-to-day work.

You will be supported by a large and experienced team, with structured training, strong clinical guidance, and real opportunities to progress within the hospital.

About the Role

You will be part of a large, multi-disciplinary team including RVNs, clinicians, residents, interns, and nursing assistants, working together to deliver high standards of patient care.

This is a varied and hands-on role where you will rotate through three key departments:

Wards
You will work across five wards, including medicine and high dependency units. This involves inpatient care, monitoring complex cases, and managing a mix of early and late shifts.

Diagnostics
Working within a busy imaging department, you will be involved in monitoring anaesthesia for CT, MRI, and ultrasound procedures.

Theatre
You will support surgical cases by monitoring anaesthesia, preparing equipment, and assisting clinicians during procedures.

This rotation gives you full exposure to the patient journey and allows you to utilise and develop a wide range of nursing skills.

Working Pattern

  • 40 hours per week
  • Shifts between 7:30am and 8:30pm
  • Early shift: 7:30am – 4:30pm
  • Late shift: 11:30am – 8:30pm (only 1 week in 6)
  • Rotations planned in advance on a structured rota
  • 1 in 6 weekends with 2 days off in lieu the following week
  • 1 bank holiday per year with time off in lieu

Your rota, including weekends and late shifts, is provided well in advance, allowing you to plan ahead. There is also flexibility to swap shifts where needed.

Training & Support

You will receive a comprehensive induction designed to support you as you transition into referral practice:

  • 3-month structured induction programme
  • Dedicated buddy throughout your rotations
  • Weekly check-ins with your team leader
  • Exposure to all departments during induction
  • Additional shadowing including lab and a night shift

Although this is a day role, there is optional opportunity to pick up night shifts if desired.

The Team

You will be joining a large and supportive nursing team of around 60 RVNs, alongside a wider day team of approximately 45–50 nurses.

Support structure includes:

  • Department supervisors across wards, diagnostics, and theatre
  • Dedicated team leaders for line management and development
  • A collaborative team culture with strong peer support

The team includes a mix of experienced nurses and student nurses, creating an environment focused on learning, teaching, and development.

Clinical Exposure & Development

This is a highly hands-on role where nurses are trusted to carry out advanced clinical skills, including:

  • Placing catheters
  • Taking blood samples
  • Monitoring anaesthesia
  • Managing complex inpatient cases

You will also work closely with a large anaesthesia team, providing excellent exposure if this is an area of interest.

There are clear opportunities to specialise in the future, whether in wards, theatre, or diagnostics.

Culture & Working Environment

Despite being a large hospital, the team maintains a friendly and supportive culture where everyone is approachable and willing to help.

  • Monthly nurse meetings with open communication
  • Team breakfast provided during meetings
  • Active shift-swapping support within the rota team
  • Strong focus on development, including opportunities for clinical coaching

Benefits

5 weeks holiday + bank holidays + Birthday Leave

Private medical insurance

Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD program

Career progression opportunities

Staff discount schemes

Life Assurance

Enhanced sickness pay

Enhanced equal family leave

E-car salary sacrifice scheme

Employer contribution pension scheme

Wellness program including:

Employee assistance program

Eyecare voucher scheme

Free annual Flu jab

Cycle to work scheme

Recruitment referral reward scheme

About Us

We are an internationally acknowledged referral centre of excellence for specialist veterinary care.

Our RCVS accredited practice offers access to one of the largest groups of veterinary specialists within the UK and Europe. We are continuously aiming to provide the highest standards of medical and surgical care for our patients within a caring and compassionate environment.

Our team consists of over 60 Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN) and 31 recognised specialists in surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, oncology, neurology, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, diagnostic imaging and anaesthesia.

At Linnaeus, we are committed to supporting the physical and mental health of all our Associates. We have an amazing team of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) across our practices and central support office in addition to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme which is available for everyone.