Registered Veterinary Nurse - Weekend Ward Nurse in Swindon

We are looking for an experienced, compassionate Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our incredible nursing team at our well-equipped and thriving Independent small animal hospital in Wiltshire. Working hours would be up to 12 hours per weekend working a 2.00pm-8.30pm shift. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a supportive, forward-thinking hospital environment, working a dedicated weekend role that plays a vital part in maintaining high standards of inpatient care and ensuring a smooth transition into the out-of-hours period.

You will work alongside a highly skilled and friendly team, with access to a large and varied caseload, allowing you to continue developing your clinical skills while contributing meaningfully to patient care.

The Role

As a Weekend Ward Nurse, you will play a key role in supporting inpatient care during the afternoon and evening period, ensuring patients receive consistent, high-quality care as the hospital transitions from day to night. You will begin your shift working closely with the day veterinary nursing team, supporting with:

• Inpatient treatments, monitoring, and observations
• Ward rounds and patient assessments
• Maintaining accurate and detailed clinical records
• Supporting general ward organisation and efficiency

This collaborative period allows for strong communication, continuity of care, and effective prioritisation of the caseload.

Evening Responsibility & Inpatient Care

From 5:00pm onwards, as the practice closes to routine appointments (remaining open for out-of-hours care only), your role will begin to transition. From 6:30pm onwards, you will take on a more central and autonomous role within the wards, working alongside an Animal Nursing Assistant (ANA) and the Duty Vet. Between 6:30pm – 8:30pm, you will be responsible for:

• Supporting the Out-of-Hours Vet with any incoming cases, calls, or client interactions
• Assisting with patient admissions and emergency care where required
• Overseeing inpatient care and ensuring all patients are appropriately monitored
• Prioritising workload and ensuring treatments are completed on time
• Supporting and guiding the ANA to ensure smooth workflow
• Maintaining high standards of clinical care and organisation
• Ensuring all patient records, medication charts, and monitoring sheets are accurate and up to date

You will play an essential role in ensuring that all inpatients are stable, appropriately managed, and fully prepared for the overnight period.

Handover & Continuity of Care

At the end of your shift, you will contribute to the handover of inpatient care to the Duty Nurse (8:00pm), ensuring that:

• All relevant patient information is clearly communicated
• Any ongoing concerns or priorities are highlighted
• Continuity of care is maintained safely and effectively

Strong communication during this transition is critical to maintaining high standards of patient care overnight.

Working Pattern

This role is based on weekend working:

• Saturday and/or Sunday
• 2:00pm – 8:30pm

We are flexible and open to:

• Candidates working one day (Saturday or Sunday)
• Candidates working both days every weekend
• Depending on applications, the possibility of alternating weekend patterns

This flexibility makes the role ideal for those seeking a consistent part-time position or additional hours alongside another role.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a nurse who is confident, organised, and able to work both independently and as part of a team. You will need:

• RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse status
• Strong clinical skills, particularly in inpatient care
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation abilities
• Confidence in managing workload during quieter but critical evening periods
• Ability to support emergency and out-of-hours cases where required
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach
• A calm, proactive attitude and the ability to adapt to changing clinical demands

Experience working in a hospital environment or with inpatients is highly desirable.

Your Role in Patient Care

Our nurses are central to everything we do, and your professional opinion will be valued throughout the patient journey. You will be encouraged to take an active role in patient care planning and delivery, working closely with both the veterinary and nursing teams. We fully support Schedule 3 procedures and actively encourage nurses to utilise and develop their clinical skills within our modern, well-equipped hospital.

Training, CPD & Professional Development

We are committed to supporting your development and progression:

• £750 CPD budget (pro rata) with paid CPD leave
• Fully funded additional CPD where it benefits the practice
• Regular in-house training sessions
• Ongoing support from senior nurses and leadership team

About Us

We are a fiercely independent practice, with Directors who work within the hospital and know every member of staff personally. With an RVN on our board, the nursing voice is always represented at management level. We have a clear and supportive management structure and place a strong emphasis on wellbeing, teamwork, and maintaining a healthy work–life balance. We are proud to have:

• A Social Committee organising events and activities throughout the year
• A Sustainability Committee helping us reduce our environmental impact
• A Wellbeing Team focused on supporting mental health and workplace wellbeing

These initiatives help ensure our practice is not only a great place to work clinically, but also socially and personally.

How to Apply

For further information or to submit an application (including CV and covering letter), please contact: Lyndsay Hughes

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £31,000.00-£33,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 6 – 12 per week

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Licence/Certification: RCVS Registration (required)

Work Location: In person