RN to veterinarian

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2014

That is my dream....be a veterinarian...at least animals growl before they bite and you can muzzle them and lock them in a cage when they get outta hand.

Nonyvole, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2014

I wanted to be a veterinarian, up until I started in EMS. Even now I still want to work with animals in some aspect.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 26, 2014

When I think of certain (human) patients....oh, my kingdom for a muzzle...!!

Fiona59 · Jul 26, 2014

Our dogtor told me it's his patient's humans who drive him crazy. They google everything and forget they are bringing in animals not humans.

The grass isn't greener on the other side, it just get's peed on (how he put it)

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2014

Haha! Going into med would be easier. In vet med, you learn many systems -equine, bovine, porcine, canine, feline, avian. And then there are the exotics! Thinks it's hard to remember meds and dosages, MOA now? Try it for many species! And on top of it, they all come with "parents".

Nonyvole, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2014

Our dogtor told me it's his patient's humans who drive him crazy. They google everything and forget they are bringing in animals not humans.
The grass isn't greener on the other side, it just get's peed on (how he put it)

And bitten, and scratched, and there are more trips to the doctors for antibiotics after said bites.

Also can't forget the owners who say "Mopsy wouldn't hurt a fly!" As Mopsy has already taken down one tech and is working on a second, with her eyes on a third...

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 27, 2014

Was pre-vet, got my Bio degree but then worked for a large animal vet for many years. Ran anesthesia. even did my undergraduate thesis on parasites of ostriches, emus and rheas. medicine is medicine. What kills me is that 20 years ago, we were using ketamine for field anesthesia and now it is used on people for pain. Never saw that coming!. I decided not go because new grad vets makes NO money. I was useful though. Learned a lot of patho and pharm, even anatomy. Not very glamorous though

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2014

Was pre-vet, got my Bio degree but then worked for a large animal vet for many years. Ran anesthesia. even did my undergraduate thesis on parasites of ostriches, emus and rheas. medicine is medicine. What kills me is that 20 years ago, we were using ketamine for field anesthesia and now it is used on people for pain. Never saw that coming!. I decided not go because new grad vets makes NO money. I was useful though. Learned a lot of patho and pharm, even anatomy. Not very glamorous though

Bingo. I seriously looked into vet school, as I have a knack for critter medicine (and I have a passion for it).Sadly, vet school is currently at the bottom of the list for ROI when it comes to professional degrees. And I do mean the bottom.

thenightnurse456 · Jul 27, 2014

Haha! Going into med would be easier. In vet med, you learn many systems -equine, bovine, porcine, canine, feline, avian. And then there are the exotics! Thinks it's hard to remember meds and dosages, MOA now? Try it for many species! And on top of it, they all come with "parents".

Crazy cat ladies all around

saralee728 · Dec 27, 2015

Will there be a way I can be a traveling RN and maybe get a second degree toward something veterinarian that way I can mildly work with zoo animals while I'm abroad? (And what degree(s) could I get to make this huge dream possible???) Thanks a MILLION!!!!!

--Sara L. Rogers (future RN) :)

db2xs · Dec 31, 2015

OP: It is definitely not too late to use animals in nursing practice. Or do something on the side with dogs, such as being a dog trainer or animal-assisted therapist. When I was a student, I shadowed an NP who was an alumnus of my school. One of her colleagues, another NP, worked in pediatric palliative care and brought her dog in regularly to visit the children.