Ireland faces veterinary nursing retention crisis, Oireachtas Committee told by IVNA

Ireland’s veterinary nursing profession is facing a significant retention crisis, with new research indicating that nearly 76% of nurses are considering leaving their roles, prompting warnings about the future of animal welfare and clinical standards.

The findings, from a soon to be published 2026 survey by the Irish Veterinary Nursing Association (IVNA), point to sustained workforce pressures among the State’s approximately 1,200 Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs), driven by low pay, burnout, and limited career progression.

The issue has also been raised at political level, with the IVNA recently appearing before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food to outline concerns about staffing shortages and regulatory enforcement.

The IVNA says it will publish the full survey results in the coming weeks – key findings will include:

• 76% of veterinary nurses are considering leaving the profession.
• Average annual pay is €36,800, despite degree-level qualifications and clinical responsibilities.
• 57.14% report unqualified individuals carrying out veterinary nursing duties, despite legal protections on the title.
• 42% have concerns about declining standards of care linked to workforce shortages.

Under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, veterinary nursing is a regulated profession, with responsibilities spanning anaesthesia monitoring, surgical assistance, diagnostics, and client care.

The IVNA has warned that the reported use of unqualified staff raises questions about enforcement and patient safety.

“Veterinary nurses are essential to the delivery of safe and effective animal healthcare, yet many feel unable to sustain a long-term career in the profession,” said IVNA Chairperson Kellie Fagan. “This is fundamentally a retention issue, with implications not just for the profession, but for animal welfare and public confidence.”

The profession is also overwhelmingly female, accounting for 97% of the workforce, with most aged between 20 and 30. The IVNA argues this raises broader questions about the valuation of skilled, predominantly female professions within the healthcare system.

Despite continued demand for veterinary nursing courses, the association has warned that the loss of experienced practitioners could have a disproportionate impact on rural veterinary services.

The IVNA says it is calling for a series of measures, including:

• Enforcement of title protection to prevent unqualified practice.
• A structured pay and career progression framework.
• Greater representation for veterinary nurses on the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
• Implementation of recommendations set out in the Veterinary Council’s 2024 Workforce Report.

“If current trends continue, the State risks training highly skilled professionals only to lose them from the workforce,” Ms Fagan said.