Changing careers

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Hello everyone!

I have been a veterinary technician for about 11 years now. I've worked at both small animal practices as well as specialty hospitals. Although it has been a fun and rewarding experience, I am moving on to become an RN. When I was in high school I couldn't decide which route I wanted to go, animal or human. Now that I have done the animal part I'm ready to the human part. I was wondering if there were any others who have gone down a similar route. Was the transition easy? Difficult? Do you feel you made the right decision? Thanks for your input!

Alyeshia

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I worked with a nurse who was a vet tech from high school/while in nsg school. Great nurse and she had terrific IV skills.

You do have a distinct advantage - you already have much of the vocabulary and general anatomy & physiology should fall into place easily for you.

Good luck.

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I've often thought of leaving nursing to work with animals!! I think I'd like it better and it would be less stressful I think. That doesn't answer your question though-sorry.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

And the 'lil critters wouldn't be complaining and doing those PG satisfaction surveys!

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Sounds like my situation, I was a vet tech for 10 years and finally made the decision to transition to humans back in 2007. I graduated nursing school in 2010...I have absolutely no regrets!! Most of being a vet tech is education of humans, so you already have that experience. I found that I am a bit better at IV sticks and that nursing school came much easier with my knowledge of medical terminology, IV push medications, calculating IV drip rates, lab draws, and especially how to keep myself safe in those "wild animal" situations. I still keep my RVT license current, just in case, but have no regrets and am enjoying my job! Plus there is so much more opportunity for advancement and different areas of work to go into (not to mention making more than 3x the salary :). With vet tech, it was very limited. I hope this has some influence on your decision. Like I said, I have absolutely no regrets with going the nursing route, except that I didn't do it sooner!!

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Specializes in LVT.

Hey, So I am also an LVT in NYC I've been doing it for ten years and I want to get into humans. I applied to an AS RN program here and was unable to get in. You have to apply to the school, take a course at that school to take the nursing entrance exam and then you can apply to the program. I applied with a 3.5GPA. You can basically only apply to one program at a time, (cant attend two different schools at the same time) with all these steps you need to take. It's difficult and I can only do so much since I already have courses transferring in that I can't bring up because they are a passing grade.

I decided maybe I should get my bachelors (got into a school that offers BA/BS) and then apply to multiple accelerated program Bachelors to BSN programs.  I was thinking while obtaining the bachelors to get a CNA certificate and work in a hospital for the experience. Now I am being told that I would be a waste of money and those programs (Bachelors to BSN) are just as difficult to get into. I want to work with humans, I know I'll be good. I am honestly lost right now though with how to move forward and classes start next week. 

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