Senior Vet Nurse | VetSouth Invercargill

Senior Vet Nurse
Invercargill - Southland, New Zealand
Full time – 12 Month Fixed Term

At VetSouth, our nurses are a huge part of what makes our clinics great, and we’re looking for a highly experienced Veterinary Nurse to join our Invercargill Companion Animal team on a 12month parental leave cover. This is a senior role that demands real depth of experience — someone who has operated independently, is comfortable in surgery, and understands the demands of on-call work. If you’re a confident, seasoned nurse who can hit the ground running and wants to work somewhere your skills are genuinely valued, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re proud to be a New Zealand–owned veterinary group with strong local roots and a genuine focus on people, animals, and community.

\n
• A supportive team culture that values collaboration and wellbeing.
\n
• $1,500 per year to use toward CPD, plus 25% toward wellbeing.
\n
• Ongoing training, mentoring, and support to keep your skills growing.
\n
• Great staff benefits, including generous discounts and wellbeing support.
\n
• Career pathways across our wider veterinary network of 50+ clinics.
\n

This is a 12-month fixed-term position covering parental leave, and it’s not an entry-level role. We need someone who brings proven, hands‑on experience across surgical nursing, independent consults, and on‑call work — someone who can step in with confidence, take real ownership of clinical standards, and support the wider nursing team from day one.

\n
• Surgical nursing — from prep and anaesthesia induction through to monitoring, recovery, and post‑op care
\n
• Coaching and mentoring junior nurses and supporting day‑to‑day workflow
\n
• Running independent nurse consults with confidence, including client education, follow‑up care, and treatment planning within your scope
\n
• Collecting and submitting diagnostic samples
\n
• Digital radiography and imaging
\n
• Fluid therapy and IV catheter placement
\n
• Participating in the on‑call roster, handling after‑hours cases with professionalism and sound clinical judgement
\n

\n
• Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent).
\n
• 3+ years’ hands‑on experience as a Veterinary Nurse — this is non‑negotiable.
\n
• Proven surgical nursing experience — you’re comfortable running a surgical list from start to finish.
\n
• Strong communication and client‑care skills.
\n
• A calm, organised approach and the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
\n
• Experience with independent nurse consults and comfort working autonomously.
\n
• Familiarity with on‑call responsibilities and the ability to handle after‑hours cases with confidence.
\n

Recent graduates will not be considered.