Registered Veterinary Nurse

Are you an RVN looking for a supportive team? If so, then read on…

Rowan Veterinary Centre is an independent small animal practice on the beautiful Fylde coast. We provide high-quality first-opinion services to our patients and clients from our purpose-built practice in Warton (near Kirkham) and our branch surgery in Blackpool.

We have an excellent working environment established within the practice, built on the foundations of our five core values of growth, respect, courage, belonging and making a difference. Our culture is based on getting it right, and we aim to learn from our mistakes and avoid the blame game that is so embedded in the veterinary industry.

Our vision and mission for the practice is to be a hub of hope within the profession by transforming the experience for everyone we welcome through our doors. From pets to vets to reps, we want people to believe that working in this industry can be great!

We are looking for an RVN to help us support our growing vet team. Our fantastic, inclusive nursing team of six RVNs and our ANAs and VCAs are all very welcoming and supportive of new colleagues. Our Head Nurse, Tom, joined us in November. He has worked in various practices in the UK and Australia and as a tutor at Chester Veterinary Training Centre. He has a Level 3 Award in Education and Teaching, recently started Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead course, and is about to begin an award in leadership and management with the VMG. Tom and the rest of the management team are extremely approachable and will provide lots of support and further training where needed. Tom says, “I had, like many nurses, taken a break from the day-to-day nursing and pursued other interests. I found that I was ready to come back into practice and couldn't have picked a better practice than Rowan. I have rediscovered my love of nursing and found a team that is supportive, encouraging, and so happy to listen to other points of view. Every team member is encouraged to pursue their interests and put them into practice. The level of care for the patients is exceptional, as is the care for the clients and team. I could not have found a better practice.”

We are an RCVS Accredited, fear-free, and ISFM silver cat-friendly clinic. Our nurses run regular clinics in nutrition, senior cats, behaviour and puppy classes. We are also fully supported by a dedicated front-of-house team.

We absolutely encourage both your personal and professional development, so if you’d like to continue your studies, we will support you in any area of interest that aligns with the growth of the practice. Hayley joined us as a newly qualified RVN in 2012. Since then, she has been able to develop her skills, completing both a Diploma in Feline Nursing and an Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) certificate. Having held the position of Head Nurse and being part of the senior management team since 2015, Hayley is moving to a more strategic role, implementing and driving improvements in clinical standards. Having recently completed the VMG certificate in Veterinary Leadership & Management, Hayley is now working towards the Diploma.

Amy has been part of the team for over ten years, having completed her nurse training here. She has completed an acupuncture course and works with our vet, Francis, to provide pain management clinics.

“At Rowan Vets, I have been able to grow within myself and within the practice by progressing in the area of pain management, and I am currently running my own clinics alongside a vet. I have also had the opportunity to complete a small animal nutrition certificate, which I use on a daily basis.” Amy RVN

Becca has a keen interest in behaviour and runs our puppy classes, working closely with vet Nicole, who is studying for a Masters in behaviour. Becca is also undertaking an exotics certificate, to support our exotics vet Andrew.

“I started here as a student vet nurse in 2019 and continued my journey here as an RVN in 2021. I feel extremely grateful to have started my career in such a fantastic practice with the most helpful and supportive team. Our team has such strong bonds, and we help, support and guide each other whenever needed, which I think is such an important factor when working in this challenging yet rewarding profession. Our management team lead by example. They are extremely approachable, encouraging, and motivating, and they have developed an amazing practice culture and implemented a growth mindset in all of their staff. Animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do, and the veterinary care provided is second to none, as patient care is always our top priority.” Becca RVN

We value all of our team and always aim to offer a good work-life balance, which is why we decided to outsource our out-of-hours work to Emergency Veterinary Services in Lytham St Anne’s. We do look after our own inpatients with an inpatient on-call rota shared between the vets and nurses, and backup support will be provided until you are comfortable.

As we don’t have the out-of-hours phone, the on-call is for inpatients only, so you can relax at home if there are no patients. You will receive a retainer for being on-call, plus a paid call-out fee and hourly rate if you need to attend the practice. We have a system in place to submit the weekends you wish to or wish not to work, allowing flexibility for everyone when making plans outside of work.

Our RVNs work a 4-day week with a fixed day off each week.

Our weekend rota is just 1:5, consisting of the following weekend shifts:

• 2 x Friday finishes at 1.30 pm
• Friday finish at 5 pm
• Friday finish at 6.30 pm
• Friday finish at 7.30 pm and inpatient night on-call, a Saturday morning shift (8.30 am – 1:30 pm), and then inpatient only on-call.

We’re a sociable team that enjoys getting together outside work, whether for our Christmas party, summer BBQ or just taking the dogs for a walk! There is lots to explore locally, from the bright lights of Blackpool to sandy beaches and beautiful countryside. For a bit of city life, Liverpool and Manchester are just an hour away, meaning you have easy access to airports for further travel.

We are offering:

• A salary of £29,500 to £32,500, with a paid call-out fee and hourly rate if called in during inpatient-only on-call
• 6 weeks holiday inclusive of bank holidays
• Your birthday off
• CPD encouraged, with certificates supported and funded
• Generous staff discount
• Enhanced maternity/paternity and sick pay
• Company pension

If you would like to be part of our amazing, caring and friendly nursing team, please call us for an informal chat or apply now!