APPROXIMATELY 15 per cent of veterinary nursing students currently enrolled with the RCVS are training through the higher education system, rather than following the traditional practice-based route, and there are now six universities offering degree courses in veterinary nursing. Degree students are required to complete blocks of work experience in veterinary practices and, as such, practices may find themselves being approached either by the universities, or directly by the students, to provide work placements. In this article, Sally Bowden explains what is involved and outlines some considerations for the practice.