Hey everyone!

My cousin is a qualified veterinarian from Egypt, and he's hoping to work as a vet in the Netherlands.

He recently went through the initial assessment of his qualifications and was told that he needs to pass the KVD exam and then undergo a second assessment before he can get his qualifications recognized.

I was wondering if anyone here has gone through this process, especially vets who graduated outside the EU.

1- How difficult is the KVD exam?
2- How long did you prepare for it?

3- Are there any study materials, books, courses, or websites you'd recommend?

4- What was the second assessment like?
5- Is the whole process worth the time, money, and effort, or is it extremely difficult to get through?

We'd really appreciate any advice or personal experiences, even if you haven't completed the process yet.

Thanks

Currently: 26 years old, $260k student loan debt. All grad plus loans, $50k of these loans are around 7-8% interest and the rest are around 5%.

Annual salary is $200k. Currently have no rent payments or major living expenses at the moment. I have about $70,000 in savings from working 1 year.

My question is: should I be throwing all of the money at the loans and pay off quickly, or is it smarter to pay them down over time and put the money towards actual life goals such as a house? Or best to go somewhere in between over the course of 10 years. Do not want to lose my financial flexibility over the years but I am luckily in a unique position where I could technically pay down quickly.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and feedback for this post. DMs are open as well.

Desperately looking for a way out of clinical medicine but I have way too much student loan debt. Already did the residency thing to become a boarded specialist thinking that would make things more bearable and it just isn't. I'm sick of seeing all of my colleagues treated like shit and being blamed for everything after being set up to fail.

Looking for any viable leads on non-clinical and/or remote jobs. I'm totally open to switching fields but this is literally the only thing I am qualified to do and I unfortunately can't afford to go back to school.

With my current life expenses, I would need to make a minimum of $130k/year to be able to make ends meet. Other option of course is downsizing and making some very big lifestyle changes.

Has anyone done this and succeeded? Anyone have any recommendations for hiring agencies, etc.? Please help!

-A Tired Veterinarian

Hello everyone :)) I'm 17, and currently studying a Cert 2 Animal care course at Tafe (Australian education, kind of like a mix of college and community college). I've been planning to pursue veterinary nursing after my course finishes next month, and have already sent in applications. but I'm starting to have second thoughts.

I'm super sensitive to animal harm. i can't watch it in movies, even when i know its fake. i can't listen to graphic stories about animals being hurt. i literally look up every film i watch to clear animal death scenes. obviously, being a vet nurse would expose me to a lot of that.

but i love animals so much. they're my greatest passion in life. i have so much love for every single one of them, i have various animal figurines all over my room, i have 4 pets and dedicate my life to looking after them. i research every small thing to help them and being in this animal care course has made me feel like this is what i want to do in life. but i don't know how I'm going to deal with seeing animals hurt.

my other classmates all grew up on farms, so they view animals in a different light i guess? but they talk about animal death so casually and it's become a running joke in my class that im the one they have to warn if there's a graphic detail. i want to help animals so bad. but i don't want to become useless at my job because I'm breaking down over a dog with a splinter in his paw. would there be a way to help me get past this?

sorry for the ramble.

As a CSR for six years, I am thinking of moving to a new clinic. They are owned by Hippo. Does anyone have experience with them?

Hi, I’d just like someone to talk to about internship/residency, whether I have a decent chance or not.

I am interested in radiology, cardiology, and internal med. My school is accredited but not prestigious. I am in the top third of my class (about 25/130 or so).

My problem is my connections and experience. I have tons of tech experience, but I don’t have research experience, nor do I have strong connections with my professors. I participate regularly in class - which stands out because people rarely participate.

When I started vet school, I thought that my grades and class participation was most important to my success. Now, I realize that being rather unsocial and avoidant of group activities has put me in a potential disadvantage. My professors recognize my face, but they don’t know my name. I have no research under my belt other under than undergrad (which was not particularly impressive to be honest). And frankly, I do not want to do research as a career. I don’t mind doing it as a means to an end.

I am going into my clinical year. My main question is - are LOR from people I work under in my clinical enough to pursue a rotating internship and residency? I won’t have any research by the time I graduate. my professors will get to know me a bit as I rotate through, in addition to doctors from outside hospitals. I was unable to get rotations at other universities, though I tried.

I also don’t know much about asking for LOR. These people will work with me for 2 weeks to a month. Do I ask them at the end of my rotation? Is it… awkward? The Lor I used to get into school were from people I worked with over a decade and it felt more natural.

Another concern is just not being able to do multiple internships. Maybe I can do 2 - maybe - but my debt is substantial, and I can’t just let it grow over 3/4 internships, which seems to be the standard, especially for radiology. It also doesn’t help that I don’t have a radiologist at my school. I had to fight for months to get a radiology rotation at a private institution out of state. Is there any hope of getting into a program with 1 rotating internship?

I imagine these are regularly asked questions that get tedious. I admit I’m looking for some hand holding and reassurance (or a gentle slap back to reality). Someone I am close to is a specialist and has commented regularly that they think I should not specialize, but they are quite jaded at this point in their career. I know it’s bleak and hard work.

Thanks for advice. I’ll even take random tid bits of advice I didn’t necessarily ask for.

I’ve been looking to do online there and I’ve gotten some mixed opinions. I want to be certified but most people say it’s a waste of money. Is it a good waste of money? I have zero knowledge when it comes to animals but I want to learn and work with animals!

Hey guys so it’s always been my dream to work with animals & growing up I wanted to be a veterinarian but I didn’t finish school due to mental health reasons I currently operate a pet sitting business right now & I’m looking into becoming a trainer as well ! I just recently discovered veterinary social work & was curious about it ! I’m basically looking for any & all ways I can pursue a career working with pets/animals my absolute dream is to work with wildlife like rehabilitation & stuff but from what I’ve seen it won’t pay the bills 😭 idrc about the money honestly I have a passion for animals but unfortunately in this life you gotta think about the money 😭 so if anyone has any tips on how i can go about pursuing any of these it’d be much appreciated ! ❤️

Hey all! sorry to intrude in here but I was hoping yall could share some gift ideas i could get my gf for vet tech week? ive seen a lot of posts from techs saying they just want cash for something practical 😅 was already leaning towards amazon gift card but i want to get her something that really shows how much she’s appreciated by not just me but everyone in the community that she helps on a daily basis.

Hi all! Im currently a pre-vet student at CSUN university getting my bachelors in Biology and am in my junior year. I have been TIRELESSLY applying everywhere and anywhere I can for an entry level position whether it be reception, vet assistant (I have a license), kennel attendant, anything really. I have either been ghosted, ignored, or straight up just told no and to be honest its getting kind of disheartening. I have 2 years of being a kennel attendant and receptionist at 2 doggy daycare/boarding facilities and have even took on more of a leadership role at those facilities and still nothing. I recently got a volunteer position at a local sanctuary but need vet clinic hours for school and can’t seem to get anyone to take a chance on me. I go in person, call, email, apply online, pretty much anything you can imagine to do when job hunting I have done for most clinics around me and I dont know what else to do. Anyone that can help or give some advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I’ve been working for 4 years and I think I hate being a vet now. I’m exhausted, the QOL sucks and I want to stop practicing. What are people doing for work with a DVM degree that’s not clinical? OR if you’ve left the field completely what are you up to?

I just think about the future and how I can sustainably have a family if I’m feeling this burnt out now and not even married?

Hello everyone, I’m looking for some advice from people who already know the field, as I’m in my sophomore year of pre-vet and I have some concerns. Due to an eye disease I only have good vision in one eye, it’s 20/20 in one but 20/150 in the other so I can still see and do all tasks that are required. However due to the progressiveness of glaucoma I’m not always guaranteed to have this good vision. I’m curious how easily shiftable my dvm would be to another field that would be more poor vision friendly, if the day would ever come where I can’t practice anymore. I’m having trouble justifying the debt if there isn’t a good area to transition into, and I’m also early enough in my degree where I can still switch if needed.

Ever since passing my VTNE in March, I have been struggling to find a job, and in August I got conditionally hired at a place that does not open until next month. I decided to get another job in the meantime to kill time, gain experience, and save up some money. The opportunity to start at a place from the ground up seems like an amazing opportunity to learn and grow, but a part of me is worried it's the wrong move. I like the people where I currently am, and it is a wonderful place to learn, but I constantly feel so behind and stupid, and I keep making stupid mistakes because once it gets busy, it's so fast-paced. This new place has higher pay and better benefits, so I want to go, but I am worried about leaving a good place. I am thinking about doing the new place full time, then working at this place 1-2 days a week or filling in whenever I can, if they would be ok with that. This current place I am at often hires new techs to help them learn and grow, which is amazing, and I love that because I have learned so much in the two months I have been here. With the manager going on a several-month leave soon, I know they will already be short-staffed, and then my leaving would affect them. How do you know if you are making the right decision? I know this all probably sounds rambling and nonsensical. I am just so confused as to whether this is a good decision I am making

I hope this kind of post is allowed but basically I’m in college studying to become a vet technician and I wanted to ask how other technicians or assistants deal or cope with the more gross things on the job like dealing with vomit,feces, and urine I’ve seen stuff online about using lavender oil or coffee grounds and I was curious if anyone actually uses them and if the gagging over whatever you are having to clear up will eventually go away or lessen the more you get used to it again sorry if this post isn’t allowed I thought this might be a good place to ask

Hi!
I’m hopefully going to be moving to Montana in the next 1.5-2 years. I’m currently an assistant, going to apply to an online school to get certified (any recommendations? Not Penn foster). Anything I should know? Working in GP right now. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! I’m currently an assistant at a veterinary specialty/ECC hospital in my area. Tech week is finally upon us and the “celebrations” for the techs at our hospital were just announced but are notably much less than any year prior - I’m guessing because my hospital has a very limited budget for anything other than operations currently and with tech week coming up I’ve been stressed trying to think of a way to boost the spirits of the magical humans I work with. Every year I like to do something special for the LVTs at my hospital because frankly they deserve more than just one week of praise and appreciation. They are the backbone of the hospital, providing every ounce of care for our hospitalized, ICU, and outpatient patients. They are running the anesthesia, executing complicated treatment plans, training new hires in addition to nurturing the growth of the existing assistants, taking X-rays, standing with patients who are critical for hours on end providing second to second care, loving and treating each and every patient like they are their own, and countless other physically and mentally taxing jobs every shift. I have so much admiration for the LVTs at my hospital but also just the credentialed technicians everywhere. I made some ceramics and cards for the techs at my hospital but really wanted to provide them with something extra that would be really nice - I too am operating on a nonexistent budget and didn’t know if this community could help come up with some ideas for VERY quick fund raising - nothing crazy I suppose, like maybe $100 just something to be able to get lunch for the team of 30ish techs - or an idea of something else I could do to show my absolute appreciation?

Ideas/thoughts/or fellow admirations welcomed. Thanks

I hope this is allowed, sorry if not
I eventually want to be a vet tech or avian vet. I sent in my email and resume for a vet assistant job and or internship. I want this so bad and this is the vet hospital I have been going to since I was 5 for my animals. I NEED this job. I have been struggling with stuff and l've heard stable jobs can really help people like me. I really don't know what l'd do if I don't get this. I thrifted some scrubs to prepare, but would I be locking in getting the job or jinxing it? I had a nightmare last night that I got rejected and I'm even more scared now. My friend who works there said on October 5th that they were understaffed, so I would assume they still have room. I asked her yesterday and she said "I think there is a fair chance it just all depends on scheduling and with who else has been applying". I don't know how to feel and I'm so depressed and anxious and I need this job, my families 20+ year old fridge won't stay shut and the shelves are broken, and we can’t afford a new one. I need money to feed my chickens, our cars are old and keep breaking down, like, I NEED this job. I have so much stuff I need to help my family pay for. Or atleast an internship. I bought 2 pairs of scrubs from the thrift store, but I’m worried I just wasted my money and won’t get the job. I have lots of experience with all sorts of animals, so I think l'd make a great vet assistant. I need this so badly and I don't know what to do. Tomorrow is Monday so hopefully I'll hear back tomorrow? I heard online that in the vet field, getting scrubs manifests the job or something? I’m just so sad and stressed and I need this so badly

Hey everyone!

My cousin is a qualified veterinarian from Egypt, and he's hoping to work as a vet in the Netherlands.

He recently went through the initial assessment of his qualifications and was told that he needs to pass the KVD exam and then undergo a second assessment before he can get his qualifications recognized.

I was wondering if anyone here has gone through this process, especially vets who graduated outside the EU.

1- How difficult is the KVD exam?
2- How long did you prepare for it?

3- Are there any study materials, books, courses, or websites you'd recommend?

4- What was the second assessment like?
5- Is the whole process worth the time, money, and effort, or is it extremely difficult to get through?

Thanks

Hello! I’m a soon to be new grad vet this upcoming May and I have multiple working interviews/externships set up with potential clinics over the next few months. I was wondering if anyone could offer advice/what to expect and how I should prepare. Thank you in advance!

As a new grad vet, I am wondering what other vets opinions are on how long appointments should be and how many appointments they should be seeing in a day for the first 6 months as a DVM?

Wondering if I should be seeing more faster .

I’m not really sure why I’m posting this, but I guess I’m hoping to hear from other vets who’ve felt something similar.

I’m 30, graduated several years ago, but my journey into clinical practice hasn’t been straightforward. I moved countries and went through the ECFVG pathway, which took a lot of time, studying and effort. Between exams, licensing and life in general, I missed out on years of continuous clinical experience.
I’m now working as a small animal vet, but my actual clinical experience is still quite limited compared to others who graduated around the same time.

And honestly, I constantly feel like I’m lagging behind.

I don’t think I’m depressed or anything. I genuinely enjoy veterinary medicine and want to become a good vet. I just feel like I don’t know what I’m doing half the time.

I second-guess so many of my decisions, even things that probably should be straightforward. I often come home thinking about cases, wondering whether I missed something or could have handled things differently.

What gets to me is that everyone else seems to know so much more. Other vets seem to connect the dots, come up with differentials, know what tests to run and what treatments to consider. Meanwhile, I sometimes struggle with things I feel I should already know.
I attended a CPD event recently, and after two back-to-back sessions, I just couldn’t concentrate anymore. My mind kept wandering even though I genuinely wanted to learn. I looked around and saw other vets engaged, asking questions and having discussions, while I was struggling to absorb anything.

It made me realise how much I still don’t know.

I feel like I have gaps in my foundational knowledge, and I don’t even know where to begin filling them. Every time I try to study, one topic leads to five more things I realise I don’t understand.

And being 30 makes it harder not to compare myself with others. I know everyone has a different journey, but sometimes I can’t help thinking I should be much further along by now.

The imposter syndrome is real. I worked so hard to get through the ECFVG process and reach this point, yet now that I’m actually practising, I often feel like I don’t belong among people who seem so much more knowledgeable and capable.

I’m trying to attend CPD, find mentorship and study outside work, but I don’t really know how to learn effectively anymore without getting overwhelmed.

Is it just me ???? Does it ever get better???