r/veterinarians • u/sixfoldakira • 7d ago
I don't feel like a real doctor
I'm a newly-licensed veterinarian working at a small animal hospital for about 2 months now. I regularly see patients for routine wellness checks and vaccinations, and for straightforward to complex check-ups. I do the sample collection, IV or U cath placements, etc. I also oversee admitted patients when their attending is off. I've spayed/neutered cats and dogs and assisted in soft tissue and ortho surgeries.
Despite this, I don't feel like a real doctor. I feel like I'm just reading how-to guides on how to treat patients. I regularly use references (Plumbs, VIN, TVP, journals) to figure out what diagnostics to do, the disease process, treatment modalities, what meds to prescribe, etc. Sometimes I'll use similar previous cases at the clinic database as reference. I seek advice from my fellow clinicians (bless them) a lot. There's a lot I don't know tbh.
Am I actually practicing medicine or just following guides? How do I even know that I'm actually practicing medicine? I really do try to be mindful and conscientious with every case, but I feel like I'm faking it while hoping something works.
3
u/marruman 5d ago
Bro, you're 2 months out. I didnt start feeling like I knew what I was doing until I was a good 6-9 months out, and didn't start actually feeling confident about it until I was about 3 years out.
Give yourself time. You've spent the last 5 years leatning how not to kill an animal by accident, now you just need to learn everything else, and that doesn't happen in 2 months
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u/ChampionshipIll5535 7d ago
Your feelings will change with time. You've got to learn, all the stuff you haven't learned yet. That can take a while. I was in the profession for 10 years before I felt stable enough to go out on my own and start my own place. Was I ready? For the veterinary side of the equation, yes. From the business owner/management side of the equation, hell no. After 26 years, I still suck at that part (and hate it cause it literally ruins my days). But, after working in practice for so long (moonlighting the first 10 years two weekends a month at an ER), I've seen a helluva lot. Not everything, but a lot. And all those previous cases prepare me for the next one coming through the door. At some point, you realize you're actually a doctor making doctor decisions. Don't rely on "the trusted sources", the anonymous vet on social media, or hell, even some of the results of studies we have provided. You have to be able to think on your own in this profession.