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Step 1
Apply for a three-year course in veterinary nursing. The University College Dublin, the Dundalk Institute of Technology, St John's Central College and the Athlone Institute of Technology all offer programmes in veterinary nursing. The Dundalk Institute of Technology, however, will not receive accreditation by the Veterinary Council of Ireland until approximately 2010.
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Step 2
Attend classes on nursing, biology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgical nursing, anaesthesia, animal genetics and behavior and many others. You may also specialize in areas such as exotic animals, ethics, and health and safety.
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Step 3
Begin an internship with an on-campus or off-campus veterinary facility in order to gain practical hours that will supplement in-class learning. The length of these internships typically depend on the requirements set forth by your respective college, and can vary from one year to one week.
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Step 4
Receive your degree in veterinary nursing and apply for registration within the Veterinary Council.
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Step 5
Apply for a position with a veterinary clinic or hosptial or with a company that works with animal nutrition, animal welfare or animal pharmaceuticals.
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Step 6
Understand that a veterinary nurse can perform the follow tasks, according to the Veterinary Council: assist in a caesarean section, assist in surgical procedures, hold and handle tissue, assist in sedation, administer intravenous medication, take X-rays, perform minor medical procedures, treat an abscess or ulcer, as well as a few other tasks.
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Step 7
Uphold the ethical guidelines and code of conduct that have been established by the Veterinary Council
