Vet or surgeon?

I've always wanted to be a vet since I was around 6, however recently after being in hospital alot I have an urge to be a surgeon. I'm in my first years of a level and I really like both. I've done a lot of research into both knowing surgeons get paid more etc. I have months worth of vet work experience but not any hospital. What shall I do?

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Reply 1

RenéDescartes

Never make a decision based on income.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 2

K3nzy

I feel like I'd want to be more hands on with patients which I don't think doctors have as much as a vet or surgeon. As much as I love to work and be busy I'm not sure how longer I'll think that when I'm in my 40s :biggrin:

Reply 3

RenéDescartes

Original post by K3nzy

Be a nurse. They have the most patient contact. Done.

Reply 4

K3nzy

I definitely still have a passion for animals so I feel like a vet would be better, it was more doctor or vet and I know I work better hands on .

Reply 5

K3nzy

Original post by RenéDescartes

Never make a decision based on income.

fair enough, I always thought about setting up my own veterinary surgeon anyways

Reply 6

RenéDescartes

Original post by K3nzy

I definitely still have a passion for animals so I feel like a vet would be better, it was more doctor or vet and I know I work better hands on .

Vet nurse? Define 'hands on' because every time I hear that phrase I think of vocational education.

Reply 7

K3nzy

Original post by RenéDescartes

Vet nurse? Define 'hands on' because every time I hear that phrase I think of vocational education.

I'm definitely one for studying but as in long term being able to work with my patients rather than behind a desk . as far as work ethic and school studying goes I'm fine with the linear studying (I hope so I was a grade 8 student) I really like the environment of a hospital, wards the technology etc. but the way a vet works and the broad work they do. the only thing left is the respect they get.

Reply 8

K3nzy

after spending months in hospital as a patient I can tell what both do. and from work experience. which makes it so difficult since both work very similarly. however I found that vets tend to see patients more and work closer with a patient and tend to have more contact time.

Reply 9

K3nzy

most doctors in a hospital do surgeries. any non-surgical doctors are generally GPs . I've only met a few consultants who do diagnostics and hospitalisation care who no longer do surgery.

Reply 10

BFG9000

You will do well as a plastic surgeon for cats... :biggrin:

Reply 11

K3nzy

Original post by BFG9000

You will do well as a plastic surgeon for cats... :biggrin:

fair enough, that's seems like an interesting path

Reply 12

K3nzy

not really ,I've only really thought about being a doctor (preferably a paediatric surgeon) latly and I've only had surgical doctors help me. all the other medical professionals i can think of who don't involve surgery generally need different degrees to medicine (radiology, physiotherapy , phlobotomy,) there's phycology but generally not. I'd be going into the medicinal profession for surgery mainly and wards.

Reply 13

RenéDescartes

Overall, I would recommend that you choose vet because you don't seem to really know what Medicine is all about. From your posts, it just looks like you like the superficial things about doctors: money, reputation, and being close to the patient. You need to like the study of medicine itself. Being close to the patients isn't a good reason, on its own, to want to become a doctor because that is just 1 aspect out of 100000000. Also, there are other occupations that allow you to be close to your patients.

Reply 14

K3nzy

the only thing I noticed about vetmed to med is that medical professionals seem to care about there patients more than vetmed ,I've been working in a veterinary surgery and I'm not sure if it's just this particular surgery but they don't seem to care about the patients as much as I thought you would. they seem to act as if there are no particular consequences (which obviously there is an animal would die) and there isn't as much stress around it which worries me as I'm very much someone who would want the best for a patient and enjoy the stress around caring for one .

Reply 15

SherlockMetson

It is difficult to decide what you want to do. I assume you aren't applying this year as the deadline has passed, so that gives you time to research more, talk to people and sort out work experience. In my humble experience both Doctors and Vets are both very driven, have an aptitude for thinking on their feet, generally quite clever and have a unique sense of humour! It is very difficult to decide which area of practice to specialise in until you've lived it a bit. (As a student midwife I dreaded neonatal intensive care but then thoroughly enjoyed it and ended up working there for a while). It is fine to change your mind from something you've always wanted to do..you are probably quite different now from when you were 6. If you are really stuck, toss a coin. If you are disappointed with the outcome then you know which way you wanted it to fall. (Always works 😉). Good luck.

Reply 16

K3nzy

Original post by SherlockMetson

😁😂 someone told me that I should take medicine and I made myself think I was doing medicine about half an hour ago and discovered I was disappointed that I wasn't doing veterinary so I guess that's it

Reply 17

animalmagic

Original post by K3nzy

My advice is do a lot more work experience, both medical and veterinary then decide. If you think vets don't get stressed then you obviously only have very very limited experience so far.

Reply 18

K3nzy

Original post by animalmagic

My advice is do a lot more work experience, both medical and veterinary then decide. If you think vets don't get stressed then you obviously only have very very limited experience so far.

I've worked in two surgeries and one seemed very much stressful and exciting whereas the other they don't seem to care. I've got a week's worth of veterinary work experience in a referrals unit where it's more major cases which I'm looking forward to :smile:

Reply 19

animalmagic

Original post by K3nzy

Most veterinary surgeries I would say would be stressful and exciting when busy and a bit calmer when quiet. It is very unusual to have a vets where no one seems to care. Rather than gaining experience in a referrals environment I would say go for a mixed or equine practice ideally. If you decide to apply for vet med though you will need animal husbandry experience too, stables, farms - ideally lambing and dairy, kennels, zoo etc. Ideally a lab +/- an abbotoir day would be good too.