All The Places You’ll Go
Ten years ago I went to my first IVECCS conference and knew immediately that I wanted to pursue my veterinary technician specialty certification. I thought that maybe I would get a small raise and be able to better care for my patients, but working in a small town emergency clinic in Maine that was only open nights and weekends made it nearly impossible at that time. So I studied everything we saw and when I could I moved closer to the city and put in two years of intensive work on learning new skills and knowledge to submit my VTS application and pass the fierce exam. Since I earned my VTS many people have asked me what has changed since I earned my VTS ECC.
The truth is, I really had no idea about the changes that would occur in my life. Some have been financial but by far the greater number have been less tangible and more enriching. I was able to move to California to work in a progressive, open practice, intensive care unit. I was the only employee they have hired through only a phone interview. It is a practice that understands the value of registered technicians and veterinary technician specialists in multiple areas of the hospital, and compensates appropriately for advancing knowledge and skills. And I no longer have to deal with snow.
The increased working opportunities have also been numerous. I began lecturing and have even been able to lecture at a national conference, I’ve also been asked to write chapters in veterinary technician texts. Ever since I learned how to read I’ve wanted to be a published author. Mixed acid base may not be the same as dragons, but I’m finally going to be published in two books since earning my VTS. Although it is possible to lecture or be published without a VTS and a lot of people do, this is something I never would have experienced otherwise because I just didn’t have the confidence or support before working through the process. I also had the opportunity to moderate for Veterinary Support Network, which has helped me so much in the past that I was ecstatic to give back
The increased knowledge and skills that I have learned from obtaining my VTS have made caring for my patients easier. I am now better able to understand the processes leading to disease and how the process of healing can follow multiple different courses with differing results. My skills have increased exponentially in the last few years. I’m always on standby with the gold standards of care available when needed. And I have greater support from my veterinarians than ever before. Being part of a VTS we are encouraged to continue lifelong education.
The greatest reward I’ve received from my VTS has been the relationships that I have developed personally and professionally during and after my application process, and it has been invaluable. I’ve learned the value of mentorship though amazing mentors that have helped me and encouraged me. I’ve also realized the incredible reward from mentoring others in their careers. We can’t do this alone but together we can do anything.
I recently traveled to Texas for my 9th IVECCS, where I administered this year’s AVECCTs VTS exam. I’ll also be continuing my education with an amazing group of technicians and veterinarians. My focus has changed through the years, from just trying to learn everything I can to wanting to move my career forward but to also help define and advance the profession of veterinary technicians/ nurses. I couldn’t be happier with the choice I made to pursue my VTS ECC.
Brandee L. Bean CVT, VTS (ECC)
About our guest author: Brandee graduated from the University of Maine with an A.S. in veterinary technology and became a licensed veterinary technician in 2001. After 11 years in emergency and critical care medicine she earned her VTS (ECC) in 2013. Brandee serves as co-chair on the exam committee for AVECCT. Her areas of special interest include intensive care, toxicology, metabolic disorders, and the special challenges involved in treating felines. She has authored chapters in two veterinary technician texts to be released in 2016. Brandee shares her home with Sadie, a crazy lab mix, and Piggy and Jenny, the 2 cats that rule the roost.
Ten years ago I went to my first IVECCS conference and knew immediately that I wanted to pursue my veterinary technician specialty certification. I thought that maybe I would get a small raise and be able to better care for my patients, but working in a small town emergency clinic in Maine that was only open nights and weekends made it nearly impossible at that time. So I studied everything we saw and when I could I moved closer to the city and put in two years of intensive work on learning new skills and knowledge to submit my VTS application and pass the fierce exam. Since I earned my VTS many people have asked me what has changed since I earned my VTS ECC.
The truth is, I really had no idea about the changes that would occur in my life. Some have been financial but by far the greater number have been less tangible and more enriching. I was able to move to California to work in a progressive, open practice, intensive care unit. I was the only employee they have hired through only a phone interview. It is a practice that understands the value of registered technicians and veterinary technician specialists in multiple areas of the hospital, and compensates appropriately for advancing knowledge and skills. And I no longer have to deal with snow.
The increased working opportunities have also been numerous. I began lecturing and have even been able to lecture at a national conference, I’ve also been asked to write chapters in veterinary technician texts. Ever since I learned how to read I’ve wanted to be a published author. Mixed acid base may not be the same as dragons, but I’m finally going to be published in two books since earning my VTS. Although it is possible to lecture or be published without a VTS and a lot of people do, this is something I never would have experienced otherwise because I just didn’t have the confidence or support before working through the process. I also had the opportunity to moderate for Veterinary Support Network, which has helped me so much in the past that I was ecstatic to give back
The increased knowledge and skills that I have learned from obtaining my VTS have made caring for my patients easier. I am now better able to understand the processes leading to disease and how the process of healing can follow multiple different courses with differing results. My skills have increased exponentially in the last few years. I’m always on standby with the gold standards of care available when needed. And I have greater support from my veterinarians than ever before. Being part of a VTS we are encouraged to continue lifelong education.
The greatest reward I’ve received from my VTS has been the relationships that I have developed personally and professionally during and after my application process, and it has been invaluable. I’ve learned the value of mentorship though amazing mentors that have helped me and encouraged me. I’ve also realized the incredible reward from mentoring others in their careers. We can’t do this alone but together we can do anything.
I recently traveled to Texas for my 9th IVECCS, where I administered this year’s AVECCTs VTS exam. I’ll also be continuing my education with an amazing group of technicians and veterinarians. My focus has changed through the years, from just trying to learn everything I can to wanting to move my career forward but to also help define and advance the profession of veterinary technicians/ nurses. I couldn’t be happier with the choice I made to pursue my VTS ECC.
Brandee L. Bean CVT, VTS (ECC)
About our guest author: Brandee graduated from the University of Maine with an A.S. in veterinary technology and became a licensed veterinary technician in 2001. After 11 years in emergency and critical care medicine she earned her VTS (ECC) in 2013. Brandee serves as co-chair on the exam committee for AVECCT. Her areas of special interest include intensive care, toxicology, metabolic disorders, and the special challenges involved in treating felines. She has authored chapters in two veterinary technician texts to be released in 2016. Brandee shares her home with Sadie, a crazy lab mix, and Piggy and Jenny, the 2 cats that rule the roost.
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