my friend is a surgical vet tech (i guess the same as a vet nurse in the UK?) she loves it, but they are long hours and the pay is not very good. her father wanted her to go into human nursing, he was even going to pay for the schooling and she said no b/c she loves what she does. she works at an EMERGENCY animal hospital, so she works 4 10-12 hour days, and doesn’t always know when she is getting off work. she also has weekends “on call” sometimes where she has to drop what she’s doing (or wake up!) and go into work. this would not be the case in a regular office, but regular offices pay even less. she has no children or husband right now, so it’s not a big deal, but i think once you have kids, you might not like doing that. she says she still cries everytime an animal has to be euthanised (and she’s been doing this for over 2 years). i think that would be the hardest part. since she works in an ER hospital, she does not get to see the healthy animals for regular check-ups, or cute little babies for their first appt, only the sick ones in dire need of help. i don’t think it’s an easy thing for her, but she does love her job. i think if you could volunteer at a shelter or rescue, you might find that more satisfying than dealing with the depressing aspects of vet care.

I don’t know how much I can offer you for advice, I did two years of another degree before deciding to switch to an English major and I have to start my teaching degree and sometimes I still wonder if I’m missing out on something else. I love the thought of being a teacher, and it gives me time to do other things I want to like writing. However I’ve always felt like there were a million other things I wanted to do as well. Marine Biologist, Primatology, Archaeology or Egyptology (sp?). I think that when you get that “click” it’s supposed to be a big sign. So what if you can’t say that technically you have a “degree” you’ll be working with animals and helping to save their lives everyday. I don’t think that those grateful owners will care whether or not you have an official degree for your job while you’re helping their baby. IMO the world puts way too much status on being able to say you have a BA in whatever, many people get a degree and then don’t do anything with it. Yes being a vet assistant may be long hours and not the best pay but the fact that you’re still wanting to do it regardless of those things is another big sign. I wish someone would come down to me and show me exactly what I’m supposed to be doing too lol. I guess I just try to remember what my mom has always taught me –> #1 Do something you love, that when you think about it you get those pesky butterflies in your stomach. #2 Nothing is ever written in stone, never feel like by trying something else you’re closing any doors if anything you’re just letting more light into the room Good Luck, I know its cliche but I think you’ll know what’s right for you and most likely it will be inconvinient timing and a big risk and a HUGE change but you’ll still know its right.

It’s possible that your click has put you on the right track, and now you’re ready for more indepth research. It may be that veterinary nursing is one option, but there may be other work with animals that is well suited to you too. I’d suggest making a list to break down exactly what tasks attract you. Things like, do you want to administer first aid to wounded animals? Do you want to learn the anatomy of healthy animals? Do you prefer the physical element of animals, or the human/animal interaction relationship? The reason for this type of question is that you have probably identified the field, but need to know the tasks you want to be doing. Also, which animals? Is it bunnies and small exotics? Or is it dogs or cats? The reason it may make a difference is because you might be interested in forms of pet therapy, like training seeing eye dogs. That puts you with healthy animals that are in need of training but in peak condition. If you find surgery intriguing, it’s the opposite direction – and investigate the training and pay of a surgical assistant. See what I mean?

The classic problem for kids is the one who isn’t turned on by “the family business.” It’s almost funny because you can hear that from all types of families; the business men with artistic kids, the family of doctors whose kid’s hand shakes from nerves but loves math, the musician whose kid really likes a 9-5 corporate computer job, etc. etc. If a teacher sends forth children to discover their gifts and bring added value to the world while finding a satisfying life, then you deserve that goal as well.

I thought I would like to work for a vet and I did briefly, starting as a receptionist with the potential to move up to vet assistant. It was a part time job.

I didn’t like it. The way animals respond to surgery scared the bejeezus out of me. Have you ever seen a puppy or kitten come out of anesthesia? It’s not pretty.

Then there are the pet owners who want to cheap out on everything. They nickel and dime and refuse better treatments because they don’t want to spend the money. That drove me insane.

And then there were the people who just dropped their old and/or sick pets off to be euthanized. I never realized how many people don’t stay with their animals while they die. I was only there for three months and I probably held 20 dogs during their final moments becuase their people “couldn’t handle” being there themselves.

If you’re going to do it I’d say do it for a surgical hospital…like an orthopedist. Those folks only see the good pet owners who will do anything to save their pets. Pay still sucks though.

Good luck making up your mind.

I’m applying for vet school next septermber…I have to work with animals…I’ve tried my hands…definitely need to work wth animals…and I want to do alot of free work as well…Wish me LUCK!!

I’m pretty sure education and qualifications from the UK would be accepted