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Veterinary technician assistant vs veterinary nurse

The differences between veterinary technician assistants and veterinary nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a veterinary technician assistant and a veterinary nurse. Additionally, a veterinary technician assistant has an average salary of $39,025, which is higher than the $34,511 average annual salary of a veterinary nurse.

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

Veterinary technician assistant vs veterinary nurse overview

Veterinary Technician AssistantVeterinary Nurse
Yearly salary$39,025$34,511
Hourly rate$18.76$16.59
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs35,33817,000
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age3232
Years of experience1212

Veterinary technician assistant vs veterinary nurse salary

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

Veterinary Technician AssistantVeterinary Nurse
Average salary$39,025$34,511
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $49,000Between $26,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityBakersfield, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyUniversity of Wisconsin SystemCVS Health
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between veterinary technician assistant and veterinary nurse education

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

Veterinary Technician AssistantVeterinary Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeOhio State UniversityUniversity of Florida

Veterinary technician assistant vs veterinary nurse demographics

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

Veterinary Technician AssistantVeterinary Nurse
Average age3232
Gender ratioMale, 16.8% Female, 83.2%Male, 14.8% Female, 85.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between veterinary technician assistant and veterinary nurse duties and responsibilities

Veterinary technician assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage tech appointments, suture removal, bandage removal and placement, CPR and emergency care when need.
  • Prepare patients for surgical procedures by executing blood draws and catheter placement.
  • Provide compassion and understanding to clients with end of life decisions and euthanasia.
  • Kennel work, vet assistance with surgeries, iv fluids, med dispensing and restraining animals
  • Assist Dr. and RVT's with collecting patient histories, obtaining TPR, and restraining patients.
  • General practice, assisting DVM with literally everything in a small one doctor, one technician practice.
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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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Veterinary technician assistant vs veterinary nurse skills

Common veterinary technician assistant skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • PET, 17%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Anesthesia, 5%
  • Catheter, 5%
  • Lab Tests, 4%
Common veterinary nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • PET, 8%
  • Catheter, 6%
  • Medical Procedures, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%

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