Veterinary Nurse - Graduate / Junior Position

About The Role

Registered Veterinary Nurse (Graduate / Junior Opportunity)

O'Dowd Veterinary, Ardee, Co. Louth Full-Time | Permanent Salary: €32,000 per annum Start Date: October 2026

Start Your Veterinary Nursing Career with a Team That Supports You Are you a newly qualified Veterinary Nurse, or due to graduate in 2026, and looking for a role where you can build confidence, develop your skills, and enjoy a genuine work-life balance? At O'Dowd Veterinary, we believe that a rewarding veterinary nursing career should not come at the expense of your personal time. That's why we offer a supportive environment where learning, teamwork and wellbeing are prioritised. This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected mixed animal practice and gain hands-on experience across a varied caseload while being guided by an experienced team that wants to see you succeed. Whether your passion lies in clinical nursing, consultations, inpatient care or broadening your experience in mixed practice, this role offers the perfect foundation to grow your career.

Why You'll Love Working at O'Dowd Veterinary Joining O'Dowd Veterinary means becoming part of a friendly, close-knit team that genuinely enjoys working together. Our nurses play an integral role in patient care and are encouraged to develop their skills, contribute ideas, and take ownership of their professional growth. One of the biggest attractions of this role is the work-life balance. There are no out-of-hours commitments, no Sunday shifts and no Bank Holiday working. The rota is designed to support a healthy balance between work and personal life, with shifts scheduled between 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday and just one in every four Saturdays, with time off in lieu provided. You'll also enjoy working in a modern, well-equipped practice with access to an in-house laboratory, digital radiography, ultrasound and a dedicated dental suite. Our varied caseload includes both companion animals and farm animals, giving you the opportunity to develop a broad range of nursing skills and gain valuable experience in a mixed practice setting. Conveniently located just off the M1, our practice offers easy access to Dublin, Belfast and some of the beautiful beaches of Ireland's east coast, all within a short drive.

The Role As a Veterinary Nurse at O'Dowd Veterinary, you'll become a valued member of a collaborative team committed to delivering exceptional patient care. Your days will be varied and engaging, allowing you to develop confidence across all aspects of veterinary nursing. You'll assist with surgical procedures and patient preparation, provide attentive inpatient and post-operative care, and play an active role in nurse consultations and clinics. You will also have the opportunity to support our farm animal work, including assisting veterinary surgeons with TB testing and other on-farm activities. As part of a team-focused practice, you'll occasionally provide support at reception, helping to ensure our clients receive the warm and professional service for which we are known. This role is particularly suited to a graduate or junior nurse who is eager to learn, gain exposure to a diverse caseload and develop into a confident, well-rounded veterinary professional.

Who We're Looking For We're seeking an enthusiastic and compassionate Veterinary Nurse who is excited to begin or continue their career within a supportive mixed practice environment. You will be VCI registered, or eligible for registration in 2026, and committed to delivering outstanding patient care. Most importantly, you'll be a proactive team player who enjoys working collaboratively, embraces learning opportunities and shares our passion for clinical excellence. New graduates are strongly encouraged to apply, and you'll benefit from the support, mentorship and development opportunities needed to help you thrive during the early stages of your career.

A Practice with Strong Community Roots O'Dowd Veterinary is a long-established mixed animal practice serving the local community from our base in Ardee, Co. Louth. Our team of seven Veterinary Surgeons, five Veterinary Nurses and four dedicated support staff work together to provide gold-standard care across both companion and farm animals. We are proud of the strong relationships we have built with our clients over many years and remain committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality veterinary care. Teamwork, respect, continuous improvement and genuine support for one another are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that investing in our people is essential to delivering exceptional care, and we're passionate about helping every member of our team develop both professionally and personally.

What We Offer In addition to a competitive salary and a welcoming team environment, you'll benefit from excellent support and mentoring, particularly if you're starting your veterinary nursing career. You'll gain exposure to a wide and interesting caseload, enjoy access to structured learning and development opportunities, and become part of a practice where your contributions are recognised and valued. This is an opportunity to build your skills, broaden your experience and create a rewarding long-term career within a respected and progressive veterinary practice.

Benefits (Subject to Pro-Rata Eligibility) Work-Life Balance & Wellbeing Enhanced annual leave package plus birthday leave Paid maternity, paternity and adoptive leave Paid bereavement leave Company sick pay Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Cycle to Work scheme Free flu vaccinations Professional Development €600 CPD allowance plus 3 paid CPD days (pro rata) Funded certificates, diplomas and PhDs Access to bespoke career development programmes, including Graduate Nurse Academy and Nurse Evolve Structured career progression pathways Leadership Academy for aspiring Head Nurses and Practice Managers Additional Benefits "Pawsome" perks, including retail discounts and virtual gym memberships Discounted veterinary care for your own pets Employer pension contributions Access to internal networks and communities, including LGBTQIA+, Wellbeing Champions, Nurse Committee and Clinical Board groups

Join Our Team If you're looking for a veterinary nursing role where you can grow your confidence, learn from experienced colleagues, enjoy a varied caseload and maintain a healthy work-life balance, we'd love to hear from you. Begin your veterinary nursing journey with O'Dowd Veterinary and become part of a passionate team making a real difference every day.

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