Should I stay or should I go? Allied veterinary professional retention in Aotearoa New Zealand
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Authors
Rutherford, Margie
Harvey, Laura
Cameron, Kristie
Harvey, Laura
Cameron, Kristie
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2025-11-06
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Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation
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Keyword
Aotearoa
New Zealand
veterinary nurses
career satisfaction
retaining employees
staff retention
surveys
New Zealand
veterinary nurses
career satisfaction
retaining employees
staff retention
surveys
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Rutherford, M., Harvey, L.C., & Cameron, K.E. (2025, November, 6). Should I stay or should I go? Allied veterinary professional retention in Aotearoa New Zealand [Poster presentation]. School of Environmental and Animal Sciences Research Symposium 2025, Auckland, New Zealand.
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/7049
Abstract
Veterinary nursing in Aotearoa is a relatively young profession, with formal registration frameworks only established in 2015. Despite its growing importance, retention of allied veterinary professionals (AVPs), including veterinary nurses, technologists, and animal healthcare assistants, remains a significant challenge. This study explores factors influencing retention, drawing on 181 survey responses, including 104 from AVPs currently in clinical practice. Respondents reported an average of eight years in practice, with many working full time and some holding multiple jobs. While many expressed satisfaction with patient care and teamwork, 36% reported moderate to low satisfaction, citing long hours, low pay, toxic environments, and limited career progression. Notably, 83 respondents had considered leaving clinical practice, and 74 had contemplated leaving the veterinary industry entirely. Key challenges included financial strain, lack of professional recognition, poor workplace culture, and limited mental health support. Despite these issues, many AVPs remained due to intrinsic motivators such as passion for animals and supportive teams. This research highlights a passionate yet strained workforce and underscores the need to better understand the systemic barriers impacting retention.
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