2 answers
Annika
Student
Anderson, South Carolina
1
Question
Updated
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What are the benefits and downsides of becoming a veterinary technician instead of a veterinarian, other than the money difference?
I plan on going to vet school, but I'm wondering if I should become a vet tech instead, as it takes much less school, time, and money.
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2 answers
Amie Wagner
Veterinary Technician
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amie’s Answer
I'll keep it short. Vet Techs more with animals than people. Vets deal more with people than animals.
Skip Jack
4
Answers
Starkville, Mississippi
Updated
Skip’s Answer
Annika,
You ask a great question. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the answer depends upon your life goals, aptitudes, and perseverance. To become a vet tech takes several years (varies somewhat from state to state). To become a D.V.M. requires at least 7-8 years (pre-vet undergrad studies and then 4+ years or veterinary school). Most new DVM graduates have fairly extensive debt load. As a vet tech, you can enter the workforce much quicker with less debt. As a DVM you are trained to diagnose diseases, prescribe medications, and perform surgery. As a vet technologist, you work along side a veterinarian, doing many treatments, observing /preparing patients and providing nursing care for animals. Admittance to veterinary technology programs can be somewhat restrictive (i.e. not all applicants may be admitted), but admittance to veterinary school is EXTREMELY more competitive. Last year at my veterinary college, we had nearly 2000 applicants, but could only accept around 120 people.
S. W. Jack, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D.
You ask a great question. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the answer depends upon your life goals, aptitudes, and perseverance. To become a vet tech takes several years (varies somewhat from state to state). To become a D.V.M. requires at least 7-8 years (pre-vet undergrad studies and then 4+ years or veterinary school). Most new DVM graduates have fairly extensive debt load. As a vet tech, you can enter the workforce much quicker with less debt. As a DVM you are trained to diagnose diseases, prescribe medications, and perform surgery. As a vet technologist, you work along side a veterinarian, doing many treatments, observing /preparing patients and providing nursing care for animals. Admittance to veterinary technology programs can be somewhat restrictive (i.e. not all applicants may be admitted), but admittance to veterinary school is EXTREMELY more competitive. Last year at my veterinary college, we had nearly 2000 applicants, but could only accept around 120 people.
S. W. Jack, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D.