3 answers
Laina
Student
Lebanon, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Asked
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Why do most people not take veterinary as a job and back out most times?
I’m curious to see why because i would love this as a job.
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3 answers
Megan McCoy
Career Coach
140
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Laina,
There is a very serious mental health crisis in the vet world right now. There are more pets than there are vets which causes burnout. People are desperately needed to go into the vet field.
Being a vet is very hard because you are dealing with sick animals where people can not afford the care. People get upset that they can not afford the care for their pets and blame the vet for not helping. Obviously, if the vet is not getting paid they could not be in business.
It takes a toll on your mental health when you are working a stressful, busy, and sometimes sad job. There is a lot of effort being put into helping those in the pet industry get more support and help.
It is a hard job but rewarding.
I hope this helps answer your question!
There is a very serious mental health crisis in the vet world right now. There are more pets than there are vets which causes burnout. People are desperately needed to go into the vet field.
Being a vet is very hard because you are dealing with sick animals where people can not afford the care. People get upset that they can not afford the care for their pets and blame the vet for not helping. Obviously, if the vet is not getting paid they could not be in business.
It takes a toll on your mental health when you are working a stressful, busy, and sometimes sad job. There is a lot of effort being put into helping those in the pet industry get more support and help.
It is a hard job but rewarding.
I hope this helps answer your question!
Lindsey Pitman
Veterinary Technician/Practice Manager
8
Answers
Red Oak, Texas
Updated
Lindsey’s Answer
Hi there!
As a veterinary technician/practice manager who has been a part of the industry for 16 years, it can be very rewarding but is also very straining on my mental health. When I first started thinking about entering the vet field, it was because I was very shy and related to animals better than people. In fact, I got involved in animal medicine because 'I didn't want to deal with people', but I learned eventually that you have to make an impact on the people more so than their pets. Once the client/owner trusts you, then your experience is better. Veterinary professionals tend to work 2-3 times as much as human health professionals because the pay is not enough. You hear a lot about veterinarians and technicians pulling 'extra shifts' or taking 'relief shifts' to help have money for food, gas or to make ends meet. Right now, there are a lot of privately owned veterinary practices that are being purchased by corporations or private equity firms because it is difficult for the veterinarians to retire and those companies have the means to purchase the practice and allow the veterinarians to relinquish their ownership and responsibilities without a lot of hassle. When getting into the field, you need to understand that you will constantly be learning and sometimes re-learning things you didn't know or thought you knew. It is also important to retain as much knowledge as possible because there will be times that you will know how to fix something that others do not. Always remember to never stay too idle in the clinic, there is always something to clean. I hope this helps and good luck to you!
As a veterinary technician/practice manager who has been a part of the industry for 16 years, it can be very rewarding but is also very straining on my mental health. When I first started thinking about entering the vet field, it was because I was very shy and related to animals better than people. In fact, I got involved in animal medicine because 'I didn't want to deal with people', but I learned eventually that you have to make an impact on the people more so than their pets. Once the client/owner trusts you, then your experience is better. Veterinary professionals tend to work 2-3 times as much as human health professionals because the pay is not enough. You hear a lot about veterinarians and technicians pulling 'extra shifts' or taking 'relief shifts' to help have money for food, gas or to make ends meet. Right now, there are a lot of privately owned veterinary practices that are being purchased by corporations or private equity firms because it is difficult for the veterinarians to retire and those companies have the means to purchase the practice and allow the veterinarians to relinquish their ownership and responsibilities without a lot of hassle. When getting into the field, you need to understand that you will constantly be learning and sometimes re-learning things you didn't know or thought you knew. It is also important to retain as much knowledge as possible because there will be times that you will know how to fix something that others do not. Always remember to never stay too idle in the clinic, there is always something to clean. I hope this helps and good luck to you!
Nirah Shomer, DVM PhD DACLAM
Senior leader in laboratory animal science, animal welfare, and regulatory compliance
49
Answers
Updated
Nirah’s Answer
Hello, Laina. I'm not certain why you believe that most people give up on becoming a veterinarian, but that's definitely not true. In fact, most individuals who enroll in veterinary school successfully complete their studies and become veterinarians. Gaining admission to vet school is extremely difficult, but once accepted, most students graduate and pursue careers as vets. Many veterinary schools boast graduation rates of over 95%.
It is accurate, however, that burnout is a prevalent issue for veterinarians, as it is for those in other medical professions. There is currently a shortage of both vets and nurses due to burnout. Compassion fatigue significantly affects veterinarians, nurses, and physicians alike. Additionally, there is a scarcity of veterinary technicians. The number of schools offering accredited vet tech programs is dwindling, and vet techs may experience burnout quickly or discover that they can earn higher salaries in related fields (for example, working in a lab instead of a clinic).
If you have a passion for animals and are considering a career as a veterinarian, I encourage you to pursue it. Just keep in mind from the beginning that it's a demanding field, and you'll need to prioritize your own physical and mental well-being in this challenging profession.
It is accurate, however, that burnout is a prevalent issue for veterinarians, as it is for those in other medical professions. There is currently a shortage of both vets and nurses due to burnout. Compassion fatigue significantly affects veterinarians, nurses, and physicians alike. Additionally, there is a scarcity of veterinary technicians. The number of schools offering accredited vet tech programs is dwindling, and vet techs may experience burnout quickly or discover that they can earn higher salaries in related fields (for example, working in a lab instead of a clinic).
If you have a passion for animals and are considering a career as a veterinarian, I encourage you to pursue it. Just keep in mind from the beginning that it's a demanding field, and you'll need to prioritize your own physical and mental well-being in this challenging profession.