Quick response for you....I have been a veterinarian for over 11 years. I have never looked back. I think you need to decide if you want to work on people or work with people. Nurses are great. They are supposed to be patients advocates. If a nurse says anything to a Dr,though, they get put down in most cases. In most veterinary hospitals, we are all here to the well being of the animals. You will not drive a porsche, have a 50' yacht, and live the lavish life style of beverly hills. You will have debt, headaches, clients that are difficult, and dreams of just going home. At the end of the day, you will still love your job and what you are able to do with your degree.
long story short, if you are working at a veterinary hospital and are still confused, then you are not working at the correct hospital. You need an upbeat, fun, positive experience to give you that extra drive to get in and complete veterinary school. find that and you will have your decision made.
G. Alaluf
of CA
@
Oct 30, 2009 17:59:03 PM
been there, done that
Doc of WY is correct...the jobs for veterinarians are predominantly in the rural setting and/or the public health areas (slaughterhouse inspections!), or at the humane society (...euthanizing, among other things).
Registered Vet Technicians (RVT) can write their own ticket anywhere, but veterinarians have to find a job or start their own practice. You have no guarantee of being able to live in the town or state you want to live in, the hours are long, and the pay is horrible. The stress is huge because the animals get sick and not everybody has money to run the proper diagnostic tests or do the needed surgeries. More and more, the practice of medicine is going corporate, with "guidelines" as to how you treat the patients, and following their rules. It can be extremely rewarding and even fun, but you really need to find a specialty.
Nursing would allow you a nice work environment and benefits, and a rewarding career with high demand and ability to work where you want to because of the high demand. i don't know what nurses make per hour, an RVT can make $10 to $20/hour, depending on the responsibilities and the practice, and does not require that much investment in education or time, without all the stress of being a vet. The RVT's get to do the fun stuff including the animal caretaking and actual 'nursing', or they could be hospital managers. RVT's don't always get good benefits, and the work environment isn't always all that great.
Doc2
of CA
@
Oct 17, 2009 18:49:05 PM
Misleading
This article is a bit misleading, in that most of the openings and vacancies in veterinary medicine are NOT for what most urbanites/suburbanites think of as "veterinarians" - the jobs are in FOOD ANIMAL/RURAL practice and in governmental practices (public health, food safety, regulatory issues, etc.). This is where the field really needs new veterinarians - there are plenty of small animal practitioners to take care of Fluffy and Fido. It's a very rewarding career regardless, and you have the chance to make a real positive impact in your community, but you WILL NEVER GET RICH!
Doc
of WY
@
Oct 12, 2009 16:41:22 PM
You're on the right track.
Volunteering in both settings is an excellent way to gain insight to make your decision...and don't let other people persuade you one way or the other. You will live with your decision, not them. There are definate perks and draw backs to both careers. Make sure you have a good understanding of what each job is really like and make sure your expectations are in line with reality. For example, vets often work long hours and weekends, nurses often work 10-12 hour shifts. Don't forget to think about the details.
Insa Deng
of MO
@
Oct 01, 2009 16:20:55 PM
confused
I don't know if I want to be a veterinarian..or a nurse. I'm in a community college right now (first year) and I can either get my associates degree in pre-vet medicine, and then transfer into UC Davis ect. OR I can fulfill all the pre-requisites for nursing and then transfer into UCLA, UCSD ect. ect.
I love animals (unconditionally, absolutely) and would love to help them. But I love people too and would love to help them as well.
Currently I'm volunteering at a hospital to figure it out..but I still feel super confused. A lot of people tell me nursing has a way, way better pay, but I don't want to base my decision on that.
Help? Please & Thank You
Andrea M.
of CA
@
Sep 29, 2009 00:35:58 AM
im tired
i want to go home
rob
of NV
@
Sep 11, 2009 15:30:12 PM
Wow...
Wow!I never thought it would be that great...
codie Hill
of IL
@
Sep 11, 2009 14:47:19 PM
reply to Bob from WA
Bob from WA...you're an idiot. The comment that veterinary school produces unethical, money-hungry people is the most ignorant, unfounded, unintelligent, rude comment I have heard in a long time. Did you not read the article and read what the average salary is for a veterinarian with 8 years experience (75k roughly)??? Did you not read that other posters are stating they are in debt to the tune of $200k??? Do the math...to me that does not add up to "people who are after the cash." I haven't met a single veterinarian who is rich and doesn't care about an animal's well-being.
ps: I'm a veterinarian of 12 yrs and I am still paying off my debt...
AM
of IL
@
Aug 26, 2009 14:57:22 PM
euthanasia
Veterinary schools do terminal surgeries on perfectly healthy animals from local shelters, for teaching purposes. If your conscience doesn't bother you, you don't really have compassion for animals. So veterinary school produces people who are after the cash, not the animals' ethical treatment.
G. Alaluf of CA @ Oct 30, 2009 17:59:03 PM
Doc2 of CA @ Oct 17, 2009 18:49:05 PM
Doc of WY @ Oct 12, 2009 16:41:22 PM
Insa Deng of MO @ Oct 01, 2009 16:20:55 PM
Andrea M. of CA @ Sep 29, 2009 00:35:58 AM
rob of NV @ Sep 11, 2009 15:30:12 PM
codie Hill of IL @ Sep 11, 2009 14:47:19 PM
AM of IL @ Aug 26, 2009 14:57:22 PM
Bob of WA @ Aug 25, 2009 16:33:52 PM
Mhwpocky of WA @ Jul 14, 2009 22:52:14 PM
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