Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

Passage West, Cork, Ireland
Primary Care - Vet Nurse – Small Animal /
Sunbeam Vets, Passage West [4011] /
On-site

Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

 

Sunbeam Veterinary Hospital, Passage West, Cork

Full-Time | Permanent

Salary €32,000-€35,000 DOE

 

 

Build Meaningful Client Relationships in a Practice You Can Make Your Own

Are you an experienced Veterinary Nurse looking for a role that offers autonomy, variety, and the opportunity to become a valued part of a local community?

Sunbeam Vets Passage West is seeking a confident and capable Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our friendly branch team. This is a unique opportunity for a nurse who enjoys building long-term relationships with clients and patients, taking ownership of their role, and working independently while still having the support of a large and highly experienced veterinary network behind them.

You'll be joining a welcoming, close-knit branch team while benefiting from the expertise, resources, and clinical support of the wider Sunbeam Veterinary Group, one of Cork's most established veterinary providers.

 

 

The Role: Independence, Variety & Support

This is a full-time permanent position based primarily at our Passage West clinic. The role offers an excellent level of autonomy and responsibility, making it ideal for an experienced small animal nurse who is comfortable working sole charge and enjoys the opportunity to make a genuine impact within a practice.

Working closely alongside the branch Veterinary Surgeon and Receptionist, you'll play a central role in the day-to-day running of the clinic, becoming a familiar and trusted face for both clients and their pets.

You'll be involved in a varied and rewarding range of nursing duties, including inpatient care, surgical nursing, anaesthesia monitoring, nurse consultations, preventative healthcare, diagnostic procedures, laboratory work, patient recovery, and client education. Your nursing skills will be utilised fully, with opportunities to run nurse clinics, develop client relationships, and take ownership of patient care from admission through to discharge.

While the role is based in Passage West, there may occasionally be opportunities to support one of our other Cork-based clinics when required.

 

 

A Practice with the Best of Both Worlds

Passage West offers a genuinely unique nursing opportunity. You'll enjoy the close community feel and continuity of care that comes with working in a smaller branch practice, while still having access to the facilities, expertise, and career opportunities available through the wider Sunbeam Veterinary Group.

The branch itself is fully equipped with in-house biochemistry and haematology analysers, digital radiography, ultrasound, dental facilities, and a dedicated surgical suite, allowing you to provide excellent standards of patient care locally.

As part of Sunbeam Veterinary Group, you'll also have access to a wider network of referral services and advanced clinical expertise across Cork. Our group includes highly experienced veterinary professionals with certificates in surgery, neurology, emergency and critical care, anaesthesia, and internal medicine, ensuring support and guidance are always available when needed.

 

 

Join a Team That Invests in Your Development

Although this is a sole charge nursing position, you'll never be on your own.

Across Sunbeam Veterinary Group, you'll become part of a wider team of more than 50 veterinary professionals who are passionate about collaboration, learning, and clinical excellence. We foster an open and supportive culture where sharing knowledge is actively encouraged.

The successful candidate will receive hands-on training and support, including opportunities to spend time within our main hospital. We regularly host Lunch & Learn sessions, encourage further education, and actively support nurses pursuing additional qualifications and professional development.

Whether you're looking to expand your nursing skills, gain greater autonomy, or pursue future certifications, you'll find an environment that genuinely supports your ambitions.

 

 

Why Passage West?

Located just outside Cork City, Passage West offers the perfect balance between community living and city convenience. Situated along Cork Harbour, the area is known for its scenic waterfront walks, friendly atmosphere, and excellent local amenities.

With dedicated lunch breaks and a practice closure during lunchtime, you'll have the opportunity to fully switch off during the day and enjoy the local area, helping to create a healthier and more sustainable work-life balance.

 

 

About You

We're looking for a qualified Veterinary Nurse who enjoys taking responsibility, providing exceptional patient care, and becoming an integral part of a practice team.

You must be registered with the Veterinary Council of Ireland and have previous small animal nursing experience. As this is a sole charge nursing position, you should feel confident making decisions within your professional competence and managing your workload independently.

You'll be organised, reliable, and adaptable, with excellent communication skills and a genuine passion for delivering outstanding standards of patient and client care. Confidence in nurse consultations and anaesthesia is essential, while additional certificates or postgraduate qualifications would be welcomed but are by no means required.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who is approachable, compassionate, and eager to build lasting relationships with clients, colleagues, and patients alike.

 

 

Working Pattern

This position offers a highly predictable and attractive working schedule: Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 6:00pm

You'll benefit from a fixed one-hour unpaid lunch break, during which the practice closes to ensure adequate time away from clinical duties.

Weekend commitment consists of: 1 in 6 weekends at the main hospital, working 9:00am to 4:00pm, with time off in lieu provided for the weekend worked.

You'll also be required to work two Bank Holidays per year at the main hospital, with additional payment provided for these shifts.

 

 

Comprehensive Benefits Package (subject to pro-rata)

We believe in investing in our people. In addition to a competitive salary and a long-term, stable role, you’ll benefit from:

Work Life Balance & Employee Wellbeing

*22 days annual leave (pro-rata)

*Birthday leave

*Paid maternity, paternity and adoptive leave packages

*Paid bereavement and sick leave

*Employee Assistance Programme and Wellbeing Centre access

*Cycle to Work Scheme

*Fixed lunch break with practice closure

*Time off in lieu for weekend working

Career Development

*€600 annual CPD allowance plus paid CPD leave (pro-rata)

*Funding for Certificates, Diplomas and further qualifications

*Bespoke Nurse Evolve Programme

*Regular Lunch & Learn sessions

*Hands-on training within the wider Sunbeam Group

*Opportunities to learn from certificate holders in ECC, Anaesthesia, Surgery, Neurology and Internal Medicine

*Leadership Academy for aspiring Head Nurses and Practice Managers

*Opportunities for clinical and professional progression across the IVC Evidensia network

Professional Memberships & Additional Benefits

*VCI membership paid

*VDS cover provided

*Employer pension contributions

*Annual salary reviews

*Discounted veterinary care across the IVC Evidensia network

*Access to Pawesome Benefits retail and lifestyle discounts

*Free flu vaccinations

 

 

Ready for Your Next Step?

If you're an experienced Veterinary Nurse looking for a role that combines independence, clinical variety, genuine community connections, and the support of a leading veterinary group, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Sunbeam Vets Passage West and become part of a practice where your skills are valued, your development is encouraged, and your contribution truly makes a difference every day. 

€32,000 - €35,000 a year
€32,000-€35,000 DOE
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.