Veterinary Technician or RN?

Nurses Career Support

Published

I'm having trouble deciding between the two careers and I'm wondering if someone else was ever, or is, in the same spot. On one hand, I love animals and working with them (my first job was at a kennel and I LOVED it) and I imagine being a vet tech would be something I'd really enjoy. On the other, I like the idea of working as an RN also; I like the idea of all the different specialties and things you get to do as an RN, plus I like the idea of helping people and taking care of them. Although, I know as far as money goes RN is definitely where it's at; it's often hard to make decent money working as a vet tech. My school offers Associate's programs for both RN and vet tech, so...

The main reason that getting into DVM school is more difficult than getting into Med school is that there are very few DVM schools vs Med schools around every corner. Getting into DVM school is not easy by any means...seems like this thread got off course, lol, but I was bored so why not...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
The main reason that getting into DVM school is more difficult than getting into Med school is that there are very few DVM schools vs Med schools around every corner. Getting into DVM school is not easy by any means...seems like this thread got off course, lol, but I was bored so why not...

Pretty sure that was also a point that I brought up.

If the OP comes back and gathers anything from this thread, it's that s/he should want to do whatever s/he wants. And should probably take whatever info is gathered online with a grain of salt. Because some people get bored.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.
The main reason that getting into DVM school is more difficult than getting into Med school is that there are very few DVM schools vs Med schools around every corner. Getting into DVM school is not easy by any means...seems like this thread got off course, lol, but I was bored so why not...

Vet school is the most difficult of the professional schools to get into...there are fewer of them and as many applicants as Med school.

The requirements are very stringent now and do vary from university to university. They don't just look at high GPAs, but also community service, past veterinary experience..that was a must and a very big portion was the personal interview.

My daughter was fortunate and was accepted into 3...she chose UF because of the in state tuition, it's very expensive, of course.

Again, the OP must decide which career is best for her...I would have loved to have worked as a vet tech (either cerified or not...whatever)....but the fact simply remains that it can not come close to providing the broadness, the room for advancement or the salary that nursing can provide. If the salary is not an issue....then I would say...GO for the vet tech!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey folks!

my first "career" was as a Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of Indiana. Ive also worked in Illinois and Michigan as a RVT or LVT (licensed vet tech). I attended Purdue Univerisity and have an Associate of Science Degree in VT. The year I graduated (1997) they began to offer a bachelor's of science in VT. 2 classmates continued on and workin vet clinics as technologists with their BSVT.

I worked as a vet tech until 2009. Allergies prevent me from staying in that field, but I chose to go back to school before I discovered that. Im in my first year of nursing school at a local community college with plans to get my BSN and eventually, grad school to become a CRNA.

I didnt read every single response but I think most people have said what I feel is accurate...Not a ton of upward mobility for a vet tech, lower pay..although a greater scope of practice. I will miss that...Im finding out how limited a nurse is in scope compared to vet techs and that's why Im going the grad school route...so I will need to get a phd now to "relearn" how to intubate, admin, and monitor anesthesia...bummer....but the salary will be better!

I once worked with a licensed vet tech who was also a licensed nurse. She did both part time and loved it.

I wish I could do that!

Even if you think money wont be an issue...Id try to find a way to do both (if not just nursing)...vet tech/assisting for the greater skill set....nursing for the money/mobility.

Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Because some people get bored.

Not sure what you mean by this, are you trying to be rude or ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not a ton of upward mobility for a vet tech, lower pay..although a greater scope of practice. I will miss that...Im finding out how limited a nurse is in scope compared to vet techs and that's why Im going the grad school route...so I will need to get a phd now to "relearn" how to intubate, admin, and monitor anesthesia...bummer....but the salary will be better!

I was surprised by how limited a nurses scope was when I started nursing school, there are so many things that I am going to miss doing that made me feel more in charge of my patients care. I am also interested in grad school and although I loved surgery and all that went with it, anesthesia can get so booooring! I have to be on the move, juggling multiple patients, etc. I would like to go on to peds/neonatal NP. I am so going to miss that connection I would get with my furry patients that would come in so scared and stressed and ready to rip anyones face off that came near them....give me a little time with them and they would be my new best friend. Some would let me give them their injections, meds, blood draws etc without any assistance (maintaining complete safety of course). I couldn't believe that I wouldn't get to do blood draws as a nurse, and I have heard some places don't even allow you to do IV cath's!

I once worked with a licensed vet tech who was also a licensed nurse. She did both part time and loved it.

Lol, I worked with a nurse who came over to our side, basically came running, screaming from hospital work. She said she loved working as a vet asst and would never go back to nursing because she hated it so bad. I think she was a nurse for ten plus years or more. She made a great assistant. I can definately see going back and either working part time or volunteering at a vet clinic, I don't thing I can stay away forever, it's just part of my blood.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am also interested in grad school and although I loved surgery and all that went with it, anesthesia can get so booooring! I have to be on the move, juggling multiple patients, etc.

.......I couldn't believe that I wouldn't get to do blood draws as a nurse, and I have heard some places don't even allow you to do IV cath's!

I sometimes worry about this too, which is why Im not completely sold on CRNA (especially since its headed toward the PhD route and not just MSN.)

Tell me about it! no iv's or blood draws?! I will have to find some avenue where I can do this...there's got to be someplace where a nurse can work and needs these skills on a daily basis.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

Where did you get the idea of no IV's..I have done probably a thousand in my career and many, many blood draws as well...from sticks and countless central line draws...? Not sure who is telling you this??? And as far as the CRNA route goes, you know you actually have to work as a RN in critical care for at least 2 years...(that's the usual amt of time..I know it varies) and yes, you can still go to CRNA schools with master's preparation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wouldn't worry about the PhD thing until it's for sure. I consider education to be a lifelong thing and I don't mind if I am in school for the rest of my life (just not full-time). I know I do not want to stay a floor nurse for very long, basically just as long as it takes to get me into and through NP school because the experiance will be absolutely vital, but in truth I have been a "beside (pet) nurse" for over ten years and I am ready for taking on a higher leverl of care. But as an NP we will do even less bedside care! That's why I will have to go back and volunteer at a vet clinic, so I can get my fix, lol. Even as a volunteer and with an expired license, if I develope a good relationship with my vet I can do all the fuzzy patient care I want.

Cat's were my favorite, especially the evil ones, but my allergies have gotten so bad I cannot even have a cat in the house, it makes me very depressed to thing about going my whole life without a cat!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

Evil cats are GREAT!!!..they have clueless dogs beat!

( I love dogs, too, but evil cats are so funny...they plot against us!)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

divarn, several nurses that are clinical instructors at my school gave me the impression that a lot of areas in nursing you do not get much opportunity to place ivs due to iv teams and specialized departments that come in to do it all.

I guess it depends on where you work.

I know that you need critical care ICU experience to get into a CRNA program. Though Im not sure why you brought that up. And, here in MI, the CRNA programs are already beginning the switch to PhD instead of MSN. By the time I get my BSN (around 2016), no schools in my area will offer MSN programs for CRNAs anymore.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
Because some people get bored.

Not sure what you mean by this, are you trying to be rude or ?

Actually, it just bothered me that you were so obviously, totally wrong about so many aspects of DVM schooling - acted like an authority on the subject until it was obvious that I'd been there, done that -- and your only reply was to restate what I'd already stated several posts ago.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment