Vet nurse?

safewaygreenbox · Mar 25, 2005

hi

No an RN could not work as a vet (veterinary) nurse - that would be like a medical Dr working on animals.

Vet nurses go to veterinary school - it is my understanding (and i don't know a lot :chuckle ) they are not payed as well as 'normal' :rotfl: nurses. I think that they can be quite poorly paid - unlike vets.

Kay the 2nd :)

P.s how hard is it to get into veterinary school (to become a vet) in the US? It is VERY difficult in the UK - working on emigrating to the US and it is my daughters dream to become a vet. (only 7 yrs training!!!!)

andreamae · Mar 26, 2005

It's very difficult here also. There are really high expectations of vets. If your daughter is smart and has really good grades it should be no problem. I'm sure it would also help if she had some experience with working around animals. She could volunteer at a vets office. I'm sure that would help her chances.

safewaygreenbox · Mar 26, 2005

Thanks for the info

Kay the :) 2nd

trudlebug · Mar 26, 2005

We don't have "vet nurses" here in the US. Can anyone tell me what qualifications there are? Can a regular RN work in a vets office?

I used to be a surgical veterinary technician, had no formal training, all on the job...started in the kennel and worked my way up. They do have schools for certification, but none of the clinics/hospitals I worked for hired them. (couldn't afford to pay them)

The best pay I got was $9.00 an hour, and that was rare...I have worked in 3 different states for for 5 different employers.

So when the opportunity presented itself, I quit working and went to school full time to get my nursing degree. Pay is much better, but at times, I secretly would really rather be working with the "patients" at the vet clinics:sniff:. ('specially lately...been pretty short handed at work:uhoh21: )

Anyway, would guess if you look in a major metro area, there would be much more opportunity for a certified vet tech/assistant, pay would be better. But many wouldn't be able to meet an RN salary...

(remember, people have insurance, medicare, medicaid, etc. most people don't have pet insurance, and there is no law that says you HAVE to treat an animal for an unpaying owner....but if they don't pay, it comes out of the owner/vet's own pocket)

SusanJean · Mar 26, 2005

In the US, admission to vet school is more difficult than medical school. While debt load is similar to med school, income is much less. I should know, I'm married to a vet. The people that go into this profession do so because of their passion for animals, not $. (My husband could be earning more doing something else, but for all the ups and downs of his profession, this is his niche in life. Let me also add that he practices honestly - doesn't do procedures or tests where none are necessary. He could be making a lot more, but he is an honest man.)

There is vet tech school. This is a two year degree. Grads can make (depending on location, experience, etc. 15-25/hr.)

Anyone can be trained to work as a "tech" in a vet's office, but their salary will not match that of a AA degreed vet tech. A previous poster listed a wage that was about right. My observations of the non-degreed that work at our clinic: they love animals and want to work around animals. Most have had a house full of pets and the "perk" of free pet care offset the wage. Also, my husband is an understanding employer when family and kids are concerned and gives time off when needed. This has been a consideration for most of the employees too.

Past experience/education has included: dental hygenist, an R.N., a BS in bio, a teacher, HS grad. -- all were trained on the job.

Hope this info helps.

SJ