A veterinarian is a medical professional who is responsible for the health and well-being of both animals and humans. They treat sick and injured species of animals as well as make a diagnosis about and control animal diseases. They even guide owners on how to properly care for their animal buddies. Vet work in a wide variety of environments, including family practice, training, scientific studies, government programs, public health, serving in the military, private enterprise, and many other fields which could involve animals. A lot of students aspire to be qualified to treat animals and it is to be noted that this line of work has very few vacancies and is very competitive at any point in time. As far as how long it takes for one to become a veterinary doctor- it takes eight years of study to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Now that’s a whole lot of time, what does one do in those eight years anyway? Also, what are they signing up to do when they finally get their degree?
How Many Years To Become A Vet?
What Does a Veterinarian Do?
- Diagnosis of animal health issues
- Getting animals vaccinated against diseases like distemper and rabies
- Medicating animals against the possibility of infections or illnesses
- Providing wound care and dressing
- Helping put broken bones back together (fracture placement)
- Depending on training, conducting slightly easier to major surgery; instructing owners on animal feeding, actions and breeding
- When necessary, animals are euthanized.
- Offering preventive care to livestock to keep them healthy
- Diagnostic tests such as X-rays, EKGs, ultrasounds, blood, urine, and faecal matter are performed.
Steps To Become a Veterinary Doctor
- High School: In high school, one must finish with very good grades. No doctor is usually made without grades good enough to pull them through comfortably and it begins in the initial stages- school. It is helpful and works well to focus on math and science and also sign up for some AP (advanced placement) classes in these fields, to equip yourself with as much knowledge as you can manage. If your school is one of those which allows you to take up college-level courses in the school itself, you’d be doing yourself a favour if you took it up.
- Bachelor’s Degree: While looking to pursue a degree in medicine, regardless of whether it is for animals or humans you need to choose a degree that’ll give you good exposure to the hard sciences. Subjects like biology, chemistry, and zoology (both human and animal) provide you with good knowledge and equip you for the road ahead. There’s also the fact that if you choose to major in some other subjects too, your bachelor’s degree might take a lot longer than four years. The first four years out of the eight requisite years required are spent here.
- Veterinary School: The next step is applying to and being accepted by a veterinary school. A Doctor of Vet Medicine (DVM) degree generally requires four years of study, which include coursework and practical learning in the form of clinical experience. To finish your degree, you should indeed pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Some veterinary schools require potential veterinarians to have previous work experience in veterinary clinics or with animals in an animal shelter, farm, stable, or similar setting. These are the last four years out of the eight years you’ll be spending in pursuit of the qualifying degree.
- Getting Licensed: After earning your DVM, you will be eligible to apply for licensure in the state where you plan to practice. Passing a certification exam sponsored by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards is part of the process (AAVSB). Although the veterinary school will prepare you for the exam, independent study is also recommended.
- Internships: After receiving their license, many vets choose to complete an apprenticeship with a seasoned veterinarian. This allows new vets to gain more experience under the supervision of a qualified vet before opening their practice or working independently at an existing practice. A large percentage of internships last a year.
- Choosing a Specialization: Veterinarians or vets, like traditional doctors, can specialise in a particular area. Options such as anaesthesia and surgery are the most popular, among a variety of offerings. There are currently 41 veterinary medicine specialities. Depending on the speciality, an expertise program can take two or three years to complete. Board-Certification: Finally, some veterinarians decide to seek certification from the apex board. Board certification is a label given to veterinarians who have enhanced education or specialized training and have passed a rigorous exam illustrating their knowledge. Each speciality has its institution in charge of certification. Being a practising veterinarian does not necessarily entail board certification.
So, I Spent All These Years Studying and Training, What’s In It for Me?
While the animal medicine industry is just as competitive as the traditional medicine industry in terms of entry into colleges and vacancies, it is a very rewarding job. Veterinarians make an average of $112,267 per year. Individual veterinarian salaries will vary depending on the geographical location, practice type, education, and experience. A board-certified veterinarian with ten years of experience working for a major private laboratory, for example, will earn more than just a veterinarian in their first year of a small-town practice.
Conclusion
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, hiring in veterinary medicine is expected to grow 17 per cent by 2030, much faster than the overall employment average. Over the next 10 years, an average of 4,400 veterinarian job vacancies are expected. Now that you know that the field is opening up and that there are more spots for grabs that’ll pay you handsomely, it is probably very tempting to want to go ahead and try your hand in veterinary medicine. However, let’s keep in mind- that becoming a vet involves eight years of studying and a bit more if you count the internships before going out on your own. So, good luck if you’re taking the plunge- furry friends around you will be happy to know that you’re learning to make their lives better.
