Becoming a veterinary technician is not a decision to take lightly. You should spend a considerable amount of time deciding if this line of work is for you. You should be dedicated to animals as well as your education and training. Because of your dedication, you will want to find the best program that will meet your needs.
Function
A veterinary technician is basically an animal nurse. The education and training is similar to a nursing student's. Veterinary technician programs offer all of the classes needed to prepare a student to care for animals. The programs use the typical equipment that veterinary clinics and hospitals use. They provide hands-on training as well as the lecture-type classes found in other college courses.Those classes are about the care of animals, but basic classes such as English composition, speech, anatomy and physiology as well algebra will also be needed to complete the program.
Time Frame
Depending on the specific program and specialties a student chooses, it can take anywhere from 18 months to 3 years to complete a program. This includes class time as well as the required clinicals. Many programs will not allow a student to stop attending classes and then return without starting over from the beginning.
Size
Veterinary technician programs are very selective. They only allow a handful of new students to enter the program each year. This can range from eight students per year to as high as 30 students per year. The competition to be selected is great. Only students with the highest test scores and most hours working with animals in the past will be accepted.
Specialties Available
Many veterinary technician programs offer specialties for their students to choose from. They can include large animals, exotic animals and pediatrics as well as animal behavior, nutrition and research. Make sure that a program offers the specialties you are most interested in pursuing.
Misconceptions
Many students want to enter a veterinary technician program to go on to veterinary school at a major university. However, most universities only count the basic classes (English, algebra and chemistry) of a veterinary technician program to count toward a degree in veterinary medicine. Students are often unaware that basic classes are needed to complete the program and the length of time it takes to finish a veterinary technician program. Also, finishing all coursework and clinicals does not guarantee you will be a veterinary technician. You must also take and pass the board exam, which is a difficult test that many fail despite having excellent grades while in the program.
Warnings
Be careful of scams. Not all veterinary programs are fully accredited both on a state and national level. Make sure that the program you select is accredited, so you will be able to take the board exam and become a veterinary technician. There are also numerous online and correspondence programs that prey on those who do not understand the difference in being a veterinary technician and being a veterinary assistant. Assistants usually do not help with many medical procedures; they clean cages, feed and water the animals as well as walk the animals and inform the technician of any problems. A veterinary technician, depending on the area, usually makes at least twice a much as a veterinary assistant, whose pay is generally around minimum wage.
