Veterinary Nursing: What Really Happens on the Frontline
Episode 1 of Under the Fur | Vanessa & Mel
Veterinary nursing is often misunderstood.
From the outside, people may imagine cuddling puppies, helping in consults and assisting vets during routine appointments. But behind the scenes, veterinary nurses are often the ones holding everything together during emergencies, night shifts, difficult cases and the unpredictable moments that never make it to social media.
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Calum Marshall, a highly experienced veterinary nurse, to talk about what life on the frontline of veterinary care is really like.
From Shelter Medicine to Veterinary Nursing
Calum began his veterinary nursing journey at just 17, training at The Mayhew Animal Home in North London.
Rather than starting in a typical first-opinion practice, Calum’s early experience came through shelter medicine, community outreach and hands-on work with animals in challenging environments. From dealing with difficult cases to visiting high-rise buildings for outreach work, his training gave him a very real introduction to the unpredictability of veterinary nursing.
That early exposure helped shape the nurse he became: calm under pressure, practical, adaptable and ready for almost anything.
Learning Fast Under Pressure
After training, Calum went on to work in emergency and out-of-hours care, including time at Vets Now.
Emergency work meant learning quickly. On one of his first shifts, he was thrown straight into a serious surgical case involving a septic abdomen and had to work out how to support the patient under intense pressure.
For many veterinary nurses, this is the reality of the job. You do not always get time to feel ready. You learn by doing, by watching, by reacting and by staying calm when everything around you is moving fast.
The Reality of Night Shifts
Calum also talks about the unique experience of working night shifts in veterinary care.
While night work can be intense, it can also be one of the best ways to learn. Nurses are often exposed to a wide range of emergencies and have to think creatively, solve problems quickly and support both the veterinary team and worried owners through difficult moments.
From critical cases to unexpected situations, Calum’s stories show just how much veterinary nurses carry, especially when the rest of the world is asleep.
Why Veterinary Nurses Matter
This episode is a reminder that veterinary nurses are not simply “helping in the background.”
They are monitoring anaesthetics, comforting patients, supporting owners, managing emergencies, thinking ahead, improvising when needed and often noticing the small changes that can make a huge difference to an animal’s outcome.
Final Thoughts
Calum’s story offers an honest, funny and eye-opening look at what veterinary nursing really involves.
From shelter work and emergency shifts to unforgettable cases and the lessons learned under pressure, this episode celebrates the people working on the frontline of veterinary care.
Because vet nurses do not just assist.
They see everything.
They carry a lot.
And they are essential to the heart of veterinary medicine.
Listen to the full episode of Under the Fur with Calum Marshall.
