Employer: North Park Veterinary Group Limited
Location: North Tawton, Devon
Salary: Salary up to £35,000 depending on experience
Closing date: 3 Nov 2025
Phone: 07711 919914
Ready to lead with purpose, while staying hands-on in a team where your skills, ideas, and leadership truly matter?
Join North Park Vets in beautiful Devon and take the next step in your career as our Head Nurse, leading a talented nursing team while remaining fully involved in day-to-day clinical life.
About us
North Park Vets has been caring for pets, farms, and families since 1947. Over the decades, we’ve grown from a small farm-focused practice into a busy, multi-site mixed practice with our main branch in North Tawton and fully equipped surgeries in Okehampton and Hatherleigh. Our independence means we can stay true to our values: great care, teamwork, and listening to the people who make it all work – our team.
Our small animal work now accounts for over 50% of our diverse caseload, which includes everything from routine vaccinations and check-ups to orthopaedic procedures, such as cruciate or fracture repairs. Our six small animal vets bring a wealth of expertise to the team, including certificates in surgery and medicine, alongside further qualifications such as acupuncture, enabling us to provide tailored, high-quality care to every patient.
However, what truly makes North Park special is our team spirit. We’re a tight-knit bunch who always have each other’s backs, both in and out of work. This autumn, the team is rallying together for the Autumn Activity Accumulator, taking on challenges from running, cycling, walking, rowing, riding, swimming, lifting, and even dancing, to raise money for a cause close to our hearts, Young Lives vs Cancer. This is a genuine reflection of the supportive culture you’ll find here.
About the Role: Head Nurse
We’re looking for an experienced, compassionate, and hands-on Head Nurse to inspire and guide our nursing team. You’ll balance leadership with active clinical work – mentoring, supporting, and developing the team while staying at the heart of patient care. You’ll be central to maintaining our high standards of nursing care, supporting staff development, and ensuring smooth daily operations across all three branches.
Collaboration and support are central to our culture. As Head Nurse, you’ll lead by example, fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their skills and ideas.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Lead, support, and mentor the nursing team
- Develop and maintain nursing standards and protocols
- Coordinate rotas and oversee smooth day-to-day operations
- Run clinics and carry out hands-on nursing duties alongside the team
- Support in-patient management and out-of-hours care
- Champion professional development and encourage further training or certificates
Meet the Nursing Team
You’ll be leading a skilled and motivated nursing team with a wide range of interests and expertise:
Jody – loves running nurse clinics and is a valued clinical coach. Currently on maternity leave, returning early 2026.
Lisa – another clinical coach, supporting students in developing their skills.
Andrew – trained with us and enjoys all aspects of his role. Lucy – passionate about radiography, lab work, and inpatient care.
Katie – focuses on anaesthesia and loves being hands-on in theatre.
Katie H – completed her degree placements with us and joined full-time after qualifying in 2024. Sadly, she will be leaving later this year due to transport difficulties and will be greatly missed by the team.
Beth – nearing the end of her training, due to qualify in Spring 2026.
Esmee – in her first year of training, bringing enthusiasm and curiosity. As Head Nurse, you’ll be part of this supportive and collaborative team, shaping the role to suit your leadership style while remaining actively involved in clinical care. We actively encourage everyone to develop their skills and follow their passions, whether that’s running clinics, specialising in particular fields, or pursuing a certificate, all of which are fully supported and funded by the practice.
Curious what it’s really like to work here?
We asked our nursing team to share their thoughts on being part of North Park Vets. Here’s what they said:
“What I enjoy most about working here is the friendly, supportive team.”
“As a nurse, it’s great to be part of a workplace where everyone gets on so well and we can all work together to help each other day to day.”
“Friendly team.”
“Work-life balance.”
“Meaningful, satisfying work.”
“Friendly, appreciative clients.”
“Good work relationships.”
“Opportunities/responsibilities.”
“Doesn’t feel like clients are on a conveyor belt.”
“Enjoy watching the progression of trainee nurses/VCAs.”
“Progression of the practice in keeping up with new technology, etc.”
“Personal loyalty.”
“Stability.”
“Good area to raise a family.”
The Rota & Hours
You’ll rotate across our three branches (North Tawton, Okehampton, and Hatherleigh), giving you a full understanding of the practice, the chance to build relationships with clients, and the ability to support the team where needed. All sites are just around 8 miles apart, roughly a 15-minute drive, forming a convenient triangle for easy travel.
Shifts: 8.30–17.30 or 9.00–18.00, Monday–Friday, plus only 1 in 6 Saturday mornings.
Out-of-Hours: 1 in 6 nights/weekends on-call to support the duty vet with in-patients and emergencies. Mileage is paid for OOH travel, and you’ll get Friday afternoon off following your weekend on-call.
Looking ahead: We’re aiming to reduce the OOH commitment to 1 in 7 from early 2026, giving the team even more balance. This rota allows you to lead effectively while remaining hands-on in clinical practice, maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
The Local Area
Our corner of Devon is genuinely something special. Nestled between the wild beauty of Dartmoor and the stunning coastline, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy, from hiking, trail running, cycling, and dog walking to catching a wave on your surfboard. The area is also rich in community life, with clubs and activities catering to every interest, including rugby, netball, hockey, and even longsword fighting (yes, really!).
Come Carnival season, the towns and villages come alive with parades, events, and local celebrations, so there’s always something happening to enjoy with friends or family.
What We Offer
The chance to thrive in a supportive, independent practice, plus a generous package including:
- Salary up to £35,000 depending on experience
- 5.6 weeks holiday, including bank holidays (time in lieu if worked)
- CPD encouraged, with certificates supported and funded
- Professional fees paid for RCVS, VDS, and BVNA
- Company pension: 4.5% employer contribution
- Private health insurance (after probation)
- Enhanced sick pay
- A welcoming, close-knit team with a supportive culture
- Regular social events and strong links to the local community
If you’re looking for a Head Nurse role where you can lead with confidence, grow with support, and stay hands-on in a collaborative team, we’d love to hear from you.