Head Veterinary Nurse 

Southview Veterinary Hospital  | Co. Tipperary

Full-time, Permanent 

Salary from €37,000 to €42,000 DOE

Lead, Inspire and Grow with Southview Veterinary Hospital, Clonmel

Are you an experienced RVN ready to take the next step into leadership, or an established Head Nurse looking for a new challenge in a progressive, supportive hospital? At Southview Veterinary Hospital, we're looking for a passionate and motivated nurse to join our team and help shape the future of our nursing service.

This is an opportunity to lead a talented team within a well-established and highly respected veterinary hospital in the heart of Clonmel. You'll play a key role in maintaining our high clinical standards, supporting and developing colleagues, and ensuring exceptional care for our patients and clients. Most importantly, you'll be joining a practice where your voice is valued, your ideas are welcomed, and your professional growth is genuinely encouraged.

Why Southview?

Southview Veterinary Hospital has been caring for animals across Tipperary and beyond for over 20 years. We are proud of the reputation we've built, not only for delivering excellent veterinary care but also for creating a workplace where people enjoy coming to work.

Our team is made up of six Veterinary Surgeons, three Veterinary Nurses, a Hydrotherapist, an Animal Care Assistant, Practice Manager and a team of dedicated support staff. We work collaboratively, support one another, and share a commitment to providing the very best outcomes for our patients.

We are also passionate about giving back to our local community and work closely alongside charities including PAWS, Clonmel TNR and My Lovely Horse Rescue.

A Practice That Invests in Clinical Excellence

We are fortunate to have an experienced veterinary team with particular interests in advanced ultrasonography, orthopaedics and dentistry, creating an environment where nurses can continue to develop their own clinical knowledge and skills.

Our hospital is equipped with modern facilities including two operating theatres, a dedicated dental suite, digital diagnostic imaging, a hydrotherapy and physiotherapy suite, modern kennels and cattery facilities, and dedicated medical and surgical nursing areas.

This is a practice where nurses are encouraged to fully utilise their skills and contribute meaningfully to patient care.

The Role

As Head Veterinary Nurse, you will be at the centre of our daily operations, balancing clinical nursing duties with leadership responsibilities. You will work closely with our veterinary and management teams to ensure the smooth running of the hospital while supporting, mentoring and developing the nursing team.

You will take ownership of nursing rotas, help maintain high clinical and operational standards, oversee compliance processes, and provide guidance and support to colleagues throughout the practice. This role would suit someone who is organised, approachable, clinically strong and passionate about creating a positive team culture.

While leadership forms an important part of the position, this remains a hands-on clinical role where you'll continue to be actively involved in patient care, nurse consultations, anaesthesia, inpatient management and all aspects of veterinary nursing.

A Varied and Supportive Nursing Environment

We believe the best nurses are those who have the opportunity to develop across all areas of practice. Our nursing team rotates fairly through surgical nursing, medical nursing, consulting, inpatient care and administrative responsibilities, ensuring variety in the working week and ongoing professional development.

We actively encourage upskilling, lifelong learning and career progression. Whether your ambition is to strengthen your leadership skills, pursue further clinical interests or develop your management experience, you'll have the support and resources to achieve your goals.

Working Pattern

This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week across five days, Monday to Friday, with participation in a 1 in 3 Saturday rota and 1-2 bank holidays per year. Start times vary from 8:00am, with the latest scheduled finish at 7:00pm.

We place a strong emphasis on teamwork and fairness, ensuring responsibility is shared across the nursing team while maintaining a healthy and sustainable working environment.

Who We're Looking For

We're seeking a Veterinary Nurse who combines strong clinical skills with natural leadership qualities. You will be confident supporting colleagues, comfortable managing priorities in a busy hospital environment and passionate about delivering exceptional standards of care.

Whether you're already leading a team or looking to make your first move into a Head Nurse position, we'd love to hear from you if you're enthusiastic about developing others, driving clinical excellence and helping build a positive and supportive practice culture.

Employee Benefits – subject to pro rata 

At Southview, we believe in the importance of supporting our staff’s professional and personal well-being. Along with a competitive salary, you will receive a wide range of benefits, including:  

Work life balance 

* Minimum of 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 (pro-rata) 

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

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

* Career progression opportunities 

Professional memberships 

* VCI membership paid 

* VDS cover paid 

Additional benefits 

* Annual pay reviews 

* Pawesome benefits – various discounts including retails and virtual gym 

* Employee pension contributions 

* Discounted staff pet veterinary fees 

* Free flu jabs 

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

Join Our Leadership Team

This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of an important leadership role within a thriving veterinary hospital that values both its people and its patients.

If you're looking for a position where you can make a real impact, work alongside an experienced and friendly team, and continue to grow as a veterinary professional, Southview Veterinary Hospital could be the perfect next step in your career.