What to do to become a licensed Veterinarian?

[jhm47]

My cousin became a vet, and one of my son's HS classmates did also. Cousin went to IA State for vet school after graduating with very high grades from South Dakota State University. Son's classmate also graduated from SDSU, and went to an "offshore" vet school. It was on an island somewhere in the Pacific. Both are seeming to do well. They are both large animal vets, which is most in demand at this time, although it pays less than small animal practice.

 

[BDial]

jhm47 can you get me the name of that offshore school? My friend has been trying to find out which one it is.
Sorry didn't mean to hijack the thread

 

[kapfarm]

Wow, lot of info here! Lets say in 8 years I finish schooling and start to practice. If there is such a vast need for vets how can it take so long to get your feet back on the ground after school?

I have no idea how college works! You go for 4 years and get your bachelor degree in veterinary medicine along w/math,science,english, etc., then you go for another 4 to get your major in what?

 

[BDial]

Just like human doctors once your out of school you have to do a residency. Plus a lot end up working for another vet till they can get the money to go out on their own. That has its pros in two areas. While working for the other vets they earn a check and dont have to cover all the overhead and they get to learn off of the more experience person.

 

[freemotion]

You have to set up a practice and attract clients, most of whom already are using a practice, unless they just moved into the area. You have a bazillion loans and debts looming over you, and need another loan to buy equipment and tools and supplies and a truck. You need an assistant and support staff. You need to catch up on all you neglected at home to survive the past eight years. You are exhausted....but excited. You keep checking the phone to see if it works because it is not ringing like you hoped it would!

This is true of any new venture and business. Nothing unique to veterinary practice.

If you knew small ruminants and were willing to treat my house pets when you came out to the farm without adding ridiculous fees, like my vets in Maine did, I would hire you in a heartbeat. Especially if you knew natural methods of treatment as well as pharmaceutical options, meaning a good working knowledge of herbals and nutrition and adjunctive care. Knowing when to recommend massage therapy (I am a massage therapist for horses and people and I have vets who refer clients to me and vets who resent me.) Knowing about acupuncture and chiropractic and when to refer and who is good in your area.

But that is just me!

 

[kapfarm]

Just like human doctors once your out of school you have to do a residency. Plus a lot end up working for another vet till they can get the money to go out on their own. That has its pros in two areas. While working for the other vets they earn a check and dont have to cover all the overhead and they get to learn off of the more experience person.

Hold on, residency must be the "bar exam" by the state you will be practicing in? can you explain what classes I will be taking(order)
starting at two years of community college?

 

[BDial]

You need to research what General credits you need. My friend is currently having to go through another Math class, Chemistry, Biology, and her school requires Physical education.
Other classes would be English, and English Comp, History.
A residency is something you have to go through as part of your schooling before you get your license. Think ER and the residence.

 

[kapfarm]

You have to set up a practice and attract clients, most of whom already are using a practice, unless they just moved into the area. You have a bazillion loans and debts looming over you, and need another loan to buy equipment and tools and supplies and a truck. You need an assistant and support staff. You need to catch up on all you neglected at home to survive the past eight years. You are exhausted....but excited. You keep checking the phone to see if it works because it is not ringing like you hoped it would!

This is true of any new venture and business. Nothing unique to veterinary practice.

If you knew small ruminants and were willing to treat my house pets when you came out to the farm without adding ridiculous fees, like my vets in Maine did, I would hire you in a heartbeat. Especially if you knew natural methods of treatment as well as pharmaceutical options, meaning a good working knowledge of herbals and nutrition and adjunctive care. Knowing when to recommend massage therapy (I am a massage therapist for horses and people and I have vets who refer clients to me and vets who resent me.) Knowing about acupuncture and chiropractic and when to refer and who is good in your area.

But that is just me!

You make it sound extremely challenging,yet exciting. So far, I have to know just as much as the family doctor, maybe more since I will be performing every kind of operation huh?

 

[freemotion]

I meant that my vets in Maine were great, and would give my cats their vaccinations and such when they came out to the farm.....just re-read, and it looks like I said they soaked me....

The biggest challenge, a daunting one, will be hanging onto your wife and kids. That is number one in my book, at least. Can you do all that schooling without working? I don't see how both are possible without divorce unless one of you has a trust fund or a recent inheritance that you can live off of for the next eight years. Just a thought....but a critical one. Lots of divorces when docs go through med school. No time for the family. Kids growing up without you. DW getting resentful and lonely. Be careful.

You did ask! Of course, I don't know you other than a few lines on the computer screen, so my comments are general and from my own perspective. I chose massage therapy because it was 2 years. It was hard enough and I don't have kids! I would love to become a ND next, but I have extended family responsibilities that would get severely neglected, not to mention my dh. I can still have the satisfaction of influencing people's health (and animals), and have decided to settle for that....for now. Hence my answers.

 

[BDial]

I went through an accelerated tech school where I was there anywhere from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. Average day was 8-4. I had a small child so it was take dd to daycare, go to school, pick dd up from daycare, do homework, do housework, animal chores, homework and finally bed. It was very hard. There were days I had to stay after school just to get some of my harder work done.
I got two scholarships which took $6000 off of my total schoo loan amount. The rest I am paying a total of $200 a month for the next few years.