Michelleva Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Thats what I'm afraid of Kirsten. How long does it take to become qualified if you are doing distance education? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 It's very flexible Michelle. I am hoping to do it in two years. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelleva Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Ok, thats doable. Thanks Kirsten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colliehound Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Hi MIchelleva You can do it faster if you are really committed but it would be a heavy workload. Re being suited to it............a couple of things to think about..... a) the pay is terrible!!!! b) you tend to need to do shift work (depending where you are) (Which could be a problem with small children at home) c) if you love animals, it can be tough when you can't spend the time with them you feel they need. Some surgeries are highly pressured and the cage cleaning, taking out for a comfort stop etc can be mechanical rather than compassionate due to lack of time. Could you handle that? d) the surgery can actually be the easy part - subject to the vet you work with. Some are great and are organised and you really do very little in the worst of the operations (the gore bit anyway). Others are not so nice, bark orders and get you in the midst of it. The vet you work with can make all the difference. e) I assume you are looking at companion animal vet nursing? If you are looking at rural vet nursing - that is another kettle of fish altogether and needs a super strong stomach, a thick skin and the ability to switch off emotionally when needed. f) how would you handle owners who have for all intents and purposes neglected their animals? They come in weeks after they should have and often ask you to put the animal to sleep rather than pay what we might consider a minor sum to treat something. That is without a doubt the hardest part for me. Best of luck. It is the most enjoyable study I have done in my life. I love it to bits (which is why I am now going on to the degree). Just keep yourself emotionally healthy - it can be terribly terribly confronting and heart breaking. Colliehound Ok, thats doable. Thanks Kirsten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leelaa17 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Hi MIchelleva You can do it faster if you are really committed but it would be a heavy workload. Re being suited to it............a couple of things to think about..... a) the pay is terrible!!!! b) you tend to need to do shift work (depending where you are) (Which could be a problem with small children at home) c) if you love animals, it can be tough when you can't spend the time with them you feel they need. Some surgeries are highly pressured and the cage cleaning, taking out for a comfort stop etc can be mechanical rather than compassionate due to lack of time. Could you handle that? d) the surgery can actually be the easy part - subject to the vet you work with. Some are great and are organised and you really do very little in the worst of the operations (the gore bit anyway). Others are not so nice, bark orders and get you in the midst of it. The vet you work with can make all the difference. e) I assume you are looking at companion animal vet nursing? If you are looking at rural vet nursing - that is another kettle of fish altogether and needs a super strong stomach, a thick skin and the ability to switch off emotionally when needed. f) how would you handle owners who have for all intents and purposes neglected their animals? They come in weeks after they should have and often ask you to put the animal to sleep rather than pay what we might consider a minor sum to treat something. That is without a doubt the hardest part for me. Best of luck. It is the most enjoyable study I have done in my life. I love it to bits (which is why I am now going on to the degree). Just keep yourself emotionally healthy - it can be terribly terribly confronting and heart breaking. Colliehound Ok, thats doable. Thanks Kirsten. I cant believe i came on dol to find this. I have been thinking about a change of career to vet nursing for quite some time and have been doing research. Colliehound - thank you. I would not be able to handle people coming in and asking us to put down their healthy animal. I think id be able to handle putting down a dog if they were in pain and there was nothing we could do, but pther than that. I just couldnt do it. This makes ne sad because i do really want to get into something to do with animals as a career. Im a journalist at the moment and i do absolutely love it. But anything to do with animals will always win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 That's why I feel very lucky in my job. Being a specialist clinic, we don't do any of the nasty stuff and we generally see the best pet owners. And we get to cuddle the animals whenever they need it. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelleva Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Thanks for your input Colliehound, you've given me a lot to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roguedog Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I highly recommend doing a couple of days volunteer work at a vet clinic before deciding to enrol in the course, its not the job for everyone (I love it though! :) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colliehound Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 If you have a lot of your own animals it is worth doing anyway - as it comes in very handy. But definitely agree with Roguedog - if you can do work experience, well worth it. If not, sit in the reception area of your local surgery for a day. It is VERY eye opening. Like all professions - you really do encounter "all sorts". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelleva Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 If you have a lot of your own animals it is worth doing anyway - as it comes in very handy. But definitely agree with Roguedog - if you can do work experience, well worth it. If not, sit in the reception area of your local surgery for a day. It is VERY eye opening. Like all professions - you really do encounter "all sorts". I can only imagine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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