Job Description

Out-of-Hours Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) – Maternity Cover

Location: Cambridge
Salary: £37,900 per annum
Job Type: Fixed-Term Maternity Cover
Shift Pattern: Out-of-Hours / Nights / Weekends

Not Your Average Night Shift

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Out-of-Hours Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) to join a thriving veterinary team in Cambridge on a maternity cover contract.

This is an ideal role for a Registered Veterinary Nurse with Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) or first opinion experience who enjoys variety, autonomy, and working as part of a genuinely collaborative team. Far from a standard night role, this position offers exposure to both general practice out-of-hours emergencies and specialist inpatient care within a multi-disciplinary referral hospital environment.

Working alongside experienced veterinary surgeons and supported by modern facilities, the successful candidate will play a central role in delivering exceptional patient care during out-of-hours periods.

The Role

As an Out-of-Hours RVN, the successful candidate will be at the heart of the hospital’s overnight service, supporting emergency cases, inpatient monitoring, and anaesthesia while working closely with veterinary colleagues.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing exceptional nursing care to emergency and hospitalised patients
• Supporting emergency triage and out-of-hours consultations
• Monitoring and caring for specialist inpatients overnight
• Assisting with and confidently managing anaesthesia cases
• Maintaining high standards of patient welfare and clinical care
• Working collaboratively with vets and the wider clinical team in a fast-paced environment

This role offers the opportunity to gain exposure to a diverse caseload while developing skills alongside European and RCVS Specialists.

What Makes This Role Different?

This is not a typical veterinary night nurse position. The successful candidate will benefit from:

• Hands-on involvement with both GP out-of-hours cases and specialist referral inpatients
• A collaborative, supportive culture where teamwork is genuinely valued
• Exposure to complex and interesting cases within a multi-disciplinary referral hospital
• Opportunities to learn and develop clinically alongside specialist clinicians
• A varied role that combines emergency nursing, inpatient care, and anaesthesia

Shift Pattern

The role follows a repeating 21-day rota, comprising:

• Seven night shifts: 18:30 – 07:30
• One Saturday shift: 11:00 – 18:45
• One Sunday shift: 07:30 – 18:45

In addition to the standard rota, the successful candidate will be required to work up to 156 ad hoc hours annually, as reasonably requested to support absence cover, holidays, and operational requirements.

Taking both the standard rota and additional hours into account, the average working week equates to approximately 40 hours per week across the year.

About the Ideal Candidate

The practice is seeking a compassionate and confident Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) who thrives in a team environment and enjoys the variety that emergency and out-of-hours nursing brings.

The successful candidate will have:

• Qualification as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
• Previous ECC, emergency, or first opinion nursing experience
• Confidence in anaesthesia and inpatient care
• Strong clinical nursing and patient care skills
• The ability to remain calm and organised in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• A genuine passion for animal welfare and veterinary care

This opportunity would suit nurses who enjoy problem-solving, teamwork, and the rewarding nature of emergency veterinary medicine.

What’s on Offer?

In return, the successful candidate will receive:

• Competitive salary of £37,900 per annum
• A comprehensive benefits package
• Ongoing professional development and CPD opportunities
• A supportive working environment with a strong focus on wellbeing
• Access to modern veterinary facilities and equipment
• The chance to work alongside an experienced, collaborative clinical team

For an RVN seeking a rewarding out-of-hours veterinary nursing role in Cambridge, this is an opportunity to gain valuable experience, work with an exceptional caseload, and be part of a team where every shift makes a difference.

For more information or for a confidential chat, please contact Lorna on 01904 570056 or email l.vasey@purovets.com

You can also WhatsApp us at WhatsApp - Purovets and we are always happy to answer any questions you may have about our great opportunities.  

To view all our vacancies, please visit https://purovets.com/veterinary-jobs/ 

And don't forget, if this position is of no interest to you but you know someone who may be interested, please pass on our details. We offer £250* for every successful candidate referral. *Terms and conditions apply.

Ref no: JOB-58440