Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

Veterinary Nurse (RVN) - Small Animal

Ark Vetcare Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Full-time, Permanent

Salary €32,000 to €38,000 DOE

Join a Supportive and Experienced Team

Ark Vetcare Dún Laoghaire is seeking a Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our busy and well-established small animal practice. This is an excellent opportunity for both experienced nurses and newly qualified graduates, with full training and ongoing support provided by our experienced team.

We are looking for a hard-working, enthusiastic and motivated individual who is eager to learn and passionate about delivering gold standard patient care. Whether you are just beginning your nursing career or looking for your next opportunity in practice, you will be supported to develop your skills and confidence within a welcoming and collaborative environment.

Our team is committed to providing the highest standards of clinical care while maintaining a strong focus on preventative healthcare, including vaccination programmes, dentistry, nutrition, and client education.

The Role

As a Veterinary Nurse within our small animal team, you will play an important role in delivering exceptional patient care across both medical and surgical cases. This is a varied position offering exposure to all aspects of first-opinion nursing, allowing you to build and develop a broad range of clinical skills.

The role includes inpatient care, surgical nursing, anaesthesia monitoring, patient recovery, laboratory work, client communication, and supporting consultations. There will also be a small amount of reception and administrative duties as part of the wider team approach to patient and client care.

We are seeking a nurse who enjoys working in a busy environment, demonstrates excellent attention to detail, and is committed to maintaining high clinical standards. Experience is not essential, as comprehensive training and mentorship can be provided for the right candidate.

Applicants must be registered, or eligible to register, with the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI).

Working Pattern

This is a full-time permanent position working across five days per week.

The rota includes two evening shifts each week, typically Wednesday and Friday from 11:00am to 7:00pm. Remaining shifts vary and generally start at 7:30am, with finishing times dependent on the rota requirements.

The role also includes participation in a Saturday rota, working one in every four Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm.

There are no Sunday shifts and no out-of-hours requirements. Nurses are required to work only one Bank Holiday Monday per calendar year. A 30-minute unpaid lunch break is included each working day.

Our Practice

Ark Vetcare Dún Laoghaire is a busy, six-vet, five-nurse small animal practice that prides itself on delivering excellent clinical care and outstanding client service.

The practice is equipped with modern diagnostic and monitoring equipment, including digital radiography, ultrasound, and multi-parameter monitoring systems, enabling us to provide a high standard of care to our patients.

Our veterinary team includes two Veterinary Surgeons holding certificates in Internal Medicine, while one of our Veterinary Nurses has achieved a certificate in Surgical Nursing. This creates an excellent learning environment for nurses looking to expand their knowledge and develop new skills.

We work closely as a team, supporting one another while striving to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients. Gold standard patient care sits at the heart of everything we do.

What We Offer

We are committed to supporting our people and creating a workplace where you can thrive. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave, wellbeing support, paid professional memberships, and structured development opportunities.

You will have access to:

Work-life balance

* 22 days annual leave

* Birthday leave

Focus on employee wellbeing

* Paid maternity, paternity and adoptive leave packages

* Cycle to Work scheme

* EAP and wellbeing centre access

* Paid bereavement leave

* Company sick pay

Development

* €600 annual CPD allowance with 3 days' paid CPD leave (pro rata)

* Bespoke Graduate Nurse Academy, Nurse Evolve and many more in-house academies

* Funding for Certificates, Diplomas and PhDs

* Leadership Academy for future leaders, including Head Nurses and Practice Managers

* Career progression opportunities

Professional Memberships

* VCI membership paid

* VDS cover paid

Additional Benefits

* Annual pay reviews

* Pawsome benefits - retail discounts, virtual gym and more

* Employee pension contributions

* Discounted staff pet veterinary fees

* Free flu jabs

* Opportunity to join company programmes including LGBTQIA+, Wellbeing Champions, Clinical Board and many more

Why Join Us

At Ark Vetcare Dún Laoghaire, we combine high clinical standards with a genuinely supportive and friendly team culture. We value enthusiasm, teamwork and a willingness to learn, and we are committed to helping every member of our team reach their full potential.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a busy and progressive small animal practice where you will gain hands-on experience across both medical and surgical nursing while working alongside experienced veterinary professionals who are passionate about supporting the next generation of veterinary nurses.

Whether you are a newly qualified graduate looking for your first role or an experienced RVN seeking a fresh challenge, we would love to hear from you.