If you’ve qualified as a veterinary nurse overseas, you can find more information on how to register on the RCVS website.
There are sections containing further information on the registration process for overseas-qualified veterinary nurses, including those who have qualified from courses approved by the Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nurse Education (ACOVENE).
If you’ve completed a qualification in veterinary nursing that has not achieved full approval by the RCVS or ACOVENE, you can also view information on pre-registration assessments.
An ‘Introduction to the UK veterinary profession – online CPD course for overseas vets and VNs’ is run by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and VDS Training.
Overseas VN case studies
Below you will find some case studies for veterinary nurses who qualified overseas but now work in the UK. These should help to provide some insight into the process and some of the differences. Find out about overseas-qualified nurses’ experiences and advice on the transition to nursing in the UK.
Bruna Chaves Cardoso RVN
What key piece of advice would you give to anyone wishing to follow a similar career path overseas?
It is very important to research about nursing as a profession in the country you are aiming to go to. Also, don’t be afraid of speaking to your team members if you don’t understand something, that being either in a language level or professional level. They will be there to help and support you in becoming the best nurse you can be.
Alix Whittington MSc BSc RVN
How long have you been an RVN and where did you qualify?
I have been a veterinary nurse for 5 years. I became a RVN here in the UK this year after completing my overseas qualified pre-registration OSCEs.
I qualified as a veterinary nurse after graduating from the University of Queensland, in Gatton, Australia in 2014. I studied a Bachelor of Applied Science Majoring in Veterinary Technology. I took my first full time position at Sydney Animals Hospitals
Alex Mullarky RVN
What do you enjoy about your job?
When I was in Australia one of my favourite things was that members of the public would bring injured wildlife to us as there isn’t an equivalent to the RSPCA or SSPCA that treats wildlife. I got to see a lot of incredible animals up close and I volunteered at a local wildlife shelter to be involved with their rehabilitation.