CELEBRATE International Vet Nurse Day WITH US

How do I become a Vet Nurse?

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world. There are many different roles required to keep the hospital going, including vet, vet nurse, and volunteers.

On Friday the 11th of October 2024, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital will celebrate International Vet Nurse Day!

A day in the life of a vet nurse

Renee Lowery has been working at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital for 8 years. A normal day for her can look something like this:

• First thing we have our morning meeting – where we discuss plans and procedures for the day, including foster release list (animals coming and going), in-house patient numbers, research projects, and any media or tours.

• Then we get ready for the day - turning on anesthetic machines, x-ray machines, setting up equipment, unlocking doors, and answering phones.

• Next, we prep medications for the day. We plan to medicate any animals who need morning medicine between 8.30-9am.

• One of our favourite yet bittersweet moments is getting patients boxed up ready for transport or ambulance releases. While it’s amazing to see so many animals on their road to recovery, it can be hard sometimes saying goodbye to our patients.

• With help from our volunteers, we undertake feeding, medicating, weighing and cleaning all patients and enclosures.

• Each day we have a designated area for a big clean - Mondays we clean turtle ponds, Wednesdays we clean the waterbirds pond, Thursdays is full clean outs of the raptor aviaries, Fridays is full clean out and catch/weigh all the lorikeets in Lori Lodge, Saturdays is inventory, food ordering and Sundays is maintaining the incubation eggs.

• After morning tea we do our computer work/treatment charts/notes and admin tasks

• At midday we administer more medications as required.

• At 1pm our hardworking AM volunteer shift finishes, and the PM volunteers start so there is some work handing over/directing afternoon volunteers with tasks.

• The afternoon consists of koala feed outs, pellet collection (we count and weigh them daily) and then full enclosure clean and feed.

• Any new incoming patients that need to be set up in an enclosure (waterbird, turtle, koala etc.) are looked after and we spend some time making sure they are fed and comfortable.

• Then we need to ensure every patient has paperwork (especially new admits) and treatment charts are clear and ready for the following day.

• The end of day is quite the hustle, getting everyone medicated, fed, and housed. All nurses chip in to clean the hospital (and rehab areas), changing bins, mopping floors, washing dishes, pet packs - so we can all leave on time!

• A nurse should always end the day on a clean slate, have everything prepared, updated, clean and ready to hit the ground running the following day.

What’s the best thing about being a Vet Nurse?

The best thing about being a nurse (especially in an emergency wildlife hospital) is the variety in our day. We see such an array of animals and no day is ever the same as the last. Our job is highly challenging, stressful, nonstop and fast paced, but we absolutely wouldn't have it any other way!

How to become a vet nurse in Australia?

There are a number of ways to get started in the vet nurse industry. To be employed as a Vet Nurse you will need to complete a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, which is offered at TAFE or University.

To gain entry into this course, it is beneficial to have previous experience or training in animal studies. You could consider:

• Volunteer at a Wildlife Hospital or veterinary hospital.

• Volunteer with a wildlife organisation like Wildcare.

• Completing a relevant qualification like Cert II and Cert III in Animal Care. Year 11 or 12 QLD students can complete their Cert II remotely via the Taronga Zoo learning institute, with their practical experience being at Currumbin Wildlife. Sanctuary.

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital run an annual careers fair where you can learn all about becoming a Vet or Vet Nurse, meet tertiary eduation institutions who offer relevant courses, and hear from people currently working in the industry. Sign up to our email list to be notified when the next careers fair is happening.

How do I volunteer at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital?

Get more information here about careers or volunteering at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

How do I get a Vet Placement at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital?

Placements are accepted and confirmed one year in advance. Applications for any given year are open between February 1 and April 30 of the preceding year. You can find all the information about how to apply here.

Can International students work at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital?

For a small donation, we allow International Students to observe (not work) at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. You can register an expression of interest here.