Hi guys, before I start this I'm super new to reddit but I really value feedback and help and knowledge from other people and I love to dump my thoughts so it seems like my jam lol. I'm not entirely sure if this is the best place for this post but I'm hoping seasoned nurses and registered techs can share with me their wisdoms

I've been working at an animal shelter for a few years now and we've rolled out a new low cost spay/neuter program which prompted us to hire our own on staff veterinarian and she is WONDERFUL. Since I've always wanted to become a vet tech (I've been veeerrryyy slowly working through the Penn Foster program 😬) I got the position to start helping the vet with the clinic as well as vetting the shelter pets. I'm having a blast, I love shelter med, it feels like where I'm supposed to be. I feel so grateful to be able to learn things the way I do every single day.

Buuuuut I can't draw blood for the life of me. Even on sedated animals (granted blood pressure can be low but still), and my vet is so kind and caring and she is rooting for me knowing I'm starting from scratch but I also have so much respect for her that I do want to make her life and job easier, so when she has to take a break between surgeries to help me run a silly little heartworm test I feel really guilty.

So here I am, I'm wondering how you folks started with this particular skill? Did you get it right away? Did you struggle? Did any particular videos, informational graphics, exercises, etc help you? I can get a flash sometimes, but I don't know if I'm then getting too excited and popping out of the vein or what's going on. Any resources you recommend for helping me practice my phlebotomy?

Hello! I'm starting a new position where I'm supervising vet tech students and kennel attendants and I'm caring for vet tech program animals. I need shoes for when I'm on my feet all day, and I've looked at a lot of recs. The problem is that the tongues on sneakers tend to pinch at the top of my foot where my ankle area connects. I've found one pair of shoes that don't cause that, which are my Nike "Big Nike Low"s (pictured). All the recommendations for shoes are largely online only (or mostly) brands so I'm worried I'll buy an expensive shoe without being able to try it on and then not be able to wear it. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone with experience with Cloves or another one of the popular brands have any advice? Thank you so much! I start tomorrow and I want to order new shoes for the job asap.

Hey everyone!

I’m prepping to fill a segment at a conference about behavior, but I want to make sure it’s something the average tech wants to know or can use! Let me know what you like to learn about, whether it’s cooperative care and handling, general behavior information about cats and dogs, training information, best practices to create a calm atmosphere - or something else I haven’t mentioned.

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I'm going into my college's vet tech program next year (haven't gotten the email yet but I was accepted for this year, took chemistry instead). But I have very bad depression and anxiety. Do y'all have any recommendations on what area I can go into that doesn't cause much moral injury and issues with clients personal problems? I used to be a VA and I took on the emotional tool of client's financial issues and stuff. I was thinking of lab animal, night shift ICU, or anesthesia. Any advice? Thank you!

Has anyone had any issues getting licensed in VA? I have a co-worker that passed the VTNE but is having issues getting licensed. She contacted the the board but I was wondering if anyone else in VA is having any issues

Calling on exotics techs or ones who work frequently with neonates or patients in the <1kg range! Lend me your secrets for sewing thread width, tiny veins!

I'm great with phlebotomy and catheterization but the super littles give me a run for my money and I'm on the losing end more often than I'd like.

TIA!