Veterinary Technician or RN? - Page 4

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  1. Nov 24, '11 by
    "A veterinary technician is a graduate from a two-year, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program from a community college, college or university." quote taken from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America website.
    I had never heard of this grandfather clause but apparently in some states it is possible. The only problem with it is that it will differ by state.

    "You must be a graduate from an approved, accredited school of animal technology to become a Registered Veterinary Technician in the State of Ohio." quote taken from the Ohio Association of Veterinary Medical LIcensing Board.
    So just because you were grandfathered in does not mean you will be allowed to transfer your license to another state.
    Last edit by PetsToPeople on Nov 24, '11
  2. Nov 24, '11 by
    Animals do not talk back
    Nope, they don't waste time grippin' at you, they just bite when you **** them off, lol
  3. Nov 24, '11 by
    Quote from PetsToPeople
    True, but in my area at least, the only programs that offer vet tech associates are the expensive for-profit schools. Vet tech BSN is usually seen as a stepping stone to get your DVM.
    Be careful because there are a lot of programs that are not accredited, and you won't be allowed to sit for the national exam and get your license. Should be illegal. And pre-vet is better if you want to get your DVM, because if you get your Vet Tech BSN you will still have to take all your advanced chemistry and math classes that are needed to get into vet school. They do prefer you to have experiance working in veterinary medicine, not necessarily as a vet tech, they want to see that you know what you are getting into and that you won't freak out and quit the first time you have to stick a needle in poor little fluffy. You don't need to be a vet tech to get into vet school anymore than you need to be an rn to get into med school.
    That's actually what I meant when I mentioned the for-profit schools. Non-accredited and cost quite a bit more.

    When I was seriously considering getting my DVM, I was actually surprised at how low level the pre-reqs for the vet schools in the surrounding states were. I'd met the chem and math requirements through my RN pre-reqs and only needed a zoology/animal phys class to meet the bio reqs. You don't technically need an undergrad degree to get into most DVM schools. So, on its face, I wouldn't really compare DVM to getting into med school. It's just that DVM is *so* competitive that most schools don't even look at the bottom line. lol but this thread isn't about getting your DVM.
  4. Nov 25, '11 by
    When I was seriously considering getting my DVM, I was actually surprised at how low level the pre-reqs for the vet schools in the surrounding states were. I'd met the chem and math requirements through my RN pre-reqs and only needed a zoology/animal phys class to meet the bio reqs.
    Pre-vet and pre-med programs have more similarities than differences, actually. There are a few specialized classes for each program, but in general the knowledge base to practice medicine is universal.
    You don't technically need an undergrad degree to get into most DVM schools.
    I don't know of any veterinary schools that don't require a BS for admission (other than schools overseas, which is a completely different program, and you don't need a BS to go to medical school as well).
    So, on its face, I wouldn't really compare DVM to getting into med school.
    Funny, the only difference is that MDs are required to complete a residency, and in vet med it is optional (if you are to become board-certified).
    It's just that DVM is *so* competitive that most schools don't even look at the bottom line.
    I'm not sure what this statement even means, but yes vet school admission is very competitive. Many get their MS first before vet school as it greatly increases their chances of admission.

    Like you said, this thread isn't about MD vs. DVM.
    Bottom line to OP, if she wants to pursue vet med, then she should. If she wants to pursue human med, she should. They are very similar in that the diseases are treated very similarly (if not exactly the same), and a lot of the nursing care is very similar. The pay is not as lucrative, and their aren't as many advanced degrees. It is just a matter of what species you would rather be nursing, and if you can deal with the cons of each field.
    TurtleCat likes this.
  5. Nov 25, '11 by
    Quote from PetsToPeople
    "A veterinary technician is a graduate from a two-year, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program from a community college, college or university." quote taken from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America website.
    I had never heard of this grandfather clause but apparently in some states it is possible. The only problem with it is that it will differ by state.

    "You must be a graduate from an approved, accredited school of animal technology to become a Registered Veterinary Technician in the State of Ohio." quote taken from the Ohio Association of Veterinary Medical LIcensing Board.
    So just because you were grandfathered in does not mean you will be allowed to transfer your license to another state.
    You are correct in that it does not always transfer state-to-state.
    NAVTA is looking to get rid of the "alternate route" method. The problem is that each state decides it's own method of examination/licensure; there is no national standard (though there is a national exam many states utilize).
    That may change in the near future.
  6. Nov 25, '11 by
    Quote from PetERNurse
    When I was seriously considering getting my DVM, I was actually surprised at how low level the pre-reqs for the vet schools in the surrounding states were. I'd met the chem and math requirements through my RN pre-reqs and only needed a zoology/animal phys class to meet the bio reqs.
    Pre-vet and pre-med programs have more similarities than differences, actually. There are a few specialized classes for each program, but in general the knowledge base to practice medicine is universal.
    You don't technically need an undergrad degree to get into most DVM schools.
    I don't know of any veterinary schools that don't require a BS for admission (other than schools overseas, which is a completely different program, and you don't need a BS to go to medical school as well).
    So, on its face, I wouldn't really compare DVM to getting into med school.
    Funny, the only difference is that MDs are required to complete a residency, and in vet med it is optional (if you are to become board-certified).
    It's just that DVM is *so* competitive that most schools don't even look at the bottom line.
    I'm not sure what this statement even means, but yes vet school admission is very competitive. Many get their MS first before vet school as it greatly increases their chances of admission.

    No, you're wrong. I looked into applying to DVM schools in KS, CO, and MN. Minimum amount of credits required is around 60-65. Minimum for a BS is 120. You do have to take the GRE. Most pre-reqs require Chem 1 & 2, Algebra and Stats, Micro -- all RN requirements for the school I attended. For DVM pre-reqs, you usually need a Genetics class and O Chem, maybe a Physics class. On top of the required humanities stuff which is universal whether you're pre-med, pre-vet, or finishing your pre-reqs for a RN.

    It's generally accepted that DVM school is more competitive than MD school. Same amount of applicants but fewer spots. So few people who apply to DVM school get accepted when they meet the bottom line - that is, 60 credits and fairly introductory classes. Pre-vet is not an actual degree, neither is pre-med. But most pre-vet programs encourage you to take a BS in Microbiology or Zoology. I was about 3/4s of the way to finishing a degree in Evolutionary Biology when I switched to nursing, so.
  7. Nov 26, '11 by
    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...
  8. Nov 26, '11 by
    Quote from PetsToPeople
    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.
  9. Nov 26, '11 by
    Quote from PetsToPeople
    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!
  10. Nov 26, '11 by
    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!