Veterinarian (Dierenarts)
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A veterinarian is a doctor who treats injured or sick animals. Taking preventive measures such as vaccinating animals is also part of the work of a veterinarian. A veterinarian is therefore specialized in veterinary medicine in which everything revolves around animal health and animal welfare. The profession of veterinarian appeals to many people because animals are special to many people. Becoming a veterinarian is not very easy because it is a heavy study. Training to become a veterinarian will generally take at least six years, with the admission requirements also being an important factor. Because the study of veterinary medicine is a popular study, in most cases a draw will have to be made to be admitted to the study. Many people can therefore not start with the training because they are drawn. As a veterinarian, there are various specializations that will largely determine which activities the veterinarian will perform exactly. The work does have to do with the welfare of animals in all cases. The profession of veterinarian is a versatile profession that appeals to many people. In the Netherlands, veterinary training is only possible in Utrecht, namely the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. In short, we can best describe the work of veterinarian as the examination and treatment of sick or injured animals where making the correct diagnosis is very important. As described earlier, the profession of veterinarian can be regarded as a very popular profession. It is not the case that all veterinarians perform the same work, because veterinarians can also specialize in certain forms of veterinary medicine. Think, for example, of veterinary surgery, veterinary radiology and pathology (pathology).
That so many people want to become veterinarians is not very difficult to understand. Animals are a supplement for humans, and people love their animals. Sooner or later, these animals also need care and then end up at a veterinarian. The veterinarian can then prescribe medication or perform surgery. A veterinarian can also vaccinate animals against various types of diseases, such as rabies and rabies. But also giving nutrition tips and other information is an important task of the veterinarian. A veterinarian is not only specialized in animal welfare because a veterinarian is also a researcher. For example, a veterinarian can also investigate how a farmer's consumer animals can give more production. Exactly which activities a veterinarian will perform depends entirely on the chosen specialization as a veterinarian. Veterinarians are legally authorized to treat any animal species. This does not alter the fact that a veterinarian may also have additional recognized specializations at his disposal. For example, a veterinary surgeon is a veterinarian who has an additional specialization as a specialist. A licensed veterinary surgeon is therefore included in the official specialist register. This does not mean that ordinary veterinarians are not allowed to perform surgical treatments. The specialization veterinary surgeon only indicates that there is a specialist. This is a big difference with, for example, general practitioners, who are not allowed to perform surgical treatments. A general practitioner is a generalist and not a specialist.
STUDYING TO BECOME A VETERINARIAN
After the first year, veterinary students are given the choice whether they want to work with large cattle or work with small animals such as rabbits, dogs and cats. This is an important choice, as it will determine where a veterinarian will work, in the countryside or in a city. Working with cows and/or pigs is very different from working with cats and dogs. As a veterinarian, there are several possibilities and you can also choose to carry out more scientific research. Another name for the study of veterinary medicine can also be veterinary medicine.
PETS NETHERLANDS
In the Netherlands there are a total of about 31 million pets. Today, 74 percent of all people have a pet in their home. These can be animals for fun or to practice a sport. The most popular pet in the Netherlands is the cat. Pets bring extra cosiness in many households, and are often a good excuse to get a breath of fresh air, such as with dogs that still have to go outside four times a day. Pets are domesticated animals that can also include farm animals such as horses, pigs, goats, cows and sheep because these are also fed and cared for by people.
WHAT DOES A VETERINARIAN DO:
VETERINARY TRAINING
In order to be able to work as a veterinarian, one will have to follow and complete the university veterinary medicine course in Utrecht. In the Netherlands you can only go to Utrecht for the veterinary medicine course and nowhere else. With the completed veterinary medicine course, you can go in different directions, such as companion animals, horses or farm animals. The full-time programme generally lasts six years, depending on your previous education. It is true, however, that there is a great deal of interest in veterinary medicine training and the available places are very limited. As a veterinarian, it is important to realize that you will never be finished learning. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an independent entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A VETERINARIAN CAN BE EMPLOYED
A veterinarian can work in different ways. Think, for example, of a veterinary clinic in which several veterinarians work, or of your own veterinary clinic as an entrepreneur. In addition, a veterinarian can work for manufacturers of animal feed, large livestock farms and for agricultural organizations. A job at the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority is also possible. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority is an inspection service, in which various professionals work.
COMPETENCES VETERINARIAN
As a veterinarian, your most important competence is the welfare of animals and their care. But also advising animal owners with regard to their pets should be regarded as an important competence. Because a veterinarian has to deal with many different people, a veterinarian must have good communication skills. The right motivation should not be lacking as a veterinarian, because working as a veterinarian is sometimes quite difficult. As a veterinarian, it is also important to make decisions, which are sometimes not easy. Because quite a lot of veterinarians work as entrepreneurs, a veterinarian must also have entrepreneurial skills. In this respect, networking can also be regarded as an important competence. Generally important words are research, cooperation, veterinary action, passion, energy, stress resistance and conflict management.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A VETERINARIAN
As a well-trained veterinarian, it is usually no problem to find work, partly because there is always a demand for new veterinarians and relatively few new veterinarians graduate. Most veterinarians work in their own practice or have a practice with other colleagues that they run together. Growing as a veterinarian should be seen as starting your own animal practice or combining your work with, for example, teaching. Further specialization as a veterinarian specialist is also possible. Another possibility is to obtain a PhD as a scientist.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND SALARY VETERINARIAN
A veterinarian usually works a lot in the evenings or on weekends with alternating shifts. The working hours as a veterinarian do not stop when the clock strikes five o'clock. As an employed veterinarian, you usually have an income between 3000 and 5500 euros gross per month. A veterinarian with his own practice can earn more than in paid employment, but will have to have a busy practice to have sufficient income. There are relatively many veterinary clinics to be found, which can make starting your own clinic difficult.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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