To give up a £100k job to retrain as a vet?

Vet here - not unreasonable to retrain if you’re passionate about it. Do you have an idea what type of vet you would like to be? Unless you specialise (by sitting further post graduate exams) your income is very unlikely to exceed 100k. It can be a very satisfying career with a decent salary when compared to national averages, but not when compared to comparable careers like doctor, dentist. Sounds like your current job is likely more pay for less stress? But money isn’t everything. I know lots of unhappy vets but also some who love it! I’d suggest you do some work experience with a local vet to give you a better idea of the job before committing to any access courses etc.

6 years of study, most of which would have to be while you're not working. So a huge cut in income. Do you have a mortgage? Any debts already?

I don't know anything about becoming a vet but I am having similar thoughts about quitting my well paid job and going into teaching.

You realise you'd have to perform surgery in an operating theatre too? Ex vet nurse here and it's vital you find out more about what it involves. I wouldn't do it OP. Could be very tricky if you're going to have children to be honest.

Ps how are you at working with people? All animals come with an owner attached so a large part of the job involves negotiating and explaining things to the animal owners/carers and those discussions can be tricky when people are emotional or worried about the cost.

Do you already have a degree? Depending whether you are in England or elsewhere that is likely to affect funding for a second undergraduate degree.

Consider whether this is about actually wanting to work as a vet or about proving your academic skills/confidence (in which case there are probably much better ways to do that eg a science degree or masters). If it's about working with animals could you look at involvement via volunteering eg fostering. Or take your skills from your current job into a role in the animal industry somewhere (eg a veterinary division of a pharmaceutical company)

If you are planning a family, it sounds from the timing as if you would want that to happen while you are training. That sounds really tricky. Would you have lots of supportive relatives/partner who can help with childcare? During the undergraduate years you would have to do lots of unpaid placements in the holidays to build experience and lectures/practical sessions will be pretty much 9-5. Working as a vet can also be very challenging to combine with childcare, it's not easy to just take a day off if kids are sick and you can't work from home. Unless you have a partner with a flexible job and/or very available grandparents it would be very tricky.

Do you live near a vet school or would you plan to move? Lots of universities don't offer this course.

Just a few thoughts about the practicalities.

Vets have a high suicide rate. It's not all petting cute animals and nice things. You will see the results of horrific cruelty, neglect and putting animals to sleep is going to be a regular thing. My best friend is a vet nurse and finds it incredibly hard sometimes. I was in a relationship with a farm vet for several years and he also struggled massively with it. I remember him coming home and crying because they'd TB tested a small herd of pedigree cows and every single one had tested positive which meant they all had to be slaughtered.

A vet I know actively discouraged his children and they're doctors instead.

Make sure you really want to do it. Get the entry qualifications before quitting your job.

I've only heard negative things about being a vet. Large animal vets get called out at all hours to deal with cows, horses, etc. Small animal vets usually end up working for corporate chains that value revenue over caring for animals.

As you're only 28, you could 100% do this. Just be sure that it's the life you want from a practical point of view.

I'd get some experience first. I know five vets, four are constantly moaning about it, one loves it. I suspect it's a bit like medicine in that sense.

Do you realise how much it will cost and how long it will take? Presumably you will need to do A levels or a foundation degree in the science's