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Veterinary Work Experience
The Zoological Society of London is offering ‘work experience’ (WE) placements at ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo for veterinary nurses and trainee veterinary nurses during the summer July – September 2008.
Each WE placement will be for a two-week period (Mon-Fri.only) there will be a total of five successive placements at ZSL London Zoo and five at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
The placements offer a unique opportunity for veterinary nurses and trainee VN’s to gain work experience within the Zoo environment, working full time with wild animals (and some domestic ones too!). The first week will give an insight into the day–to–day husbandry and care of in-patients; new arrival quarantines and sick animals undergoing treatment and the second will be more clinically based. Whilst zoo work can be very exciting and challenging and we do deal with many different species, it is well worth remembering that whilst some days may be full of clinical procedures, others are quiet and give us the opportunity to stock up and catch up on paper work. It can be very unpredictable and varied work, which keeps it interesting but this does mean that we can never guarantee what you will get to see during your placement.
Applications for summer 2008 placements have now closed, but applications for 2009 placements will begin later in the year.
Please be aware that we are unable to offer work experience placement for non vet nurses but it is possible to gain work experience with the keepers and more information on this can be found in our volunteering section.
Claire Maher Work Experience with Veterinary Nurses 2006
“I thoroughly enjoyed my two week work experience placement with the Veterinary Department at ZSL London Zoo. Everyday was varied and exciting giving me the chance to nurse an array of animals many of them rare, some endangered and certainly very few of which I would have the opportunity to see in general practice.
It was wonderful to have the opportunity to work with the veterinary team at the zoo, all of whom having a vast amount of experience and knowledge and all only too happy to answer any of my questions and help me to learn some new skills in the nursing of wild animals.
Not only did I gain invaluable experience during the time I spent at ZSL London Zoo but it also showed me the possibilities of where a career in veterinary nursing could lead me in the future.”
