Career changing vet tech -- what course to take?

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · May 30, 2009

I think the best thing to do would be for you to go to the schools in your area and make an advising appointment and find out what classes are needed and what your options are from there.

I guess a lot of it depends on what schools are in your area or how far you're willing to drive to attend classes. I have a previous BA but I'm doing an ASN program at my local community college. It's very competitive to get in, but there's no waiting lists so if you have the grades/scores for the semester you've applied for, you'll be accepted.

On a side note, I was a vet assistant for almost 4 years and I miss it so much! You'll find that a lot of what you already know from being a CVT is going to be very helpful!

You don't need to get an LPN degree first, and as for CNA certification, that depends on what your local programs want. Mine doesn't require it.

tfleuter, BSN, RN · May 30, 2009

Wow! How nice that there is a school that will accept your previous CVT credits! I worked as a vtech for a couple of years and was about 1/3 of the through the only certification program in my state before I decided I wanted to make the switch into nursing. No one would accept the credits. If I could have worked as tech while going to school I would have done so in a heartbeat! I do miss the work, animals and co-workers.

I would also suggest setting up appointments with the schools in your area to get the exact information you need from each one. For myself, I decided to go for a competitive based BSN program at a state university. Since my credits didn't transfer, I was starting from scratch anyways, so I wanted the quickest and cheapest path to that BSN. In state tuition has been a big plus and if I am accepted to the program this fall I will have gotten into a nursing program w/out an insane amount of pre-reqs or a waiting list. Here's to hoping! Good luck in whatever you choose!!

PBPointer · May 30, 2009

I am a CVT that decided I wanted to go into nursing too.

I have an AA and and AS in veterinary technology.

The ONLY 3 classes that transfered over were english, chem

and biology. I had to take everything else including algebra.

It took me 2 years taking 2 classes at a time (I work too) to

finish the pre reqs for the RN program, but I am now done.

You are lucky if they transfer your credits.

When I went to the university to talk about the BSN program

they also would not transfer any of my vet tech classes.

When I first started taking A&P class I thought it was going

to be easy since I know a lot of animal anatomy. I was way

wrong. It is much more detailed and difficult.

However, I made it through all the classes and I am now

ready for the nursing program in the fall.

One last note. I am in the ASN/BSN concurrent progam

and it will be very very difficult to work with that schedule.

Start saving money now.

Good luck

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · May 30, 2009

I have a nursing student who is a vet tech and she is awesome, she is able to understand diseases due to her past experience, best of luck.