Question: is a veterinary nurse the same as a veterinary technician

Answer: Yes, In the majority of anglophone countries, paraveterinary workers with a formal scope of practice, and a degree of autonomy in their role, are known as veterinary nurses. The primary exception to this is in North America, where both the United States and Canada refer to these workers as veterinary (or animal health) technicians or technologists. http://www.navta.net/page/VeterinaryNurse