Small Animal Rotating Internships (VIRMP Hunting)

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meweed

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Hey everyone! I'm a current 4th year veterinary student who's already stressed about the VIRMP... I am just so overwhelmed about all of the internship options and wanting to choose one that's right for me.
Does anyone have a list/know of what internships actually let interns do surgery? I am super passionate about surgery (and potentially want to do a residency) but would love to get more experience actually getting to cut during my internship year. For example, if I don't end up doing a residency, I would like to have knowledge and practice in common emergency surgeries that I might have to perform as an ER vet. Thoughts? Opinions?
 
Hey everyone! I'm a current 4th year veterinary student who's already stressed about the VIRMP... I am just so overwhelmed about all of the internship options and wanting to choose one that's right for me.
Does anyone have a list/know of what internships actually let interns do surgery? I am super passionate about surgery (and potentially want to do a residency) but would love to get more experience actually getting to cut during my internship year. For example, if I don't end up doing a residency, I would like to have knowledge and practice in common emergency surgeries that I might have to perform as an ER vet. Thoughts? Opinions?
The best way to get the most accurate info will be to contact programs you are interested in and get put in touch with current interns.
 
I think it also depends on goals. For my example, interns at my institution do get to cut a lot of ER surgeries during internship. However, I would likely not strongly recommend our internship for an applicant wanting to do a surgery residency because I think other programs would set them up better for the surgery match.

I agree with Shorty that the biggest thing is reaching out to current interns. VIRMP does have a box that specifies if interns can do surgery but that isn’t always accurate.
 
Hey everyone! I'm a current 4th year veterinary student who's already stressed about the VIRMP... I am just so overwhelmed about all of the internship options and wanting to choose one that's right for me.
Does anyone have a list/know of what internships actually let interns do surgery? I am super passionate about surgery (and potentially want to do a residency) but would love to get more experience actually getting to cut during my internship year. For example, if I don't end up doing a residency, I would like to have knowledge and practice in common emergency surgeries that I might have to perform as an ER vet. Thoughts? Opinions?
When I was looking, I toured VCA Valley - they made it a point that all interns do certain common surgeries by the time they were done. I just checked their listing and it appears that is still the case.

I think your goal here is perfectly reasonable. Primary surgeon experience as a rotating intern is hard to come by. Agreed with talking to programs as well, particularly current interns. Just because the VIRMP listing says you get to do x, doesn't mean you get to do it a lot.
 
I think it also depends on goals. For my example, interns at my institution do get to cut a lot of ER surgeries during internship. However, I would likely not strongly recommend our internship for an applicant wanting to do a surgery residency because I think other programs would set them up better for the surgery match.

I agree with Shorty that the biggest thing is reaching out to current interns. VIRMP does have a box that specifies if interns can do surgery but that isn’t always accurate.
What institution are you at? I'm still trying to decide whether I actually want to be a surgeon (with specialization) or just an internship-trained doctor that cuts... so any internships with surgery experience is something I'm looking into!
 
What institution are you at? I'm still trying to decide whether I actually want to be a surgeon (with specialization) or just an internship-trained doctor that cuts... so any internships with surgery experience is something I'm looking into!
PM me, I like to pretend I have some semblance of anonymity. 🙂
 
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