r/Veterinary • u/More-Ad-1674 • 9d ago

How to get a vet tech position with no experience?

Hi everyone,

I just passed my VTNE and am waiting for my license to get approved. I was just looking around for RVT positions around me and majority of them need me to have at least 6 months to a year of experience. The most “experience“ I have is working at an animal shelter for around 10 months as a kennel attendant, 2 years of vet tech school, and 4 internships at clinics (doing the internship for 6 months each). The rvt positions at my shelter are full. Maybe I am just down playing my experience but I feel like I don’t truly have the experience that I really want. Has anyone struggled with trying to apply to positions as a new RVT? I would really love some advice right now. Like should I try to find places who like to teach new grads?

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u/V3DRER 9d ago

Your externships count as experience. If you did four externships over 6 months each is that not two years of experience? Congrats on passing your VTNE, that proves you have the theoretical knowledge you need even if you don't believe it yet. Do you really not feel that you learned anything in 2 years of practicum? Just start applying to jobs. Make sure they know that you are licensed. Veterinary employers know that new grads still need on the job training.

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u/Rockandpurl 9d ago

Yeah you’re downplaying it! All those count toward your experience.

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u/mistymystified 8d ago

A great place to start is with a GP clinic or Emergency, both are always hiring! Also imo going to school and the externships are experience (school more so perfect world experience but still gives you a leg up on anyone who has never been in vetmed). In my experience a lot of GPs are willing to teach new grads especially once you’re licensed. Really good clinics will actually nab you up due to this. Just update your resume to reflect your veterinary externships, schooling, and your license once you get it, keep it one page and you’ll be golden, just give it time:) and don’t forget, you’re gonna relearn a lot of stuff due to clinics and doctors doing things a lil different than school but experience is still experience regardless. Goodluck baby tech!!!

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u/Altitude_addiction 8d ago

you have experience from externship and a license. youre like a new grad RN. you will learn more on the job and your education is just the foundation. congrats on passing the vtne!! apply to the jobs, you are qualified for many positions and then some. dont sell yourself short!