Smart Flow Blog

It's a little ironic that I chose this topic to share with you all, because as anyone who knows me would tell you, I've always been planted firmly on the academic side of the science vs sports scale.

That being said, I do think there are some good lessons to be learned from sports when it comes to vet med, and pointing them out is my main goal (okay, go ahead and groan). Here are 7 things sports can teach us about veterinary medicine.

“Everybody starts somewhere.”  We’ve all heard it, but how often does it actually sink in?  It seems the longer you’re in a career, the the easier it is to forget how it is to be a newbie.  Many people view it as a negative to have a new grad in their practice.  Personally, I think new grads are grossly underrated.

When people picture life in a vet clinic, we all know what comes to mind.  Happy puppies bouncing around in one pristine exam room while playful kittens chase a toy on a string in another. And some (very rare, very precious) days, this is true. But guys, the truth is, veterinary medicine is HARD. 

Question for you: do you get a regular lunch break every day?  Did you just actually LOL?  It’s more common than not to hear our veterinary colleagues say they do not get a chance to take a break for lunch (or even to use the bathroom) on a daily basis. 

The reactions I commonly experienced when I told someone that I worked veterinary overnight shifts ranged from horror to pity.  Most people can't fathom sleeping during the day, and being awake at night. The thing is, the saying that you really don't know what it's like until you experience it, rings very true in this case.

Here are some of the top ways that I was able to stay sane, focused, and make it to sunrise! 

Technology: some people welcome it with open arms, and some fear the change that comes along with it. In veterinary medicine, technology has certainly made its mark on our daily lives, both in positive and negative ways. How is technology helping (and hurting) vet med?

Throughout my time in vet med, I've heard countless fellow technicians (and admittedly, the voice inside my own head) say that they don't know if this career is for them anymore. Most of us do the same things every day in practice. It's easy to get bored if you don't have the opportunity to test yourself or learn new skills.

Whether it's the desire to experience another avenue of veterinary medicine or go back to school and strive towards another career altogether, the thought of abandoning post has crossed many minds. And yet, most people continue on at their practices, caught in a vortex of wondering what else is out there and a looming sense of guilt for even allowing this option to be a consideration. 

It's a fabulous career choice, but it's not glamorous... Here are some reasons one should think twice before entering the messy world of vet med.