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Vet assistant vs veterinary nurse

The differences between vet assistants and veterinary nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a veterinary nurse has an average salary of $34,511, which is higher than the $30,687 average annual salary of a vet assistant.

The top three skills for a vet assistant include PET, patients and exam rooms. The most important skills for a veterinary nurse are patients, patient care, and PET.

Vet assistant vs veterinary nurse overview

VET AssistantVeterinary Nurse
Yearly salary$30,687$34,511
Hourly rate$14.75$16.59
Growth rate19%20%
Number of jobs6,59117,000
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age2932
Years of experience-12

Vet assistant vs veterinary nurse salary

Vet assistants and veterinary nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

VET AssistantVeterinary Nurse
Average salary$30,687$34,511
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $38,000Between $26,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyMichigan State UniversityCVS Health
Best paying industryManufacturingHealth Care

Differences between vet assistant and veterinary nurse education

There are a few differences between a vet assistant and a veterinary nurse in terms of educational background:

VET AssistantVeterinary Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeOhio State UniversityUniversity of Florida

Vet assistant vs veterinary nurse demographics

Here are the differences between vet assistants' and veterinary nurses' demographics:

VET AssistantVeterinary Nurse
Average age2932
Gender ratioMale, 16.1% Female, 83.9%Male, 14.8% Female, 85.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.2% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%9%

Differences between vet assistant and veterinary nurse duties and responsibilities

Vet assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage tech appointments, suture removal, bandage removal and placement, CPR and emergency care when need.
  • Provide care of hospitalize animals taking vital signs, administer medications and explaining discharge medications to pet owners.
  • Monitor multiple patients in ICU.
  • Assist in triage, gathering medical history and client education.
  • Qualify to administer medications, perform blood draws, proper radiology techniques and all other aspects of a veterinary technician.
  • Provide exceptional veterinary care to companion animal patients, while professionally serving clients and pet owners.
  • Show more

Veterinary nurse example responsibilities.

  • Place intravenous catheters manage iv lines and medication administration.
  • Monitor anesthesia and first-assist in surgical procedures -assist doctors in filling prescriptions, communicating with pet owners, and monitoring patients.
  • Prepare oxygen, fluid and catheter equipment for routine use and emergency situations.
  • Administer vaccinations, medications, catheter placement, surgery assisting and monitoring.
  • Collect laboratory speciments and run routine tests.place IV catheters and monitor fluids.
  • Prepare surgical suites, monitor anesthesia, maintain and sterilize equipment, recording patient history, prescription and laboratory information.
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Vet assistant vs veterinary nurse skills

Common vet assistant skills
  • PET, 34%
  • Patients, 24%
  • Exam Rooms, 12%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Compassion, 4%
  • Customer Service, 3%
Common veterinary nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • PET, 8%
  • Catheter, 6%
  • Medical Procedures, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%

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