If you love animals, you may be suited to becoming a vet tech.
Pet nurse is a non-technical title for a veterinarian technologist or veterinarian technician. Both of these professions fill the role of nurse in a veterinarian's office or animal hospital. Although these two animal health professionals perform very similar duties, they arrive at their positions through different training. Veterinarian technologists earn a bachelor's degree, while veterinarian technicians have an associate's degree in veterinary technology.
Instructions
1. Online schools give busy adults the advantage of flexibility.
Locate a community college, veterinary science college or vocational school that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Online learning is also an option. Distance learning schools are subject to accreditation in the same manner as on-campus programs.
2. Veterinary technology degrees are as challenging as registered nursing degrees.
Attend classes. Basic courses are veterinary technology, biology, microbiology and chemistry. Advanced areas of study are hematology, radiography, surgical principles, anesthesia, comparative anatomy and physiology, animal medical techniques and animal husbandry and diseases. Depending on the level of education you are pursuing, you will have three to seven semesters of theory, followed by a semester of clinical training. Your clinical training will consist of an externship arranged for by your school.
3. Your degree is a great investment in your future.
Graduate with an AAS in Veterinary Technology or a BS in Veterinary Technology. Your entire education should take between two and four years, if you attend full-time classes. Most schools require full-time attendance, because of course interdependencies.
4. Certification is the last step before employment.
Take certification testing. All states require certification. Job titles are licensed veterinary technician (LVT), certified veterinary technician (CVT) or registered veterinary technician (RVT).
5. Continuing education credits are available online.
Earn continuing education credits. Continuing education maintains your certification. Individual state's laws mandate the number of credits needed.
Tags: veterinary technician, clinical training, Continuing education, education credits