What factors influence the perceptions of job satisfaction in Registered Veterinary Nurses, currently working in veterinary Practice, in the United Kingdom?

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is dedicated to empowering Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN) and ensuring that they are valued members of the workforce within the United Kingdom. However, this is not always reflected by the RVN 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 analysed using a mixed-methods design to determine current factors affecting job satisfaction utilising a deductive and inductive approach. The questionnaire reached 205 RVN that were currently working in practice within the United Kingdom and 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 overall satisfaction of RVN. Focus is needed on support and communication within veterinary practices, support for appropriate delegation, linked to recognition of their role, and support from educators to prepare students for the role of the RVN. Although the questionnaire did not reach the targeted sample size responses were in line with previous data indicating that changes that may been made to the roles of RVN in the United Kingdom have not improved job satisfaction scores sufficiently.