Squeamish but wants to be a vet or a doctor

[barefootcook]

DS 10 is really keen to be a vet or a doctor when he grows up. Unfortunately he is very squeamish when visiting the hospital or the vet. Is there anything that I can do to help him with this now or will be just need to look at plan B nearer the time?

He is 10. He may grow out of it. Or he may decide on a different career option. I would not worry.

A former school friend is a vet. Very fast after graduation, working for a rural vet, she decided blood is not her friend.

She is now working for the council in an animal welfare department and hasn't done any kind of surgery since years. She bascially certifies breeders/horse stables/pet careres etc.

At 10, I think he’ll grow out of it when he begins to understand all that’s involved in those professions! He’ll also learn his own strengths and weaknesses as he gets older so hopefully he’ll find something in the future that might suit him better!

My DD wanted to be a vet but unfortunately her allergies prevented this. She then thought about being a doctor and went through the motions of work experience, medic days etc., but decided she was too squeamish. She is now studying engineering and has chosen a prosthetics type project for this year. A lot will change between the age of 10 and what they eventually choose to do.

Thank you all for your replies. As you say, he is very young. If he continues with this goal ( which is unlikely) I am hoping he will become less squimish over time. If not he will just need to do something else in the science field.

St John's Ambulance have their own cadets groups for children of 10+.

Could that be a way to get him used to First Aid and dealing with minor injuries?

He may grow out of the desire, plenty of kids grow up wanting to be vets/doctors/racing car drivers/ballerinas/nurses/firefighters/footballers but few actually end up growing up and doing it.

He might not grow out of the squeamishness (not useful in a clinical job)

He might not get the grades to get in