VEG - pros and cons

[dogtortori]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi! Current 3rd year vet student at LIU. I've been interested in VEG and their NERD program. I recently completed a 1 week externship at their Hoboken location and had the BEST time. I would like to hear from other VEGgies that completed the NERD program and moved on to working as a DVM for them, as I'm trying to get as much insight as possible. I'm interested in the hospitals in the CA, NY/NJ, TX, and FL areas if anyone has any info for me on their experience! From what I heard, it really is location dependent so I wanted to reach out through SDN. Thank you so much!

 

[pp9]

Hi! Current 3rd year vet student at LIU. I've been interested in VEG and their NERD program. I recently completed a 1 week externship at their Hoboken location and had the BEST time. I would like to hear from other VEGgies that completed the NERD program and moved on to working as a DVM for them, as I'm trying to get as much insight as possible. I'm interested in the hospitals in the CA, NY/NJ, TX, and FL areas if anyone has any info for me on their experience! From what I heard, it really is location dependent so I wanted to reach out through SDN. Thank you so much!

You're unlikely to get responses for specific locations (maybe even any location?) on here, in reality our poster pool is very small. I'd post in the larger FB groups if you're a member (NOMV, debt-free vets, etc.). I don't think we've had anyone on here who a) completed the NERD program b) is still active/posting.

At best, I can give you some info on the Tampa area VEGs, but that info is also several years stale by now and things change so frequently.

 

[battie]

VEG also reportedly has a NDA in their contracts, so getting good info from both sides (those that stayed and those that left) may be difficult.

Two years ago, you did not get to choose your NERD location and your NERD location wasn't obligated to keep you either. A friend of a friend was switched from one location to another one in a completely different state two weeks before her start date. Literally had to back out because they wouldn't accommodate her situation.

They pay phenomenally, but would need to for 1) how much they charge and 2) expectations for the doctors.

The VEGs in this area are like any other corporation. Some are phenomenal with a great team and great medicine. Others are staffed primarily by early career docs with minimal support in terms of staffing and mentorship. The greatest difference is they're still privately owned as a corp rather than equity owned or public option.

 

[pp9]

They pay phenomenally

This though. In my limited research they probably have the highest DVM salaries in the ER biz. You do really have to buy into their culture, though. Anecdotally from my network of ER people, the techs seem to stay on for long periods, the DVMs not so much. Do with that info what you will.

 

[JaynaAli]

I’ve never been to one or personally known anyone who worked at one.

The two people I do know who have visited them as pet owners initially liked the ability to stay with their pet, but neither would return after conclusion of their care. In both instances, (one case a dystocia in a show dog, another case a GDV in a show dog) my friends reported that it seemed like they got in over their head and the dogs had to be transferred to other hospitals for further/more intense care. The dystocia had to wait over six hours to get cut. And outcomes were ultimately poor for both dogs…the GDV died three days post op and the dystocia had several stillborn puppies plus the dam never accepted the living puppies so the litter had to be hand raised. High risk emergencies are high risk though, so take the anecdote for what little it’s worth.

 

[pp9]

it seemed like they got in over their head and the dogs had to be transferred to other hospitals for further/more intense care.

OP - read this thread where we discuss VEG/NERD program VEG NERD program ? what Jayna has said here was my biggest issue when I worked ER in Tampa for BP. Again, idk what's happening presently but for the few years I was there, it was a legitimate problem that VEG was creating

 

[pp9]

Also worth pointing out that a 1 week externship is not always going to give you a realistic idea of hospital culture, DVM expectations, etc

ETA: Not to say that I know this location is a bad choice or anything. Just that you can have a 6 week externship and really love a place, but when you come back as a FT DVM, you see/experience a lot that you had no idea about as an extern

 

[battie]

This though. In my limited research they probably have the highest DVM salaries in the ER biz. You do really have to buy into their culture, though. Anecdotally from my network of ER people, the techs seem to stay on for long periods, the DVMs not so much. Do with that info what you will.

I've heard the same in Denver. A lot of upward mobility for techs. They also pay the techs the best here as well.

However, they have a culture of taking everything. No diverting at all, regardless of the context with the hospital. To be fair, a lot of ERs are like that. But it causes bad medicine and mistakes

 

[renacuaja]

It's something I debate personally too-- I love ER and open-concept. Not a fan of relocation, cost of care, overabundance of green doctors in some hospitals, and delayed referrals to specialty in some hospitals. Being in a regular ER isn't the same and it is hard to go back to for me. I don't know if it's just what I have been exposed to but the kind of people that actively choose to work in front of clients are the kind of people I vibe with a lot better. I feel like elsewhere I've encountered too many people that say things like they chose vet med because they hate people. I grieved a lot leaving my job for vet school.

There's so much variability between different locations (even ones 20min apart) and even between different doctors. I knew one doctor that would always take on way too much and refuse to transfer until last second. The medical director set it straight after repeat incidences and I like to think that I came from a place with "on time" referrals.

For me, worst case scenario, if I get matched somewhere with a poor fit I like to think that I would still end up with 6 months of training at a livable wage. but thats just how I'm feeling now maybe that will change as graduation gets closer

 

[ESD_2029]

VEG also reportedly has a NDA in their contracts, so getting good info from both sides (those that stayed and those that left) may be difficult.

Red flag for me

 

[battie]

Red flag for me

It's been brought up in Facebook pages I used to be a part of.

 

[overcastkidjuno]

I have no useful input on the topic but the idea of working in an open concept ER with everyone being able to perceive me at all times and tons of owners around with amped emotions makes me want to jump into a volcano. Why does VEG think that is a good idea?

 

[pp9]

I have no useful input on the topic but the idea of working in an open concept ER with everyone being able to perceive me at all times and tons of owners around with amped emotions makes me want to jump into a volcano. Why does VEG think that is a good idea?

It's my understanding that it works well the majority of the time. BUT from a staff perspective it depends on the person. I too do not want to be perceived, and I am not sure how they maintain boundaries in that setting tbh. I also believe they tend to put doctors on the phone to triage when people call in asking what to do for their pet. that would also be a no for me.

 

[battie]

I have no useful input on the topic but the idea of working in an open concept ER with everyone being able to perceive me at all times and tons of owners around with amped emotions makes me want to jump into a volcano. Why does VEG think that is a good idea?

I've been to a VEG with my grandma on an ER basis, and it does work to certain extent for a few reasons I think:

1) there are a few separate exam rooms where people who want to be separate can be since not every client wants to be observed too.

2) the hive mind mentality. There's still some social shame in small to mid sized groups. So when a true critical shows up and a tech is placing a catheter, another one is starting compressions or fluids, an assistant is recording, and a doc rushes over, the non-critical owners know to shut up about their less serious situation. That's because they don't want to be the person that trivializes the dying pet and hysterical owner. That's obviously the cynical view. There are plenty of clients who know their case isn't critical (often because they have been the critical case in the past).

3) VEG is generally more expensive than other free standing ERs in their area, but clients feel they're getting what they pay for because they can see it happening. Seeing is believing sort of situation. Side bar: I do feel that VEG specifically builds their ERs in areas where the costs can be afforded and that the extra 10-15% they charge compared to others is "worth it" because they 1) know their client base can afford it and 2) the client base is willing to pay those costs. There is only one VEG in the denver area where I initially questioned the location for their costs; but they captured the bougie market that's a little bit beyond where they're actually located.

I also believe they tend to put doctors on the phone to triage when people call in asking what to do for their pet. that would also be a no for me.

This is my greatest hesitancy because there's no need for it other than marketing / gimmicky. A well trained tech is much better at history taking and such than the average doctor. Having doctors answer calls doesn't improve the medicine

There was a viral image of a doctor stepping away from a surgery to answer the phone fully gowned and gloved, leaving a baby doctor to continue herself. Grossly inappropriate. The baby doctor and patient were astronomically more important than any client on the phone.