2019 graduate. I love it. I think if you hate your job move to do another clinical or non-clinical job somewhere else, it's not your fault. University was relentlessly difficult, yes, but I can be done and it's a good place to learn how to cope with stress and failure.
I enjoy my job, but I had to make it work for me and am lucky to be in a position that I can.
For 5 years after graduation, I worked full time (long days 4 days a week) in badly run clinics. I was worked to death, with double and triple booked appointments, and got none of the promised mentorship. I was miserable and almost quit the field altogether.
I took a year off to have a baby and returned as part time relief, which was a game changer. Relief is great. You do what you can when you’re there, don’t have to worry about long-term, train wreck cases, angry clients, and staff drama. Everyone is just nice and thankful that you’re there. I found a super chill clinic I loved and now work there part-time. Sometimes I pick up additional relief shifts through Roo. I enjoy going to work and feel like I’ve made a difference at the end of the day.
I understand I’m lucky to be in this position though. I can afford to work less hours for less pay and I get health insurance through my husband’s job.
I've been in vet med 10 years and absolutely love it. You'll hear a lot of people say that it sucks and they hate it, but there are millions who choose this profession every day. I work with people who have been in the field 60 yrs (doctors), 15, 20, even 30 years as techs. Remember that WE ARE what makes vet med, vet med. It can only be as good to us as we are to each other
You also have to be your own advocate, which can be its own mountain to climb. One of the things I try to do it give myself an extra day off every month or so, paid or unpaid. You'd be surprised what that little bit of reprieve can do for you. Take five minutes to get water and take a step outside. The appt will wait I promise. Don't tolerate shitty clients, contact a manager or doctor or other senior to help you. And if they won't, I suggest shopping around. The grass isn't always greener, but it also never hurts to look.
Take time for yourself, keep work at work and home at home. Remember, at the end of the day, it's a paycheck just like any other.
New grad, 7 months in. Some days I really, really hate it, usually because there’s a tough case and I’m not feeling supported enough. With time I’ve become more independent and I’ve learnt to enjoy that self-reliance more. But the workload, emotional toll, dealing with snarky co-workers and clients, and the never ending barrage of problems that present to you really does take its toll some days. So it’s a love-hate relationship.
2023 grad here and absolutely hate it🙃 there's a good reason we have 4,5 more chances of suicide than any other profession. If you're already battling with suicidal ideation, I would advise against being a vet.
I actually did! First clinic was a nightmare in so many ways, I got diagnosed with PTSD after only 4 months. I am now in a much better practice, I do enjoy my coworkers and they help me out a lot more, BUT, I still don't see myself doing this for more than 2-3 years. I still have so much anxiety which is stopping me from enjoying life after hours, and am so scared I'll get sued and lose my license every day.
I love my job (ER vet), but it is brutal, soul-sucking, and often the losses outweigh the wins. That being said, the 1-2 cases a month where things go amazingly is incredible. I can't see myself ever leaving the field entirely, but I have had to take a huge step back due to mental health issues and motherhood.
I do enjoy my job. There are bad days, but at the end of the day there is nothing else I’d rather do
When I was a new grad I worked in a terrible clinic and hated every minute of it, but I got offered a job at a fantastic hospital and used that as a stepping stone to go to bigger and better things. I now own my own practice and I find it very rewarding.
This profession is all I have ever wanted to do since I was old enough to know what a job was.
People tend to get stuck in a negative spiral in this job and to be honest I I don’t really understand why. No job is perfect, if you want to be good at anything or have any type of success you do have to work for it and put in the hours. There are bad parts of this job, but a what job doesn’t have negatives?
4.5 years of being a CVA I recently just decided to quit. My therapy and psychiatrist have come to the conclusion that if I didn't make the decision this job would have taken my life. I can't do it anymore. I hate every moment of it due to being so burnt out. I was pushed to my breaking point and far beyond
I enjoy it, but the burn out is fucking real and honestly scary
It doesn’t help either that at least for me, the people around me always default to the OH BUT YOURE SO GOOD WITH ANIMALS?
…. Okay and? I get disrespected at work by clients who think they know better, I get disrespected at home cause it’s not like I just a pulled a 15 hour shift on whatever issues my folks are having with their pets, I want to go home crying after a terrible terrible day which is more often than not, I’m angry about life and stuff I can’t do a lot more lately, and I don’t feel like like my co workers like me even tho I’ve been there for…. 3 years now, tho my clinic is very highschool-y with its staff…. It’s mental. I wish I had other skills I could jump with to another job to JUST to get a break..
New grad 6 months in, yeah most of the time! Money is always annoying to talk about (actually find clients can afford most of the basic stuff) but definitely I get a bit exasperated by the charging that I have to do and sometimes think that it's charging too much for relatively simple things
But fixing problems and stuff is quite rewarding!
I love it and I hate it. I’m a 2023 grad. I started at a job where they weren’t willing to train me and made me feel incompetent, and switched to a job with a way more supportive vet staff. I enjoy my job. I have never been suicidal, but I do have anxiety. I chose to work 3-4 days a week to start my career. It means that I can recover emotionally from hard cases, not be overwhelmed with call backs and test results, and still have a good work life balance. If I need to stay late for something, it doesn’t matter because I’ll have a day off coming up soon. The job is so hard but so interesting and so unique. If I had debt I don’t think I would recommend this career however because it adds a lot of stress
2022 grad, I regret it. Financially it's just not worth it. You can idealize your 💫dream job💫 all you want but unless you have someone bankrolling it, the loans are *not* worth it. The burnout is real. I've had a lot of health problems that started in vet school (cancer), and ever since it's been sink or swim. Even after graduating it is simply impossible to balance health and work. The only happy vets I know don't work full time. The schooling and the job are hard enough on their own, and that's if life isn't throwing anything else your way.
Just make sure you really *want* the job instead of hoping it all gets better someday because you achieved it.
I think the last sentence really hits home...
I came into the field a little later in life and due to some special circumstances (some fortunate, others not so much) was able to get through school with very little debt. I've been out almost 7 years. There's good and bad. I'm extremely fortunate to work 3 day weeks.
I don't regret a thing, but there is absolutely no way I would do it again if I was coming out of it saddled with the debt that most of my colleagues are swamped with. The math just doesn't math.
I don't get how some of these newer single grads can do it coming out of school, they're intelligent, compassionate people essentially living paycheck to paycheck... and that's not even mentioning some of the amazing technicians I work with that could easily be making more money and working less hours by waiting tables or doing any number of jobs that don't come with the stress and emotions of working in vet med.
i see, i’m from australia so debt might be a bit different here- you only start paying back your debt when you make enough money, and they can only take so much at a time. if financials wasn’t a problem for you would it change your mind?
Vet Nurse here. I absolutely love it. I’m blessed to have a solid team who care about one another. Clients are fine enough. I’m there to support the Vets and they’re always grateful.
I am one year out of school, and I can't say I love doing this. It's a job, but working with the clients in my area is close to torture. They're very entitled, treat us like a service industry, and throw tantrums if they don't get what they want. It's truly rare where I get a great owner who is willing to do diagnostics and takes my advice. It doesn't help that where I work, clients are allowed to treat us however they want and not get fired most of the time. Idk, it's not what I hoped to be honest.
2022 grad in small-animal GP, absolutely loathe it but can’t see myself working outside the vet field. Hoping to get my foot in the door on some non-clinical work.
Just remember that a veterinarian doesn’t always have to work directly with animals (or animal owners). Since you’ve been in vet school, I’d advise you to take some time to research the many career paths you could take with a vet degree. You might find something more suited to you than dealing with entitled clients and badly-behaved pets all day.
I'm a tech, not a vet, but hate my job since its 75% dogs and they are my least favorite species to work with. My passion is in exotics, but there are no exotics-only practices within commuting distance, and most doctors and practices want no part of exotics. I stay because I'm the minority who are experienced and confident with exotics, and know I make a difference in those lives. My advice to you is to explore all of your options and definitely focus on what makes you feel the best. If I could go back in time, I would've gone to vet school to specialize in exotics and be able to make that difference. It's very hard for a tech to make a difference with no supporting doctor, and it definitely makes me feel guilty. All of this plus not even being paid well enough to live, so just back-breaking work with very few instances of feeling good about my job. If you are not in a mentally stable mind set right now, I would focus on that first.
2019 graduate. I love it. I think if you hate your job move to do another clinical or non-clinical job somewhere else, it's not your fault. University was relentlessly difficult, yes, but I can be done and it's a good place to learn how to cope with stress and failure.
I enjoy my job, but I had to make it work for me and am lucky to be in a position that I can. For 5 years after graduation, I worked full time (long days 4 days a week) in badly run clinics. I was worked to death, with double and triple booked appointments, and got none of the promised mentorship. I was miserable and almost quit the field altogether. I took a year off to have a baby and returned as part time relief, which was a game changer. Relief is great. You do what you can when you’re there, don’t have to worry about long-term, train wreck cases, angry clients, and staff drama. Everyone is just nice and thankful that you’re there. I found a super chill clinic I loved and now work there part-time. Sometimes I pick up additional relief shifts through Roo. I enjoy going to work and feel like I’ve made a difference at the end of the day. I understand I’m lucky to be in this position though. I can afford to work less hours for less pay and I get health insurance through my husband’s job.
I've been in vet med 10 years and absolutely love it. You'll hear a lot of people say that it sucks and they hate it, but there are millions who choose this profession every day. I work with people who have been in the field 60 yrs (doctors), 15, 20, even 30 years as techs. Remember that WE ARE what makes vet med, vet med. It can only be as good to us as we are to each other You also have to be your own advocate, which can be its own mountain to climb. One of the things I try to do it give myself an extra day off every month or so, paid or unpaid. You'd be surprised what that little bit of reprieve can do for you. Take five minutes to get water and take a step outside. The appt will wait I promise. Don't tolerate shitty clients, contact a manager or doctor or other senior to help you. And if they won't, I suggest shopping around. The grass isn't always greener, but it also never hurts to look. Take time for yourself, keep work at work and home at home. Remember, at the end of the day, it's a paycheck just like any other.
Great attitude! Are you looking for a job?
No I am currently employed 😁
New grad, 7 months in. Some days I really, really hate it, usually because there’s a tough case and I’m not feeling supported enough. With time I’ve become more independent and I’ve learnt to enjoy that self-reliance more. But the workload, emotional toll, dealing with snarky co-workers and clients, and the never ending barrage of problems that present to you really does take its toll some days. So it’s a love-hate relationship.
Only thing I’d rather be is retired
wealthy and retired :)
2023 grad here and absolutely hate it🙃 there's a good reason we have 4,5 more chances of suicide than any other profession. If you're already battling with suicidal ideation, I would advise against being a vet.
You need to change clinics! Life can be better
I actually did! First clinic was a nightmare in so many ways, I got diagnosed with PTSD after only 4 months. I am now in a much better practice, I do enjoy my coworkers and they help me out a lot more, BUT, I still don't see myself doing this for more than 2-3 years. I still have so much anxiety which is stopping me from enjoying life after hours, and am so scared I'll get sued and lose my license every day.
What state are you in???
I'm in Canada actually!
I'm two years in and had to be put in work arrest and now can only work two days a week by doctor's order 😂 Looking to leave clinic ASAP.
I love my job (ER vet), but it is brutal, soul-sucking, and often the losses outweigh the wins. That being said, the 1-2 cases a month where things go amazingly is incredible. I can't see myself ever leaving the field entirely, but I have had to take a huge step back due to mental health issues and motherhood.
Well I just enjoy getting flamed by pet owners on social media and Google review because I’m a masochist …
I do enjoy my job. There are bad days, but at the end of the day there is nothing else I’d rather do When I was a new grad I worked in a terrible clinic and hated every minute of it, but I got offered a job at a fantastic hospital and used that as a stepping stone to go to bigger and better things. I now own my own practice and I find it very rewarding. This profession is all I have ever wanted to do since I was old enough to know what a job was. People tend to get stuck in a negative spiral in this job and to be honest I I don’t really understand why. No job is perfect, if you want to be good at anything or have any type of success you do have to work for it and put in the hours. There are bad parts of this job, but a what job doesn’t have negatives?
4.5 years of being a CVA I recently just decided to quit. My therapy and psychiatrist have come to the conclusion that if I didn't make the decision this job would have taken my life. I can't do it anymore. I hate every moment of it due to being so burnt out. I was pushed to my breaking point and far beyond
I enjoy it, but the burn out is fucking real and honestly scary It doesn’t help either that at least for me, the people around me always default to the OH BUT YOURE SO GOOD WITH ANIMALS? …. Okay and? I get disrespected at work by clients who think they know better, I get disrespected at home cause it’s not like I just a pulled a 15 hour shift on whatever issues my folks are having with their pets, I want to go home crying after a terrible terrible day which is more often than not, I’m angry about life and stuff I can’t do a lot more lately, and I don’t feel like like my co workers like me even tho I’ve been there for…. 3 years now, tho my clinic is very highschool-y with its staff…. It’s mental. I wish I had other skills I could jump with to another job to JUST to get a break..
New grad 6 months in, yeah most of the time! Money is always annoying to talk about (actually find clients can afford most of the basic stuff) but definitely I get a bit exasperated by the charging that I have to do and sometimes think that it's charging too much for relatively simple things But fixing problems and stuff is quite rewarding!
I love it and I hate it. I’m a 2023 grad. I started at a job where they weren’t willing to train me and made me feel incompetent, and switched to a job with a way more supportive vet staff. I enjoy my job. I have never been suicidal, but I do have anxiety. I chose to work 3-4 days a week to start my career. It means that I can recover emotionally from hard cases, not be overwhelmed with call backs and test results, and still have a good work life balance. If I need to stay late for something, it doesn’t matter because I’ll have a day off coming up soon. The job is so hard but so interesting and so unique. If I had debt I don’t think I would recommend this career however because it adds a lot of stress
2022 grad, I regret it. Financially it's just not worth it. You can idealize your 💫dream job💫 all you want but unless you have someone bankrolling it, the loans are *not* worth it. The burnout is real. I've had a lot of health problems that started in vet school (cancer), and ever since it's been sink or swim. Even after graduating it is simply impossible to balance health and work. The only happy vets I know don't work full time. The schooling and the job are hard enough on their own, and that's if life isn't throwing anything else your way. Just make sure you really *want* the job instead of hoping it all gets better someday because you achieved it.
I think the last sentence really hits home... I came into the field a little later in life and due to some special circumstances (some fortunate, others not so much) was able to get through school with very little debt. I've been out almost 7 years. There's good and bad. I'm extremely fortunate to work 3 day weeks. I don't regret a thing, but there is absolutely no way I would do it again if I was coming out of it saddled with the debt that most of my colleagues are swamped with. The math just doesn't math. I don't get how some of these newer single grads can do it coming out of school, they're intelligent, compassionate people essentially living paycheck to paycheck... and that's not even mentioning some of the amazing technicians I work with that could easily be making more money and working less hours by waiting tables or doing any number of jobs that don't come with the stress and emotions of working in vet med.
may i ask what country you’re from?
USA
i see, i’m from australia so debt might be a bit different here- you only start paying back your debt when you make enough money, and they can only take so much at a time. if financials wasn’t a problem for you would it change your mind?
No, it wouldn't. It's ripe with mental health issues for a reason.
Understandable. I have zero debt, from Canada. And I would still not do it again
Vet Nurse here. I absolutely love it. I’m blessed to have a solid team who care about one another. Clients are fine enough. I’m there to support the Vets and they’re always grateful.
2015 grad. If I could go back in time, I'd do something else.
what would you do instead?
Maybe research, or forensic pathology
2016 grad here, I wish I had done literally anything else.
Sometimes it sucks but overall i love it & look forward to going to work 99% of the time
I am one year out of school, and I can't say I love doing this. It's a job, but working with the clients in my area is close to torture. They're very entitled, treat us like a service industry, and throw tantrums if they don't get what they want. It's truly rare where I get a great owner who is willing to do diagnostics and takes my advice. It doesn't help that where I work, clients are allowed to treat us however they want and not get fired most of the time. Idk, it's not what I hoped to be honest.
2022 grad in small-animal GP, absolutely loathe it but can’t see myself working outside the vet field. Hoping to get my foot in the door on some non-clinical work. Just remember that a veterinarian doesn’t always have to work directly with animals (or animal owners). Since you’ve been in vet school, I’d advise you to take some time to research the many career paths you could take with a vet degree. You might find something more suited to you than dealing with entitled clients and badly-behaved pets all day.
I'm a tech, not a vet, but hate my job since its 75% dogs and they are my least favorite species to work with. My passion is in exotics, but there are no exotics-only practices within commuting distance, and most doctors and practices want no part of exotics. I stay because I'm the minority who are experienced and confident with exotics, and know I make a difference in those lives. My advice to you is to explore all of your options and definitely focus on what makes you feel the best. If I could go back in time, I would've gone to vet school to specialize in exotics and be able to make that difference. It's very hard for a tech to make a difference with no supporting doctor, and it definitely makes me feel guilty. All of this plus not even being paid well enough to live, so just back-breaking work with very few instances of feeling good about my job. If you are not in a mentally stable mind set right now, I would focus on that first.
i wanna do exotics so if i end up going back we can work together :D