How To Become A Vet (Veterinarian)
How To Become A Vet (Veterinarian)
How To Become A Vet. (Veterinarian)
What Veterinarians Do
Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to imrove public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals.
Work Environment
Although most veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals, others travel to farms, work in laboratories or classrooms, or work for the government.
Pay
The median annual wage for veterinarians was ,460 in May 2012.
How to Become a Veterinarian
Veterinarians can choose specialties such as companion animals or farm animals.
Veterinarians must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary college and a state license.
Education
Veterinarians must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. There are currently 29 colleges with accredited programs in the United States. A veterinary medicine program generally takes 4 years to complete and includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical components.
Although not required, most applicants to veterinary school have a bachelor’s degree. Veterinary medical colleges typically require applicants to have taken many science classes, including biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, zoology, microbiology, and animal science. Most programs also require math and humanities and social science courses.
Admission to veterinary programs is very competitive, and fewer than half of all applicants were accepted in 2012.
In veterinary medicine programs, students take courses on normal animal anatomy and physiology, as well as disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Most programs include 3 years of classroom, laboratory, and clinical work. Students typically spend the final year of the 4-year program doing clinical rotations in a veterinary medical center or hospital. In veterinary schools today, increasingly, courses include general business management and career development classes, to help new veterinarians learn how to effectively run a practice.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All states and the District of Columbia require veterinarians to have a license. Licensing requirements vary by state, but all states require prospective veterinarians to complete an accredited veterinary program and to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. Veterinarians working for the state or federal government may not be required to have a state license, because each agency has different requirements.
Most states require not only the national exam but also have a state exam that covers state laws and regulations. Few states accept licenses from other states, so veterinarians who want to be licensed in another state usually must take that state’s exam.
The American Veterinary Medical Association offers certification in 40 specialties, such as surgery, microbiology, and internal medicine. Although certification is not required for veterinarians, it can show exceptional skill and expertise in a particular field. To sit for the certification exam, veterinarians must have a certain number of years of experience in the field, complete additional education, and complete a residency program, typically lasting 3 to 4 years. Requirements vary by specialty.
Training
Although graduates of a veterinary program can begin practicing once they receive their license, some veterinarians pursue further education and training.
Other Experience
When deciding whom to admit, some veterinary medical colleges weigh experience heavily. Formal experience, such as work with veterinarians or scientists in clinics, agribusiness, research, or some area of health science, is particularly advantageous.
Important Qualities
Compassion. Veterinarians must be compassionate when working with animals and their owners.
Decision-making skills. Veterinarians must decide the correct method for treating the injuries and illnesses of animals. Deciding to euthanize a sick animal, for instance, can be difficult.
Interpersonal skills. Strong communication skills are essential for veterinarians, who must be able to discuss their recommendations and explain treatment options to animal owners and give instructions to their staff.
Management skills. Management skills are important for veterinarians who are in charge of running private clinics or laboratories, or directing teams of technicians or inspectors.
Manual dexterity. Manual dexterity is important for veterinarians, because they must control their hand movements and be precise when treating injuries and performing surgery.
Problem-solving skills. Veterinarians need strong problem-solving skills because they must figure out what is ailing animals.
I want to become a vet so bad but how will I go through 7 years of college if I can barely go through 1 year of middle school? I’ll try so hard to reach this goal but by the looks of things, it will take so much energy out of me.
i have a doubt? what are the different degree for Veterinarian cause I kinda haven’t understood the whole PhD and stuff.
thank you, the description of this video will be very helpful. I’ve got to write a informational article about what it takes to achieve my dream career and I’ll definitely be taking notes based on the description!!!!
I want to be one😘
What if you want to go to university instead of college??? Is that possible?
I’m confused what do you do in under graduate school please help.
But what does she mean by ‘very rewarding’? She keeps on repeating that please help me understand.
Thank you so much for the information…Unfortunately I’m pretty aged, however this has been my passion all my life and I know I could do this and I have decided to take the plunge. and again thank you for your motivation and info!!
Back to studying for upper level bio classes…
I’m only 12, but I’m taking this very seriously. I really want to be a veterinarian.
I think I might be squeamish but I really want to be a vet😭😭
is possible to become a Veterinarian with Cerebral palsy? I’m not in a wheelchair or anything I can walk okay my left side is weaker
7 years?! I’m 26 I’ve should’ve done something else instead of veterinarian assistant, I could’ve been doing something and be done with school and had a career.
can you go to collage to be veterinary technology but also do veterinarian medication while doing tech
im only 8!! and i really am doing all i can for animals i still try and be a little vet🙁🙁🙁i really feel bad for animals in the street i love them.
helpful
ahhhh 8 yrs …….let me think
I’ve decided I wanna work as a Veterinarian since I was 7-8 years old, now I’m 15 and I’m still choosing that as my future job, hope every thing will go alright, since I only have 2 years left in high school then I’ll go to university/collage, but i hope that every thing will be alright in the end
i am 12 and have known i wanted to be a veterinarian for my whole life. and live and breath for animals, and have never favouritism with animals I love each and every animal(agressive, calm, scaly, furry, black, white or rodents).
I’m 9yrs I’m interested
We need to build more veterinary schools!
I can go to university at 17! But the veterinary uni in the Netherlands is way too full..
I am 9 and i want to be a vet
If the program I want to apply to only requires one year of prerequisites then should I only do that? Is there any chance I’ll get in? I don’t want to get a bachelors.
she is wet
hi am Brianna hairston I I’m 10 and l would like to be a vet for my job for when I grow up
and i love to to go to vet school
it sounds hard but I’m going to reach my goal in Jesus name
IF YOU WANT TO BE A VET, SAVE UP NOW!!!😀 I WANT TO BE A VET AS WELL!!!