What Factors Influence the Perceptions of Job Satisfaction in Registered Veterinary Nurses Currently Working in Veterinary Practice in the United Kingdom?

Abstract

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is dedicated to empowering registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) and ensuring that they are valued members of the workforce within the United Kingdom. However, this is not always reported by the RVNs themselves, who state that although they derive satisfaction from working with animals and within a profession that makes a difference, there are areas in which they are not currently satisfied, such as pay scale and recognition. Responses to a questionnaire were analyzed using a mixed-methods design to determine current factors affecting job satisfaction utilizing a deductive and inductive approach. The questionnaire reached 205 RVNs currently working in practice within the UK; respondents were divided between remaining at their current practice (n = 101) and finding alternative employment (n = 80). Those who stated that they were happy in their job role were more likely to want to remain there. Themes relating to positive and negative job satisfaction were reported and used to devise strategies employers and employees could use to increase or maintain RVNs' overall satisfaction. More focus is needed on support and communication within veterinary practices, support for appropriate delegation linked to recognition of the RVN role, and support from educators to prepare students for the RVN role. Although the questionnaire did not reach the targeted sample size, responses agree with previous data indicating that changes made to the RVN role in the UK have not sufficiently improved job satisfaction scores.