Nurses who are also Veterinary Techs

trudlebug · Jan 8, 2011

I was a vet tech - started in the kennels and worked all positions, ending up as a full time surgical tech. I loved it, but as a PP said, the cost of living made me look elsewhere. (also, I had a tendancy to bring my work home, which began to crowd the house a bit, and stretch my husband's patience:rolleyes: )

I have found a nursing job that I enjoy, but I still miss the four legged patients. (Once I took an on-line personality type quiz to find your "super power" Mine was animal communication. :) )

SleepyE · Jan 9, 2011

I'm a CVT with an AS degree in Veterinary Technology. Love the field, but after starting my own family, (and like others said, cost of living, etc), nursing started calling my name. I'm currently in nursing school and loving it. I do plan to keep my CVT license up to date because vet med will always be in my heart as well and I'm sure I will still want to pick up some shifts here and there.

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 10, 2011

I was a vet assistant (OJT to do most of the actual tech work without the classroom education though unfortunately) for about 4 years. I LOVED it so much, especially helping with surgery and doing the dental cleanings. I loved all of my patients so much that I cried for days when I left. That's how I got to nursing school. Learning how to draw blood on squirmy kittens sure helped with my IV skills! I had to leave the field because there just wasn't really a future in it so I figured being a "people nurse" was the next best thing. I graduate this year finally! I plan to one day combine both passions and do animal therapy in nursing homes along with being a floor nurse.

nicolettecvt · Jan 21, 2011

I am a CVT, work in ECC, I am starting nursing school this year. I agree with the post above, will keep my license up to date, love the furry creatures...been doing it for 14 years. But I want to be able to support my family, I LOVE medicine and people....nursing is perfect for me :nurse:

I have known quite a few techs that have went on to nursing and have never looked back, I hope I can keep updated in both.

leslie :-D · Jan 21, 2011

I love being a registered vet tech but feel there isn't the respect that we deserve, or the benefits, compensation, ect... I can't wait to start this new adventure!!!

the last time i brought my puppies to the vets, i was talking to them about being a vet tech.

they both said the same thing you did...about the lack of respect.

it would seem that nursing isn't the only profession that has a cross to bear.

they both discouraged me from becoming a vet tech...

which disappointed me, since i so want to work with animals.

leslie

Guest717236 · Jan 21, 2011

:paw::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::paw:

Thank you so much for the replies. As a "Mom" of a beautiful 6 1/2 year

old Old English Sheepdog who is for the second time is going through

a major health challenge, I can tell you that your hard work and

dedication is respected and appreciated by many owners.

One idea for you is to have a home health vet service. Owners

like myself would love to have someone with vet tech knowledge

to assist at their home when needed. You could have your own

small business and set your own fee.

SleepyE · Jan 21, 2011

the last time i brought my puppies to the vets, i was talking to them about being a vet tech.
they both said the same thing you did...about the lack of respect.
it would seem that nursing isn't the only profession that has a cross to bear.
they both discouraged me from becoming a vet tech...
which disappointed me, since i so want to work with animals.
leslie

Lack of respect is a HUGE thing in vet med for techs. I know nurses feel they don't get a lot of respect as well, but I promise you, it is a million times worse in vet med. Most of the problem starts with the fact that many states don't require a vet tech to have a 2 yr degree, pass their boards and be licensed. The second problem being, many veterinarians do not want to pay for those with licenses and rather pay to train someone for much less. Then to add, when you say you are a LVT/CVT/RVT (it's different in each state), people typically respond with, "what's that", then are shocked when you tell them the vet isn't the one calculating drugs, inducing anesthesia, intubating and doing your pet's dental cleaning.

When you say you are a RN, everyone knows what that is. :nurse:

SleepyE · Jan 21, 2011

:paw::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::paw:
Thank you so much for the replies. As a "Mom" of a beautiful 6 1/2 year
old Old English Sheepdog who is for the second time is going through
a major health challenge, I can tell you that your hard work and
dedication is respected and appreciated by many owners.
One idea for you is to have a home health vet service. Owners
like myself would love to have someone with vet tech knowledge
to assist at their home when needed. You could have your own
small business and set your own fee.

Although an awesome idea, the unfortunate part is, with out a vet on premises, the only things a tech could do would be simple kennel type work, grooming and medicate with drugs already scripted by the vet, possibly including subcu fluids. Anything outside of that, wouldn't be allowed without a doctor order. I have a few friends that do this and they only make enough to use it as a side job. People expect to pay next to nothing for veterinary services from a vet, let alone services from a vet tech. Pet insurance is starting to help veterinarians a little, but I don't see this helping techs.

leslie :-D · Jan 21, 2011

When you say you are a RN, everyone knows what that is.

on that, we'll agree to disagree.

one of our biggest problems, is the public is sooo unaware of what we actually do, and the responsibilities it involves...

much like a vet tech, it would seem.

i guess i've been watching too much "animal cops" on animal planet.:paw:

leslie

leslie :-D · Jan 21, 2011

Although an awesome idea, the unfortunate part is, with out a vet on premises, the only things a tech could do would be simple kennel type work, grooming and medicate with drugs already scripted by the vet, possibly including subcu fluids. Anything outside of that, wouldn't be allowed without a doctor order. I have a few friends that do this and they only make enough to use it as a side job. People expect to pay next to nothing for veterinary services from a vet, let alone services from a vet tech. Pet insurance is starting to help veterinarians a little, but I don't see this helping techs.

my dtr has a friend who's a vet tech, and i have her come over and clip my (4) dogs nails.

i give her $50 for around 30 mins work. (is that enough?)

well worth it to me.

leslie

SleepyE · Jan 21, 2011

on that, we'll agree to disagree.
one of our biggest problems, is the public is sooo unaware of what we actually do, and the responsibilities it involves...
much like a vet tech, it would seem.
i guess i've been watching too much "animal cops" on animal planet.:paw:
leslie

I agree they might not know everything, if anything at all, that you DO, but they still know an RN is a nurse. When you say you are a CVT/RVT/LVT, they don't even know that has anything to do with vet med.

In reality, yes, in the world's eyes, no one in human med or vet med has an education because 'nurses wipe butts all day' and 'vet techs play with puppies all day'. That's what we do! :clown:

SleepyE · Jan 21, 2011

my dtr has a friend who's a vet tech, and i have her come over and clip my (4) dogs nails.
i give her $50 for around 30 mins work. (is that enough?)
well worth it to me.
leslie

There need to be more like you around!!! That's great money. I know my friends aren't seeing anything near that amount.