After several failed application cycles, I became a RN.. now I want my DVM.

[forks4spoons]

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You guys... I'm not sure what to do.

Several years ago, after I'd applied to my in-state school, interviewed, and was either waitlisted or told no three consecutive times, an acceptance to an accelerated nursing program fell into my lap. I completed the program and have been working as an ICU RN for a couple of years now, but I'm not happy. I'm a good nurse, but the passion isn't there.

I don't love what I do. I don't enjoy caring for people the way that I always loved caring for animals. I worked as a tech for a few years before nursing school and would've done it forever if the pay hadn't been minimum wage. Friends share photos with me of surgeries they've performed or cases they've managed and I feel my heart being tugged toward veterinary medicine. It's never left my mind, I tell nurses I work with that "animals are my first love," but the pull is getting stronger with passing days. I recently went skydiving and it made me realize that I can do ANYthing I want after having jumped out of a plane. And I want to be a Vet. I always have, like many of you, and I know that I always will.

I've considered becoming an advanced practice RN and bounced around tons of ideas to my husband, but none of it has an appeal to me. If I did it, I would only be doing it for a paycheck and to get away from the bedside, not because it's something I've always dreamed of.

Now that I've openly admitted that I want to reapply, and have talked with my husband about it, he's not very supportive: it makes our financial situation less stable, I can't afford the additional student loan debt (I have a lot of debt from my previous life) and that I keep being wishy-washy. It really hurts to not have his support and sadly, I've taken a "like it or leave it" attitude with him about it.

I realize that I've just missed the application cycle (which is fine, I can work more and pay off some debts), but what do you think? Words of wisdom/support? anyone ever left a perfectly good career for vet school?

Thoughts? Kind words? Not-so-kind words?

Good luck to you all who are applying this cycle! 🙂

 

[MDB74]

Your husband is right about the finances. If you still have debt you haven't paid off then it's an objectively bad time to try a switch to one of the worst debt-to-income-ratio careers. You're most likely going to need to retake all of your prereqs, a 2ish year process, in order to apply again to something you already failed at multiple times. Can you do it? Sure. Does it seem like a bad idea? Sure does. Why not lean on your current well paying job to get yourself to a stable financial situation before chasing pipe dreams? Why not volunteer on the weekend at the local humane society? On a personal level I also disagree with your approach to your husband on this but I guess that's up to you on how you conduct your relationships.

 

[10999KL]

Your husband is right about the finances. If you still have debt you haven't paid off then it's an objectively bad time to try a switch to one of the worst debt-to-income-ration careers. You're most likely going to need to retake all of your prereqs, a 2ish year process, in order to apply again to something you already failed at multiple times. Can you do it? Sure. Does it seem like a bad idea? Sure does. Why not lean on your current well paying job to get yourself to a stable financial situation before chasing pipe dreams? Why not volunteer on the weekend at the local humane society? On a personal level I also disagree with your approach to you husband on this but I guess that's up to you on how you conduct your relationships.

I agree with this 100% OP. Debt piling up is a less than ideal situation: do you want a family, or animals, or anything bigger in life? Piling on debt will make that more difficult to live comfortably. Like MDB74 said, because of your timeline, most schools require the prerequisites to be completed within the past 5 years along with the GRE. That means you may have to spend more money just to go back to school for you to go further through professional school if you really want to become a DVM. I think that since you haven't been working on getting more experiences since you last applied to VMCAS, it is entirely possible that you could be declined again.

I also strongly disagree with "like it or leave it" mentality that you have with your husband, and since you posted about it I am going to comment on it. You guys are a support team however and you guys should be able to talk through what are your different options. Even if he doesn't like the idea of vet school he should be able to listen and then also give ideas as to what may be a reasonable compromise. My husband and I have gone back and forth on our plan for me to attend vet school and despite it not being easy, my plan if I get in this here is to move without him and a year later he will follow me once he finishes his Bachelors. In this case, both of us win and there's a little bit of discomfort but at the end of the day we both support each other in each of our life paths. Doesn't make it any less easy, but we took the time to find a path for that fit both of our needs. If I don't get in my backup plan is to finish my MPH program so that financially I am not setting us up for failure. This compromise has allowed us to come up with a very clear plan for our future, no matter if I'm accepted or not.

As a side note, there are plenty of careers that you could pursue that would compromise both of your stances on the veterinary goal you have, that you yourself aren't even sure if that's what you want.

You could 1) pursue an LVT/RVT/CVT career so that you could be involved in veterinary medicine but with the licensure make a decent amount and even have the option to specialize down the road. This may be more cost effective for you, but also along the lines of what you want to do. And at the end of the day if you choose to leave tech school because you don't think it's for you, financially you will not be screwed (I actually left tech school for my Masters). This doesn't place the enormous burden you're concerned about financially on you and your husband but you'll also get what you want which is to be in the Veterinary Medical world. The downside is you won't be the veterinarian but if cost or commitment or anything is a concern this is a good happy medium in my opinion.

You could also 2) pursue a Master's in Animal and Biomedical Industries or another associated degree. This would then allow you to utilize all of your previous courses (I'm making the assumption that you have an undergraduate degree) without worrying about whether they will be taken or not by a graduate-level program. A master's degree could open up different doors for you in the animal world be it in positions of leadership in a shelter or in a clinic, zoo, etc.

I don't believe you should leave your current career for another career that you're unsure if you want to be in. I truly believe that if you choose to go into veterinary medicine regardless of what role you choose, you should want to be there.

Like MDB74 said, you can always volunteer or like I mentioned you could get a job as a tech license or not or you could work in a shelter, etc. I knew someone who really wanted to be a veterinarian until they watched euthanasia and it changed everything for them. Volunteering or being a technician will allow you to see things that maybe you haven't seen before and might influence your decision to be within this field. The reason I proposed the veterinary technician path for you because you said that you were concerned about finances, both what it would cost to go to school as well as financially living comfortably with your family.

These are just my personal opinions. I think that if you are set on going down the veterinary path you should 1) find a way to save up and minimize your current debt 2) figure out what prerequisites you have and what you need, and if you have a reasonable GPA, 3) when you were declined previously did you undergo a folder review to tell you why you were rejected 4) what can you do to make yourself a better applicant than when you were rejected 5) are you eligible for specific loans or scholarships that could help alleviate the financial burden on yourself and your family for vet school and 6) are you truly committed to the long hours the four years plus of school, or are you just trying to leave your current career and the grass looks greener?

I wish you the best OP; let me know if you have any questions or anything I said was confusing [emoji846]


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[Coquette22]

Yeah, I'm kind of with your husband on this. If my partner wanted to quit a very stable, financially well off career to acquire (substantially) more student loan debt in a field that doesn't pay particularly well, I would be supremely unsupportive.

Pay off some debt. Maybe vet med can be a second career down the road when the finances are better. Try to be happy with what you're doing now. While I respect the fact that you're not passionate about nursing (and I get that, I could not do it), you are making a huge difference to the lives of your patients and their families. Volunteer at shelters, with wildlife rehab, foster/adopt from rescues.

 

[JaynaAli]

Would it be possible to continue to be a nurse, but find an animal-related charity to volunteer your time/finances to? Perhaps an animal shelter, low cost spay and neuter program, equine therapy, etc? That may allow you to have some of that 'hands on' experience with animals you are looking for but without the debt and associated issues with vet med.

If, however, you do hope to apply to veterinary school, you need to consider what you have or can do to improve your application. Since your last vet school applications have you done more shadowing/volunteering with a vet? Make sure that you do what you can to improve your application between now and the next admissions period.

 

[chickenlittle]

When I describe my workday, my challenges, etc to others, or sit around with friends to commiserate, the field that I often find that I (as a DVM) have the most in common with is nursing. I deal with grumpy clients all day. I get yelled at by clients every day. I'm on my feet all day. I don't always get time to pee. I'm always pushed to go faster and do more. I spend a lot of my day performing routine technical tasks. Etc. Given what a poor job most veterinary clinics do of employing adequate support staff, I FEEL like a nurse most days. So there's that.

More importantly, though, working as a DVM is NOT like working as a vet tech. As a vet tech, I dealt largely with animals... there was some client interaction, but I felt that my job was primarily animal-focused. As a DVM in a small animal practice, I deal largely with clients... there's some animal interaction, but my job is primarily human-focused. Just something to keep in mind.

There are plenty of ways to incorporate animals into your life. Volunteer. Get into an animal-related field that requires less expensive schooling. Whatever.

If you become a DVM, though, there WILL come a day when you lose your passion and your job is "just a paycheck." It happens. The only difference is whether you'll be broke and whether you'll still have a spouse. In the end, every job is just a job.... as my dad likes to remind me "if it was supposed to be enjoyable, they wouldn't have to pay you to show up every day."

 

[forks4spoons]

Hey everyone, I appreciate your candor. Truly. I'm probably not going to touch on every topic you've mentioned, but here goes.

I know it's a huge risk to think about leaving a good job to return to school to work in a career where the pay might actually be equivalent to the job I'm currently in. It's not about the money for me. And I do understand where my husband is coming from, but he's known that I wanted to be a vet all of the years that I've known him and that I decided on the RN gig because it was easy and safe. My approach may have not been the most diplomatic, but I'm sure that we will work it out. We always do. The earliest I could get into school would be Aug 2019, so we have some time.

I did have a packet review after every application cycle and one of the things that the dean suggested in my last review was that I complete my RN degree because I had already taken a few courses in nursing. Done. The other was a deficiency in large animal experience. I take care of large animals all the time at my hospital. 😉 (Truthfully, I'm probably not going to be able to make this deficiency up.) They also argued that I didn't understand the financial burden of school. Not true. I completely do, and I am now able able to apply my current job on my off time in order to whittle away at some of the expenses throughout the school year.

I already volunteer for a rescue organization and have my resume at a local clinic for some part time work because I miss it so much.

Thanks for all your input. If you have anything else to add, I'm all ears.

 

[SkiOtter]

It's not about the money for me.

:troll:

 

[hygebeorht]

Hey everyone, I appreciate your candor. Truly. I'm probably not going to touch on every topic you've mentioned, but here goes.

I know it's a huge risk to think about leaving a good job to return to school to work in a career where the pay might actually be equivalent to the job I'm currently in. It's not about the money for me. And I do understand where my husband is coming from, but he's known that I wanted to be a vet all of the years that I've known him and that I decided on the RN gig because it was easy and safe. My approach may have not been the most diplomatic, but I'm sure that we will work it out. We always do. The earliest I could get into school would be Aug 2019, so we have some time.

I did have a packet review after every application cycle and one of the things that the dean suggested in my last review was that I complete my RN degree because I had already taken a few courses in nursing. Done. The other was a deficiency in large animal experience. I take care of large animals all the time at my hospital. 😉 (Truthfully, I'm probably not going to be able to make this deficiency up.) They also argued that I didn't understand the financial burden of school. Not true. I completely do, and I am now able able to apply my current job on my off time in order to whittle away at some of the expenses throughout the school year.

I already volunteer for a rescue organization and have my resume at a local clinic for some part time work because I miss it so much.

Thanks for all your input. If you have anything else to add, I'm all ears.

Hey there. I don't know how much debt you have, but the way I look at it, if you want to be a vet, you'll get there eventually one way or the other. Might as well take the slow road and use your awesome RN salary to burn off some loans while you get your ducks in a row.

One of the vet students I work with was actually a human trauma nurse for ten years prior to vet school. You're not alone in this one.

Also, you live in TN. If you're serious about vet school but also serious about doing it in the most financially responsible manner, move to NC and establish residency. Great school and a great value. Don't worry so much about your breadth of experience - not every vet school cares that much how much large v. small animal experience you have.

Lastly, you'll need to compromise. If you go back to school, it'll mean a big financial and lifestyle change for you and your husband. You'll need to make a plan together if you're going to succeed. Don't be impatient. It is a long road.

 

[nohika]

:troll:

The people who say it's not about the money are not the ones that are 200k+ in debt. Which you would likely be.

 

[forks4spoons]

The people who say it's not about the money are not the ones that are 200k+ in debt. Which you would likely be.

I already am. What's an extra 100k in the grand scheme of things?

Hey there. I don't know how much debt you have, but the way I look at it, if you want to be a vet, you'll get there eventually one way or the other. Might as well take the slow road and use your awesome RN salary to burn off some loans while you get your ducks in a row.

One of the vet students I work with was actually a human trauma nurse for ten years prior to vet school. You're not alone in this one.

Also, you live in TN. If you're serious about vet school but also serious about doing it in the most financially responsible manner, move to NC and establish residency. Great school and a great value. Don't worry so much about your breadth of experience - not every vet school cares that much how much large v. small animal experience you have.

Lastly, you'll need to compromise. If you go back to school, it'll mean a big financial and lifestyle change for you and your husband. You'll need to make a plan together if you're going to succeed. Don't be impatient. It is a long road.

I appreciate your comments! Going to NC wouldn't be a bad idea, but my mother is here in TN and I've no desire to be so far away from her since my dad passed last year. TN is pretty much my only school until my mom is no longer around... and I want her around for as long as possible.

Patience isn't my strong suit, but there's no time like the present to work on my skills, eh?

 

[Caiter92]

I already am. What's an extra 100k in the grand scheme of things?



I appreciate your comments! Going to NC wouldn't be a bad idea, but my mother is here in TN and I've no desire to be so far away from her since my dad passed last year. TN is pretty much my only school until my mom is no longer around... and I want her around for as long as possible.

Patience isn't my strong suit, but there's no time like the present to work on my skills, eh?

I would definitely work on paying off loans for a while before applying to vet school. $300K is a lot in loans, and something that is going to be really hard to pay off with a vet salary. Plus, that $200k is going to gain a lot in interest while you're in school and not paying it down.

Like others have said, I would definitely work on getting more experience for a year or two before you decide if you want to try vet school again. You'll probably need to retake some preteqs at this point, but I think you should wait until you have more experience before you decide to start retaking classes 🙂

 

[DVMDream]

I already am. What's an extra 100k in the grand scheme of things

It'll be much more than $100k.... I'm at $400k.... my monthly payments are > $4k.... my paycheck doesn't cover it. I can't pay off student debt in the typical 10 years, doing IBR, which isn't ideal because I'll have >200k to pay in taxes when the loans are written off.

Trust me, $200k or more on top of already $200k is asking to drown in an ocean.

 

[WildZoo]

What's an extra 100k in the grand scheme of things?

...you're kidding, right?

 

[CaptainJackSparrow83]

I wanted to be a vet as a highschool student for about a year after the San Diego Zoo Vet came to a high school exposure to medical fields conference .
Anyway as an RN youre pretty much guaranteed a job, you have room to grow financially and pursue CRNA/ NP etc and make a phenomenal salary
I do believe its important you enjoy what you do, but you definitely need to consider the cost, debt is not fun.
And being a veterinarian is a lot of business focused ideas because frankly obama care doesnt cover your furry pal Fido.
Our dog chomped down on about 3 sq ft of carpet, my father paid 6 k to have a vet remove it from her intestines via surgery. How many people would be able to pay that much or be willing to ?

If you love animals however are in a financial tight lock, you should continue being an RN for a while longer, and try investing into animal shelters, or volunteering at something similar. Heck you could try to be one of the nurses who works at big amusement parks like seaworld or san diego zoo etc.

 

[jmo1012]

Other than your love of animals and desire to care for them, what is it about being a veterinarian that has such a strong pull for you? I interview students applying for vet school, and I'm always fairly disappointed that most people can't come up with a well-rounded response. It should take a lot of thought, and should be a very involved answer. If your answer then well aligns with what a veterinarian truly does, then I say go for it. However, I think many of us prior to vet school had ideas about what being a veterinarian is really all about, and I'd say that it seems a large number of people have found somewhere down the line on the other side of school that it isn't really what they expected, despite having thousands of hours of experience before school. I suspect it plays a significant role into the high mental illness rates in VM.

 

[CaptainJackSparrow83]

...you're kidding, right?

Bro you mean your dad didnt give you a weekly allowance of 100 K? Peasant.
Mine gave me a small loan of a million dollars.

 

[LetItSnow]

You guys... I'm not sure what to do.

Several years ago, after I'd applied to my in-state school, interviewed, and was either waitlisted or told no three consecutive times, an acceptance to an accelerated nursing program fell into my lap. I completed the program and have been working as an ICU RN for a couple of years now, but I'm not happy. I'm a good nurse, but the passion isn't there.

I don't love what I do. I don't enjoy caring for people the way that I always loved caring for animals. I worked as a tech for a few years before nursing school and would've done it forever if the pay hadn't been minimum wage. Friends share photos with me of surgeries they've performed or cases they've managed and I feel my heart being tugged toward veterinary medicine. It's never left my mind, I tell nurses I work with that "animals are my first love," but the pull is getting stronger with passing days. I recently went skydiving and it made me realize that I can do ANYthing I want after having jumped out of a plane. And I want to be a Vet. I always have, like many of you, and I know that I always will.

I've considered becoming an advanced practice RN and bounced around tons of ideas to my husband, but none of it has an appeal to me. If I did it, I would only be doing it for a paycheck and to get away from the bedside, not because it's something I've always dreamed of.

Now that I've openly admitted that I want to reapply, and have talked with my husband about it, he's not very supportive: it makes our financial situation less stable, I can't afford the additional student loan debt (I have a lot of debt from my previous life) and that I keep being wishy-washy. It really hurts to not have his support and sadly, I've taken a "like it or leave it" attitude with him about it.

I realize that I've just missed the application cycle (which is fine, I can work more and pay off some debts), but what do you think? Words of wisdom/support? anyone ever left a perfectly good career for vet school?

Thoughts? Kind words? Not-so-kind words?

Good luck to you all who are applying this cycle! 🙂

I hate to say it, at risk of squashing on a dream, but I personally wouldn't do it.

You're going to find that being a DVM means equal or less pay than an RN - so you're going to take a pay cut - and you probably will end up working more hours.

I know that from where you're at the whole "working with animals" things makes it seem like it will be worth it, but I strongly doubt it will be.

That said, I dunno your financial situation. If you can easily afford to take that hit, then I suppose it's viable. And to some degree, if you really want to do it and you never do, you're going to find yourself wondering "what if" the rest of your life.

But if it's possible, I'd find another way to scratch the itch.

Either way, best of luck. Big life decisions are tough. 🙁

 

[LetItSnow]

I deal largely with clients... there's some animal interaction, but my job is primarily human-focused.

Lots of truth to this. I mean, I touch every patient through our door, but for many of them my only actual contact with the animal is my exam. Most of my work is managing clients and typing notes/orders into a computer. So if hands-on is valuable to the OP, I think certain types of volunteer work might be more satisfying.

OP, ever considered volunteering with a wildlife rehab center? I did it before vet school, and I kinda miss it. There's something special about interacting with wildlife.

I mean, I don't even unblock blocked cats most of the time anymore; my techs usually do it and I only step in if they aren't having success. The only procedures I really do are procedures my techs can't legally do: surgery, laceration repairs, and scoping. I might really interact (beyond the exam) with only a couple animals per shift.

 

[LetItSnow]

Other than your love of animals and desire to care for them, what is it about being a veterinarian that has such a strong pull for you? I interview students applying for vet school, and I'm always fairly disappointed that most people can't come up with a well-rounded response.

I've noticed that, too. About half of the applicants have a really good trajectory: "I wanted to become a vet. I've done this stuff which has guided me on the path. This is what I want to do. This is why."

And the other half fumble around trying to come up with something but don't really have anything to say.

(Not directed at the OP specifically. She might have a great 'story'. I have no idea.)

 

[LetItSnow]

It really hurts to not have his support and sadly, I've taken a "like it or leave it" attitude with him about it.

Last comment.

That bit above caught my attention. I'm pretty sure that probably hurts a lot. My spouse was supportive (looking backwards, I'm not sure she would have been had she realized what she was getting into), so I had it easy.

But vet school is a pretty big strain on a relationship, and if you'd be going into it without enthusiastic support, you might find that to be a relationship-killing event. I'm not going to go all hyperbole on it and tell you "vet school will lead you to divorce," because that's nonsense - we had plenty of married couples and most of them survived. But.... it might lead there, and it definitely will lead to some pretty tough times.

I'd give that some consideration.

Regardless of some of the downer responses from some of us who have been down this road, we're all pretty supportive no matter what you decide. So, take a little heart there. Even DVMD, who is one of the loudest champions of the "don't do it" group, will still be supportive of what you do.

G'luck with the decision!

 

[DVMDream]

Even DVMD, who is one of the loudest champions of the "don't do it" group, will still be supportive of what you do.

G'luck with the decision!

This. If you want to do it, then do it. But be realistic about it. I don't sugar coat this profession. I am very realistic and people often see me as "negative" or discouraging. That isn't the truth. I think people need to know what they are REALLY getting into... the bad, the really bad and the good. If you can handle the bad and still really want to jump in feet first, I will be there to support that decision. But don't go in with blinders on, because you will regret it.

 

[britzen]

I'm at $400k.

I hope your degree came gold-plated for that price. Holy s---balls.

 

[Caiter92]

I hope your degree came gold-plated for that price. Holy s---balls.

Honestly, if you go OOS or island school and have any undergrad debt, once that interest capitalizes, $300+k is really not that rare...

 

[britzen]

Honestly, if you go OOS or island school and have any undergrad debt, once that interest capitalizes, $300+k is really not that rare...

I know, it just looks so painful... And among the reasons I will definitely not attend an island school and am very unlikely to go OOS.

 

[Caiter92]

I know, it just looks so painful... And among the reasons I will definitely not attend an island school and am very unlikely to go OOS.

A few schools have insane IS tuition or COL that could put you up that high as well 😉

 

[britzen]

A few schools have insane IS tuition or COL that could put you up that high as well 😉

My IS is one of the best deals out there... Dumb luck but I'll take it!

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[Coquette22]

I know it's a huge risk to think about leaving a good job to return to school to work in a career where the pay might actually be equivalent to the job I'm currently in. It's not about the money for me. And I do understand where my husband is coming from, but he's known that I wanted to be a vet all of the years that I've known him and that I decided on the RN gig because it was easy and safe. My approach may have not been the most diplomatic, but I'm sure that we will work it out. We always do. The earliest I could get into school would be Aug 2019, so we have some time.

Again, I'm not married, but you're essentially asking your husband to take on (jointly) potentially an entire second mortgage and have a 4 year period where one of the partners cannot work at all. It may not be about the money for you (but seriously, we hear this all the time until people are actually faced with the debt repayment plan), but you are not the only one affected in this situation. Do you have plans for home ownership (you didn't say if you owned right now)? Vacations? Retirement? Children? This is a huge commitment with very long term potential complications and "...but it's my dream!!" is not going to cut it.

Sorry if this is harsh, but I'm not sure we've managed to impress upon you the implications of what you're asking your husband to do. If you were single, I still wouldn't advise giving up a career as an RN to pursue a DVM while you're still in debt, but there is another person who is legally and financially impacted by your decisions, so to me, it's even more of a "nope".

 

[AshNiffler]

When I describe my workday, my challenges, etc to others, or sit around with friends to commiserate, the field that I often find that I (as a DVM) have the most in common with is nursing. I deal with grumpy clients all day. I get yelled at by clients every day. I'm on my feet all day. I don't always get time to pee. I'm always pushed to go faster and do more. I spend a lot of my day performing routine technical tasks. Etc. Given what a poor job most veterinary clinics do of employing adequate support staff, I FEEL like a nurse most days. So there's that.

More importantly, though, working as a DVM is NOT like working as a vet tech. As a vet tech, I dealt largely with animals... there was some client interaction, but I felt that my job was primarily animal-focused. As a DVM in a small animal practice, I deal largely with clients... there's some animal interaction, but my job is primarily human-focused. Just something to keep in mind.

There are plenty of ways to incorporate animals into your life. Volunteer. Get into an animal-related field that requires less expensive schooling. Whatever.

If you become a DVM, though, there WILL come a day when you lose your passion and your job is "just a paycheck." It happens. The only difference is whether you'll be broke and whether you'll still have a spouse. In the end, every job is just a job.... as my dad likes to remind me "if it was supposed to be enjoyable, they wouldn't have to pay you to show up every day."

This.

 

[Cyndia]

They also argued that I didn't understand the financial burden of school. Not true. I completely do, and I am now able able to apply my current job on my off time in order to whittle away at some of the expenses throughout the school year.

I'm going to have to agree with everyone else that is posting in here, and with what that school said to you in your review. I really don't think you understand the financial burden, and please don't be upset with hearing that - I also did not understand it fully either prior to vet school. I had a very similar mentality to you, where vet school was the most important thing to me, and money didn't matter. I didn't get in to my IS and ended up taking one of the OOS offers that I got, primarily because I was afraid I wouldn't get in on another try. I'm going to end with ~260k in debt, and that was with only 5k left over from undergrad.

While the number seems like it's not that bad, the interest rates are seriously killer. They are so much higher than I thought, to the point where I have calculated that I will only be making payments on the interest, and will not be able to touch the principal. Which just means it keeps growing. As DVMD mentioned, if you do one of the loan forgiveness programs, you still have to pay income taxes on any amount they forgive, which comes out to a HUGE lump sum at the end. You're also racking up interest while you're in school. If you fall in love with a specialty in vet school and decide to pursue an internship/residency, you're going to rack up a heck of a lot more interest while you're making ~30k a year.

You've also mentioned using your RN degree to work and make money during school. Give up that idea, because you truly will not have much time to work while you are in school. I tried for a little while during my first year, but had to quit because my grades were suffering. I did have one semester my third year where it was feasible to pick up some tech shifts because I specifically chose to take less classes, but it didn't amount to much money. Vet school is honestly a full time job - worse, probably, since you can't just go home and relax, you usually have to keep on studying.

I'm not going to touch on the relationship stuff since I think the others have summarized points on that pretty well. A support system is very important in veterinary school, and so I just want to urge you to make sure that you make your personal life a priority, and really consider the points Coquette, LIS, and the others have mentioned. I feel sorry for you because it's certainly a tough situation, and it can be tough to face reality, so I wish you luck with figuring things out!

 

[EngrSC]

I haven’t fully left my career as an engineer yet. I’m still working part time while I finish my prereqs as a full time student. At first it was hard for my husband to understand - like leaving a relatively stable job with good pay to have no income for 4 years, take on student loans, and likely live separately from him during vet school (he’s military so odds are we’ll be separated). It’s a tough pill to swallow and it took some time for him to get on board. And we definitely had arguments when I was working full time in engineering, part time in a vet hospital, and taking a night class because I was never home and he felt a bit neglected. We worked through it all, thank God, but try to understand where he’s coming from. This affects him just as much as it affects you. And to be quite honest, I wouldn’t pursue this if it meant financial suicide for us. For just me, maybe, but I wouldn’t want to drag him into the deep with me. Ultimately my marriage is more important (which is hard to say because I love vet med so much!)

 

[PppermintTwist]

An extra 100K in loans adds up to a lot more when you add on interest. If you do the pay X amount for 25 years then are "forgiven" the rest, you have to pay taxes on what was forgiven. Out of state tuition is going to be more like 200K to 350K... it's a lot of debt.

As an LVT you won't make as much but you also wouldn't take on as much debt and you get more hands on with the animals. ( minus surgery)

You'd take a major pay cut being a tech though.

I think you should do some couples counseling before applying again. Learn to communicate really well so you could handle the stress of vet school. You have to be on the same page. You can't just tell him to suck it up you're doing what you want with or without him. That's not healthy. You are a team. Communicate with each other and work together to find a plan that would make you both happy and is feasible.

How many times have you applied? I would set a limit. I will try twice more and then pursue something else for example. You can't keep throwing money at this (especially borrowed money) with no return in sight.

Try looking at calculators for lifetime earnings. AVMA also has a debt payback calculator.

I'm not saying give up on your dream. But don't give up on what you have for what you could maybe have.

 

[that redhead]

I absolutely agree with everyone else - not worth it, don't do it.

1. You've already applied and been rejected THREE TIMES. You had multiple opportunities to improve your application and you did not do so in a satisfactory fashion. What makes you think this time will be different? Harsh as it is to say, have you considered that the people reviewing your application rejected you because you would not be a good fit for the profession?

2. You have a strong career in a stable field paying presumably decent money. Nursing is SUCH a broad field and you don't have to be bedside daily; consider another part of nursing that you may find more stimulating. Much of veterinary medicine is like nursing; love of animals alone isn't going to get you through the tough times.

3. The debt. Like DVMD said, many people cannot actually afford their loans on their salaries, PERIOD. I'm fortunate that I can, but it's only because my supportive spouse pays all of our bills while I put every cent of every pay check into my loans. If you have an unsupportive spouse that you end up divorcing during vet school, that leaves you up a particular creek without a paddle and that is a SCARY place to be. Unfortunately I agree that I don't think that you're really grasping the gravity of the financial situation.

I feel as though people in our generation are very much susceptible to the "hopes and dreams" mentality where there's always something better out there that must be pursued at all costs, that we'd always DREAMED of something and so we must see it through to fruition. But there is no reason you can't work with animals and improve their lives and bring yourself happiness without going to vet school. Maybe work part-time as a vet assistant if money is no issue, but don't put yourself and your spouse in a huge financial hole for something that is very much romanticized.

 

[hazelmoo]

OP: would it be possible to cut down your nursing career to part time, and also pick up a part time job as a veterinary technician? I feel like that could be a good compromise for both you and your husband.

 

[twelvetigers]

Hey. So. We've been here the same amount of time (joined in 2008). We both applied three times - slightly different years, but still, three times. The big difference is - I got into a vet school, and you did not, so you went on to do nursing instead.

Here we are, seven years and some change after we joined. Based on how you feel, surely I must be the happy and fulfilled one, and you are the one missing out on that elusive dream you tried so hard to achieve...

But it's not like that. I bet I hate my job just as much as you do, and for the same reasons. Okay, so there isn't some other profession out there tugging at my heartstrings, sure. That's different. But it's not that awesome. It's okay. It's a job. And if you make $75k or more and are okay with human bodily fluids, then I'm officially jealous of YOU. Especially if your shift ends and you leave. So there's that.

We all have debt in here. If you can successfully pay down your debt, make progress, and have a timeline set to pay it off - you are better off than 90% of us. I wouldn't change that.

If you HATE nursing, you can try and find something different. But don't do something with as much debt as vet med, especially if you think it's gonna be so different and so amazing because it's ANIMALS... nah, it's people. People with sick animals. It's not any better.

But like I always say when someone is arguing with everyone here because they aren't getting the answers they want to hear... do what you want! It has no bearing on us. It's your life, your debt. Just don't take the decision lightly, and don't lose a marriage on the way unless that's what you want.

 

[LetItSnow]

if you think it's gonna be so different and so amazing because it's ANIMALS... nah, it's people. People with sick animals. It's not any better.

Best way I've ever heard this put.

 

[that redhead]

But don't do something with as much debt as vet med, especially if you think it's gonna be so different and so amazing because it's ANIMALS... nah, it's people. People with sick animals. It's not any better.

1,000x this.

 

[forks4spoons]

Hey guys, thanks so much for all the input! I’m actually kind of overwhelmed by all of the responses, so my apologies that I don’t address everyone individually.

I’ve gleaned several important pieces of information from all of your comments. 1. Don’t take on the debt - it’s financial suicide. 2. Don’t be such a jerk to your husband and try to communicate better and 3. Maybe the grass isn’t greener on the other side.

Oh, and I can’t forget, pet parents can be terrible. (Which I knew.)

The comment I made about “another 100k” was definitely said in jest. I find that if I approach my unfathomable amount of debt with humor, it doesn’t make me quite as ill.

My debt is scary as hell. I know this. And that’s what all of this boils down to, no matter how much my heart yearns to be a vet. Currently, I’m eligible for public service loan forgiveness since I’m a nurse at a nonprofit. I’ve been trying to do some research on if this would translate to working for a nonprofit (shelter) as a vet. Does anyone know the answer to that? I realize that given our current state of political affairs, this program could be nixed before my ten years is up no matter what I do. There’s also the exceptionally difficult to obtain HPSP scholarship for the Army Vet Corps, which I considered during my earlier application cycles, but I can’t bank on that working out.

So, I guess I’m stuck mulling it over for a bit longer. I’ll continue to pursue a part time gig in a clinic and do my volunteer work because those things make me happy and happiness is important for someone whose life has been derailed several times by depression.

Thanks for all your input. Truly. You’ve been super helpful, even if it’s not what I really wanted to hear. 🙂

 

[Coquette22]

So, I guess I’m stuck mulling it over for a bit longer. I’ll continue to pursue a part time gig in a clinic and do my volunteer work because those things make me happy and happiness is important for someone whose life has been derailed several times by depression.

Thanks for all your input. Truly. You’ve been super helpful, even if it’s not what I really wanted to hear. 🙂

Holy crap. Someone actually listened for once instead of arguing with us. Thank you. You've made my day.

 

[LetItSnow]

Holy crap. Someone actually listened for once instead of arguing with us. Thank you. You've made my day.

In a sad way. It feels like crushing someone's 'dream'. I mean, I stand by what I said, but it sucks that there are such huge barriers to this industry that we can't be all "Hey!!! Come join us in veterinarian land! It's awesome cool over here!"

I hope @forks4spoons is able to find a way to make things work. Maybe hubby comes on board and lands a great-paying job that takes the financial stress away. Or something.

 

[CaptainJackSparrow83]

In a sad way. It feels like crushing someone's 'dream'. I mean, I stand by what I said, but it sucks that there are such huge barriers to this industry that we can't be all "Hey!!! Come join us in veterinarian land! It's awesome cool over here!"

I hope @forks4spoons is able to find a way to make things work. Maybe hubby comes on board and lands a great-paying job that takes the financial stress away. Or something.

Hopes and dreams arent crushed, you cant stop OP from doing anything. Just offering advice.
Idk why I am in the vet forum but as a med student planning on leaving, many health care degrees are in some ways career suicide for many many years

 

[SkiOtter]

Idk why I am in the vet forum but as a med student

You're in the vet forum because it is/we are more fun than the allo/preallo forums 😛

 

[nohika]

Holy crap. Someone actually listened for once instead of arguing with us. Thank you. You've made my day.

I came here expecting "but I'm special and here's why" and am pleasantly surprised.

Also re: shelter vets - depending on where you are, not all shelters employ full-time vets. A lot have vets on volunteer basis. So whether or not it may work, it's probably going to be a hard job to find.

Fwiw, I deal with depression/anxiety a lot and it's derailed my life a lot as well. I've come to accept that if vet school is in my cards, it may just not be in my cards at this exact moment. Just because you don't go for it now doesn't eliminate the possibility of going for it later, when you're on more secure financial footing.

 

[JosephKnechtDVM]

In a sad way. It feels like crushing someone's 'dream'. I mean, I stand by what I said, but it sucks that there are such huge barriers to this industry that we can't be all "Hey!!! Come join us in veterinarian land! It's awesome cool over here!"

I hope @forks4spoons is able to find a way to make things work. Maybe hubby comes on board and lands a great-paying job that takes the financial stress away. Or something.

The sad thing is that over my nearly thirty years in the field that problems like student debt, curriculum reform and improvement just never get solved but seem to get worse because nobody believes anything really needs changing in the "best profession in the world" . And thirty years ago, vets were not pulling in a lot of money, but the debt was more manageable relative to income. At some point no one will want to put themselves through the process and the toil when other work is more financially and mentally rewarding and just plain easier to do for either the same or even less money no matter how much passion they have for veterinary medicine.

 

[PppermintTwist]

I'm impressed with your response to everyone's advise.

There are some programs for veterinarians where you can get some of your loans forgiven for work in certain areas but I believe that the funding for those programs is not really there at the moment, so not something I'd rely on.

I'd take advantage of the nurse program and get your debt down.

If you can get your debt to a point where you can work less then you can have more time to do "something" with animals.

 

[Jess Monster]

My debt is scary as hell. I know this. And that’s what all of this boils down to, no matter how much my heart yearns to be a vet. Currently, I’m eligible for public service loan forgiveness since I’m a nurse at a nonprofit. I’ve been trying to do some research on if this would translate to working for a nonprofit (shelter) as a vet. Does anyone know the answer to that? I realize that given our current state of political affairs, this program could be nixed before my ten years is up no matter what I do.

Yes, that type of job would most likely qualify.

Any 501c3 work will qualify as long as it is full time, you are in repayment and not delinquent, and you are in a income driven repayment plan. Also, only federal loans that were taken out under a promissory note signed after the start of PSLFP are eligible. There are lots of rules and lots of misinformation out there as well as unscrupulous dinguses who push things like loan consolidation even though it would disqualify you.

No one knows what ****tery the future holds but even if they cancel this forgiveness program and old borrowers are not grandfathered in, you can still do just IBR (if they don't screw with that too) and have your remainder forgiven after paying on it for 25 years. You will have that forgiven amount taxed as income but at least it's something.

(Not to sound cavalier, but if you don't have the money to pay those extra taxes in 25 years you do what everyone does in that situation, you get a lawyer and work **** out with the IRS... assuming the country hasn't spiraled into some kind of Mad Maxian apocalyptic hellhole by then.)

So, it sucks and it's a major long term issue that will impact your life and finances, but it's not completely hopeless.

 

[forks4spoons]

I came here expecting "but I'm special and here's why" and am pleasantly surprised.

But I am special! ...just like everyone else. I'm realistic, too, and sincerely appreciate the objectivity in the responses I've received.

Yes, that type of job would most likely qualify.

Any 501c3 work will qualify as long as it is full time, you are in repayment and not delinquent, and you are in a income driven repayment plan. Also, only federal loans that were taken out under a promissory note signed after the start of PSLFP are eligible. There are lots of rules and lots of misinformation out there as well as unscrupulous dinguses who push things like loan consolidation even though it would disqualify you.

No one knows what ****tery the future holds but even if they cancel this forgiveness program and old borrowers are not grandfathered in, you can still do just IBR (if they don't screw with that too) and have your remainder forgiven after paying on it for 25 years. You will have that forgiven amount taxed as income but at least it's something.

(Not to sound cavalier, but if you don't have the money to pay those extra taxes in 25 years you do what everyone does in that situation, you get a lawyer and work **** out with the IRS... assuming the country hasn't spiraled into some kind of Mad Maxian apocalyptic hellhole by then.)

So, it sucks and it's a major long term issue that will impact your life and finances, but it's not completely hopeless.

Hey Jess, thanks for all the information!

I'm pretty concerned about the PSLF myself from all that I've read. Seems like it wasn't quite the best move on the Fed's part, but I just have to stay grandfathered (I've already signed up for my current loans through my job) to survive.

Not all hope is lost. I just have to figure out a solid plan to make it happen. I can't go into it blindly.

I don't want to live a life with more regrets.