This article is perfect for you if you have ever thought about becoming a veterinarian. I have been studying Science at Montmorency College for the past 2 years. I have written this Career Summary to help other students who want to become a veterinarian just like me. You will learn everything you need to know about this career, where do veterinarians work, what additional in-service or training they need, how much they get paid, etc.
Being a veterinarian is challenging and rewarding. If we talk about a veterinarian in a hospital or a clinic, the challenge would be to diagnose efficiently the disease(s) of the furry friend with only a physical examination and the owner’s observations. In every situation the veterinarian would have to remain calm and constantly reassure the frightened animal. The rewards won’t be money or big hug and thankful chocolate. Most of the time you will feel successful to have treated successfully an animal or to have complete with dexterity a surgery.
They have to provide medical such as treating sick pets, creating a treatment plan for every patient, provide a routine check-up and shots, give advice to owner and unfortunately, they have to euthanize their client's pet when needed. If surgery is needed, the veterinarian would have to do tests like blood works before starting the surgery. A part of their role is also to protect the owners from the devices their animal could carry.
A typical day usually starts with physical exams from every animal they kept at the clinic for the night. Regular or urgent appointments will follow before lunchtime with surgery. At lunchtime, the veterinarian will have to return phone calls at the owners and check again on the hospitalized animals. The afternoon is spent on appointments and on discharging surgery patient.
A veterinarian can work in many places such as a clinic, a hospital, a shelter, a zoo or even travel from farm to farm. They will also work in a laboratory or in a food industry for government to keep our food supply safe.
To practice in the USA, a veterinarian needs a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, to successfully pass the North American Veterinary licensing Examination and obtain a professional license. But before that, Veterinary College admission require a bachelor’s degree and coursework in animal biology, microbiology, genetics, chemistry, and calculus. Internship will get you additional hands on training and refine your skills. If you want to open your own private practice, you should think about having a minor in business.
Veterinarian usually enjoys a forty-hour work week. The bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the incomes were between $60,000 and $150,000.
Further education is needed if a veterinarian wants to specialize as a dermatologist or as an oncologist or any other specialization. A 3- to 4-year residency programs and additional board certifications are required.
Many risks are associated with the Veterinary program. The most commons are infectious agents, repetitive-motion injuries, animals bites, waste anesthetic gases and much more. Also, the stress can be increase by long work hours. The dangers vary depending on if you are working in a laboratory, in a clinic/hospital or in a food industry.
The chances that veterinarian will be replaced by robots are almost nonexistent. In fact, the chance of Automation is only at 3,8% for this career. A robot won’t be able to make physical examination as concrete as a human and it doesn’t have the capacity to reassure the animal.
The retirement age for veterinarians is not tracked by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association.) On the other hand, 15.1% of his working members were age 60 or older in 2009, according to AVMA statistic.
In conclusion, entering the Veterinary program have ups and downs, because the study is long and hard and you will face many dangers, but your love for animals will help you overcome them. I hope that just like me, you will apply for this program after your Cegep. Thank you for your time and I hope that my career summary have help you understand a little better what is really the role of a veterinarian.
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