Getting Ample Experience

[Packers04]

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I was wondering what I could do to better prepare myself for vet school while waiting for interviews this year or applying next year. I currently shadow at a small vet clinic for about 10 hours a week while working full-time in a pharmacy compounding sterile preparations. In total I have obtained about 300 hours shadowing, however there seems to be a void in what I am able to do at the vet clinic as a volunteer and I am not sure she is willing to take me on as an employee because of my sporadic work schedule that I have in the pharmacy. The vet lets me get involved with restraining animals, however I do not get to place catheters or further develop clinical techniques because I am still considered a volunteer. I have tried shadowing at other clinics but they seem to be too busy to allow me to come in whenever and yet I still basically have my hands tied behind my back. I dont know I'm sure I am just going crazy, is this experience plateau typical of veterinary applicants?

 

[goldielocks137]

I think it could be argued that getting varied experience is more beneficial than learning specific tasks (ie catheter placement, lab work), which you will be retaught later on in vet school anyway. Not sure if you only have small animal experience, but because that is all you mentioned I am going to assume so. If I were you I would look into trying to shadow at other types of clinics, such as large animal, exotics, shelter, or lab animal. Particularly if you don't have time to get a job, shadowing even once a week will add up and you can learn about other fields which will strengthen your app.

 

[cuitlamiztli]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about learning specific tasks. Everyone entering veterinary school has a wide variety of clinical experiences; it's not really an "everyone knows how to draw blood but ME" situation. You will learn how to do these things in veterinary school! And keep in mind that there are probably liability issues/concerns with having a volunteer place catheters, etc.

If you want to broaden your current experience, my advice: Send out your resume to every clinic within, say, an hour's drive (or whatever you are willing/able to drive) and explain in your cover letter that you are applying for veterinary school and are looking for a volunteer or part-time position or whatever to further your clinical veterinary experience. I'd be surprised if you didn't hear back from at least a few clinics. Don't forget about zoos, humane societies, and wildlife rehabilitation centers, either; the hours tend to be flexible and you usually get good experience. Oh, and if you have an emergency clinic in your area--try them! The hours are usually horrible but IMO it is excellent experience.

If you can (or haven't already done so), I might also talk to your pharm boss about ironing out a regular work schedule; even if your hours differ from day to day, I'd try to get it so they're consistent week-to-week. It'll help immensely when trying to fit in shadowing/volunteer time.

Good luck!

 

[StartingoverVet]

The big question you have to ask is what do you want the experience for...

1st off, if you are worried about being behind others, don't bother. As has been mentioned, there are plenty of us who didn't have much hands on experience, and honestly it doesn't really matter. Some clinicians prefer neophytes who are a blank slate to teach anyway. Plus, there are plenty of wet labs at clubs where you can learn those skills.

If you are trying to look better for potential interviews then by all means look for some more varied experience. Again, as has been mentioned, a full-on blitz of local clinics is appropriate.

If you just want to help prepare yourself for vet school, then I would focus on either taking more upper level classes (particularly the ones you will have to take first year), or really trying to understand the medicine behind what you are observing at the clinic you are in. It is not the procedures you need to learn, it is why they are done a certain way.

My $0.02.