Transitioning from veterinary to human medicine?

SDN Members don't see this ad. (About Ads)

X

Originally Posted by PanicMoon

Hello,

I've recently decided to make the switch from veterinary to human medicine & I need some major guidance.

I won't go into my full story for now because I don't want to overload this particular thread, but basically, I am a successful CVT (similar to an RN in human medicine) who is craving more than what a support staff role is offering me. I did consider going to DVM school, but I don't feel that is the right path for me for several reasons. I have a strong passion for medicine & I feel that medical school is the way to go.

What I'm wondering is...will my veterinary experience & knowledge be seen as an asset or looked down upon? I recently completed a CNA course just as a simple way to test waters of human medicine & I have to say, some of the other CNA students & the RNs I encountered weren't too nice about it.

Is there some sort of stigma associated with veterinary medicine in human medicine? To me, medicine is medicine. I'm not daft enough to think that all of my knowledge will transfer over & be applicable, but I am bringing a very good foundation to the table & I think that should be recognized & at least worth something. Am I wrong to think this?

I look forward to some insight & would appreciate some honest opinions!

As long as you have a legitimate reason for wanting to switch to human medicine and can support it, then I see no problem. I had previous veterinary experience and a simple explanation in my interviews was all that was necessary. You will also have a lot of good skills that will carry over to human medicine.

Originally Posted by PanicMoon

Hello,

I've recently decided to make the switch from veterinary to human medicine & I need some major guidance.

I won't go into my full story for now because I don't want to overload this particular thread, but basically, I am a successful CVT (similar to an RN in human medicine) who is craving more than what a support staff role is offering me. I did consider going to DVM school, but I don't feel that is the right path for me for several reasons. I have a strong passion for medicine & I feel that medical school is the way to go.

1) What I'm wondering is...will my veterinary experience & knowledge be seen as an asset or looked down upon? I recently completed a CNA course just as a simple way to test waters of human medicine & I have to say, some of the other CNA students & the RNs I encountered weren't too nice about it.

2) Is there some sort of stigma associated with veterinary medicine in human medicine? To me, medicine is medicine. I'm not daft enough to think that all of my knowledge will transfer over & be applicable, but I am bringing a very good foundation to the table & I think that should be recognized & at least worth something.

3) Am I wrong to think this?

1) Logically, it should be considered an asset, but adcomms, like other healthcare professionals, come from all walks of life and some won't understand what you have to bring to the table, due to ignorance. Your experience will not be looked down on, though. It's just that you'd be expected to have the usual and customary experiences with human medicine and shadowing human docs, the same as any other applicant.

2) Absolutely not. At least, no more than there would be for a pediatrician, who is similarly handicapped by having patients who can't give a history. (That was a joke.)

3) I think you're fine to have personal confidence that your current skill set will eventually transfer and give you an edge. Just don't expect others to acknowledge this. They just won't understand.

One of my friends used to be a CVT for 7 years before she decided to apply to med school. She did say that a few interviewers were curious as to why she chose not to go to vet school instead. As long as you have a good answer, you'll be OK. I don't think anyone will look down upon you for having veterinary experiences.

X

Originally Posted by PanicMoon

I'm hoping I have a "good" reason to make the switch. Due to family complications, I was forced to drop out of university & rushed into a career to make money fast & be able to support myself, so I enrolled in an 18-month vet tech program. My whole life I've loved animals, but now that I am older, I'm finding that my love for animals is more of a "hobby" while medicine is my real passion.

This is an excellent and cogent reason to explain your switch to human medicine.

Originally Posted by PanicMoon

I've considered going to veterinary school for a long time, but I feel like there are less opportunities in the veterinary world. I absolutely do not see myself in private day practice, I'm not interested in emergency medicine & getting into a specialty is extremely difficult. While shelter medicine has its appeal, I'm not really into surgery & a vast majority of shelter medicine is doing spays & neuters.

This part is more complicated and speaks more to your lack of interest in veterinary medicine than your interest in human medicine. The climate and culture within each specialty of veterinary medicine is different from that in similar specialties of human medicine. This is the part others were referring to when they said "don't expect them to understand." Keep it short and stick with paragraph one as a reasonable explanation of your motivation to switch.

Originally Posted by PanicMoon

After medical school, I envision myself working at a non-profit hospital as a pediatrician. I currently work for a very large non-profit organization & the environment suits me. Is this a realistic goal?

This is a realistic goal and an admirable one at that. Be sure to accrue significant long-term volunteer experience to reinforce your commitment to the non-profit sector.

Originally Posted by PanicMoon

I am bringing a very good foundation to the table & I think that should be recognized & at least worth something. Am I wrong to think this?

Don't expect any credit for your animal care experiences. The same would apply to a pre-medical student switching to a pre-veterinary track: clinical experience with people has absolutely no bearing on one's ability to handle animals.

On a final note (and this may seem elementary), don't assume human systems and anatomy function in a way that is even analogous to animal systems and anatomy. You undoubtedly have a wealth of knowledge of animal systems, but asserting your knowledge as applied to human systems will trigger countless biases in admissions committees and other medically educated professionals. It will seem unfair because much of your knowledge does apply, but don't presume. Avoiding this bias will be the biggest challenge you'll face applying with a pre-veterinary background. Let me be the first to welcome you to the infinite congregation of pre-medical hopefuls!

Because clearly someone who understands the comparative anatomy of horses, cows, birds, dogs, and cats couldn't figure out that some aspects of human anatomy would be similar while others would be different . You do realize that humans are just another species of animal, right?

OP: Good luck with your transition! Did you fail a bunch of classes before dropping out of college or did you leave in good standing?

Originally Posted by SnowyRox

Because clearly someone who understands the comparative anatomy of horses, cows, birds, dogs, and cats couldn't figure out that some aspects of human anatomy would be similar while others would be different . You do realize that humans are just another species of animal, right?

This isn't my bias and it certainly isn't rational, but it is prevalent.

Originally Posted by PanicMoon

I am a successful CVT (similar to an RN in human medicine)

Hahaha not evenn. A vet technician is no where near a 2-4 year nursing program not even counting undergraduate work..

X

Originally Posted by PanicMoon

Where are you getting this from? I have an AS degree in veterinary technology & I hold a medical license in my state. How is that much different from an ADN?

As you probably know, RN covers nurses with a 4 year degree as well. You're definitely justified in claiming a veterinary equivalency to a nurse holding an ADN, but these types of statements are the kind that will trigger negative biases in medically trained interviewers, as they do in biomaj. It's not fair, but it will happen. That's your disadvantage.

X

X

Originally Posted by PanicMoon

That's completely untrue. I completed CNA training. That took weeks, veterinary technician training took years. I went through many rotations, including ICU, radiology, soft tissue surgery & orthopedic surgery. What CNA places IV catheters, sets drip rates, administers SQ/IM/IV injections, intubates, surtures, etc?

Originally Posted by PanicMoon

CVT covers a 4-year degree as well.

This has been interesting. Nice to know what I'm up against!

Originally Posted by i will be an md

Not a fair comparison, but it's the one medically trained interviewers will make.

Best of luck to you and I hope you will prove us wrong!

X