Graduate Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal
Start Your Veterinary Nursing Journey the Right Way
Anicare Veterinary Group – Blanchardstown, Clontarf or Santry
Full-time or Part-time | Permanent
€30,000 (SVN) – €32,000 (New Graduate RVN)
From Student to Skilled Nurse – With a Team Behind You Every Step of the Way
You’ve worked hard to get here - late-night study sessions, long placement days, and a genuine passion for animal care that’s carried you through. Now it’s time to take that next step.
At Anicare Veterinary Group, we’re inviting final-year Student Veterinary Nurses and newly qualified RVNs to join us before or just after graduation, so you can transition into practice with confidence, support, and structure already in place.
This isn’t just your first job, it’s your launchpad. A place where you’re encouraged, guided, and given the space to grow into the nurse you’ve trained to become.
Learn By Doing – Build Confidence From Day One
We know how important those early months are in shaping your career. That’s why we’ve created an environment where learning happens naturally, every single day. You’ll be immersed in all aspects of small animal nursing within a busy, first-opinion setting - gaining hands-on experience in surgical nursing, anaesthesia, inpatient care, and nurse consultations. But just as importantly, you’ll never be expected to figure things out alone.
With structured onboarding, approachable mentors, and an experienced team that genuinely wants you to succeed, you’ll be supported to develop at your own pace. Ask questions, try new skills, and gradually take on more responsibility as your confidence grows - exactly as it should.
Three Clinics, One Shared Purpose: Supporting You
Wherever you join us - Blanchardstown, Clontarf or Santry - you’ll find a slightly different environment, but the same supportive culture across the board.
In Blanchardstown, you’ll work in a newly refurbished clinic with excellent facilities, including a dedicated dental suite, separate operating theatre, and DR x-ray system. With certificate holders in feline medicine and diagnostic imaging on-site, it’s an ideal setting if you’re curious, ambitious, and keen to deepen your clinical knowledge early in your career.
In Clontarf, you’ll become part of a long-established, collaborative team that genuinely enjoys working together. It’s a great fit if you value camaraderie, shared learning, and being surrounded by experienced colleagues who are invested in your development.
In Santry, you’ll join a close-knit nursing team in a well-equipped first-opinion clinic. You’ll play an active role in daily practice life - from assisting with surgeries and monitoring anaesthesia to engaging with clients and helping manage the clinical environment - building confidence through real responsibility, with support always close at hand.
Across all locations, you’ll also benefit from being part of the wider Anicare network - giving you access to shared knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities across multiple clinics.
A Rota That Supports Your Life (Not Just Your Career)
Starting your career shouldn’t mean burning out. We’ve designed our rota with balance in mind, so you can focus on learning while still enjoying life outside of work.
You’ll typically work a 4-day week, with around 1.5 weekends in 6, and no out-of-hours or overnight commitments. That means you can build your skills in a sustainable, supportive way - without the pressure of exhausting schedules.
We also understand that flexibility matters. Whether you’re looking for part-time hours or a slightly different working pattern, we’re happy to explore options that work for you.
Who Will Thrive in This Role
This opportunity is perfect for final-year Student Veterinary Nurses graduating this summer or newly qualified RVNs who are (or soon will be) eligible for VCI registration.
More than anything, we’re looking for attitude and enthusiasm. If you’re motivated to learn, enjoy being part of a team, and genuinely care about delivering great patient care, you’ll fit right in. You don’t need to know everything - that’s what we’re here for.
More Than Your First Job – A Career That Grows With You
When you join Anicare, you’re not just stepping into a role, you’re joining a pathway. You’ll have access to structured development programmes, including our Graduate Nurse Academy, alongside additional in-house training and learning opportunities designed to build both your clinical skills and your confidence.
As you grow, so do your opportunities. Whether you discover a passion for surgery, inpatient care, client education, or leadership, we’ll support you in exploring and developing your interests over time.
A Team That Feels Like Home
Starting somewhere new can feel daunting, but you won’t feel like “the new person” for long.
We pride ourselves on creating friendly, inclusive teams where everyone supports each other and celebrates progress together. From your very first day, you’ll be surrounded by people who remember what it felt like to be in your shoes and are genuinely invested in helping you succeed.
Supporting You, Professionally and Personally
We believe the best nurses are those who feel supported, valued, and able to grow. Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll benefit from a package designed to support your wellbeing and development.
Comprehensive Benefits Package – subject to pro rata
In addition to a competitive salary, you will also benefit from:
Work life balance
*22 days annual leave entitlement
*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
*Free flu jabs
Development & Career Growth
*€600 annual CPD allowance with 3 days paid (pro-rata)
*Bespoke Graduate Nurse Academy, Nurse Evolve and many more in-house academies
*Funding of any Certificates / Diplomas / PhD’s you may want to pursue
*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
*Pawesome benefits – various discounts including retails and virtual gym
*Employee pension contributions
*Discounted staff pet veterinary fees
*Opportunity to join company programmes (LGBTQIA+, Wellbeing Champions, Clinical Board and many more)
Ready to Take That First Step?
If you’re about to graduate and looking for a place where you’ll be supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow into the best version of yourself as a veterinary nurse, we’d love to welcome you.
Join Anicare as a student nurse now and step confidently into your future as a skilled, capable RVN.
