From small animals to zoos

ABSTRACT:

As a qualified veterinary nurse there are many different career pathways that can be followed, including working within a Zoological/wildlife park. Zoological collections with an onsite vet team/facility are uncommon and so gaining a zoo nurse position can be challenging and competitive to achieve. Gaining experience and recognised qualifications can help.

Having an insight into the role of a zoo nurse is beneficial as working with wild animals is often not what many people expect when they think of working within a zoo as a nurse.

Keywords: :

• exotic
• zoo
• nurse
• wildlife

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Samantha Ashfield

Samantha Ashfield RVN C&G Cert VNES, APVN (Zoo)Sam qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2003. She always had an interest in wildlife and exotics and has gained a certificate in nursing exotic and zoo species. In August 2015 she became the veterinary nurse at Twycross Zoo.Email: [email protected]