AIBU to consider teaching after becoming disillusioned with veterinary work?

[Sadvetatcrossroads]

I have been a small animal vet for 20+ years and have gone as far as I feel I can with it. I am a senior vet with responsibility for other staff and many other functions related to the safe running of a practice. I am kind, experienced and efficient, but feel really disillusioned with the profession.

As individuals we are so committed to our patients and clients, we always try to find a way to make things affordable and go the extra mile (giving clients a lift home, rescuing wildlife etc) but it all just feels so hostile now. The media and even MPs talk about “extortionate” prices, as if we are literally criminals. Clients distrust our advice (the same people who will ask their GP to run bloods, automatically think we are upselling by suggesting them). People assume that a 2 hour dental procedure under anaesthetic should cost the same as 20 minutes in a dentist chair subsidised by the NHS.

And for the budget prices people want to pay, using only our crystal ball and magic wand, owners expect correct diagnoses and effective treatments, and complain when things don’t work out perfectly, or that we can’t save their fur baby who has multiple health conditions and is the equivalent of over 100 in dog years, or they were kept waiting while we dealt with an emergency walk in (no a&e to send them to). They say they want an nhs for pets but would not be happy if we left them waiting for hours to be triaged or a year for a knee op. And to be honest, I know that veterinary medicine is expensive but I don’t really know where all the money goes either (corporate), it definitely doesn’t go on payrises or bonuses for our staff.

I enjoy teaching vet students, I can stand on my feet dealing with awkward people and explaining complicated things for 9 hour days. I have a very strong bladder and like teenagers.

Aibu to think about jacking it in and training to be a teacher?

I wouldn't recommend teaching in primary or secondary, but you may enjoy teaching your subject in university or college, or you could even look to become an animal management apprenticeship assessor. There will still be horrendous pressure, however.

You could do what i did and become a self employed pet sitter. People will be crying out for your experience.

You could teach animal care or veterinary nursing in an FE college. Young people generally want to be there and they are often based in lovely rural locations. Our local college teaches animal care within the special needs provision too. Also you have the option of teaching FE in smaller training centres on Post 16 Study Programme, I know three locally that have small farms, these are often for vulnerable learners, some with SEN. Depends on whether you want to teach trad science or animal care and the environment you want to teach in.

My husband is a senior vet and is on half that figure, so definitely not true

I think the issue really is more why are the senior vets not being paid appropriately. Senior experienced vets should be earning £150k plus. I’m gobsmacked they are not to be honest.

It’s crazy when you think the under 35s earn 80-100k in pharma sales & other jobs in big pharma companies (London). Something to consider?

I totally agree. It’s such specialist knowledge/£ training. Surely pay should be on a par with doctors?

Can I ask what his hours typically are?

Can I ask what Vet nurses typically earn?

Honestly, it would be out of the frying pan into the fire. I’d consider something else entirely.

I’d warn you off teaching unless you actually want to do it.

It varies a lot depending on experience, extra qualifications, location and type of practice ( ie general or referral/specialist ) but typically between £25 - £35k full time.

I applaud you.
Having had 3 dogs with serious conditions
An 8 year old Doodle with cardiomyopathy
2 year old staffy with mast cell tumours
And another staffy with Gastrointestinal problems so bad he was hospitalised with bloody Poo & bloody vomit and shock.
Pet insurance is a must these days,and frankly any amount of money I’d have given for more time with them.
Thank you so much for the service you provide to animals,they cannot talk like humans and you train more than medical human doctors.
please don’t disillusioned, I’m sure there are more people that respect the work you do than not.

I always find it baffling that the people who bitch about vet’s bills and pet insurance companies, are the first to bemoan the NHS and pledge allegiance to political parties who are promising to privatise it??

If you think vets bills are unreasonable wait until you see what private healthcare for humans will cost you.

I’m beginning to realise that the greater part of the population are thicker than I ever thought possible, so maybe retreating to some isolated hermit’s cottage might be a better bet than teaching 😄

I get being disillusioned with your current career but teaching is not the way - its another level of nightmare, I doubt you will feel happier.

I would suggest accounting, optometrist, or lawyer.

My husband is a senior vet in an independent practice. Around 30 years experience, and on a similar income to PP. He averages 60 hours a week in the clinic, plus 1 in 4 nights and weekends on call. If he’s on call he will usually be called out at some point, sometimes more than once, then he’s back in work the next day as normal.

Thank you. I am astonished his/the pay isn’t on a par with a doctors. It certainly should be.

I don’t know about the ins and outs of what’s going on in the veterinary world, but I am a teacher (2nd career) and personally I love it. It’s not without its stresses but there isn’t another job I’d rather do

Oh wow the pay for vets is not what I imagined at all!

Well it will be different but you’ll work harder for half the money.

Well according to this thread a senior vet with 30 years experience is on about £75k, I’m on £60k after 7 years in teaching

I think tolerating idiocy/unrealistic expectations and the bladder competency means you’ll be a perfect fit. Give it a go! The school you end up at is key though, not all places are created equal.

A vet degree is a doctorate. You think they only get a bachelor's after all those years of training??

I second this. Couldn't be without the wonderful vets and nurses who look after my beloved pets.

I second this. Couldn't be without the wonderful vets and nurses who look after my beloved pets.

Gives an idea of how undervalued & misunderstood.