• CE: 160+ RACE-approved hours in 6 months

• Eligibility: New grads or early-career DVMs (including those transitioning from non-ER roles)

• Modality: Hybrid (in-person shifts, virtual learning, and travel-based labs)

• Length: 6 months

• Location: Selected VEG hospitals across the U.S.

• Compensation: Full-time salary + benefits from day one

• Total VEG Investment Per Doctor: $100,000+

Phase 1: Hands-On Skills Training
At the start of the program, NERDs travel for in-person labs covering small animal emergency surgery, critical care, abdominal ultrasound, flexible GI endoscopy, and more. You’ll return to your hospital to apply those skills through logged procedures and case reinforcement.

Phase 2: Academics (Weekly)

Weekly Zoom sessions combine case rounds, curated exotics content, and professional development like medical math, leadership, and customer communication. You’ll complete self-guided prep with reading, videos, and radiology training, plus attend office hours with the director of NERD Education.

Phase 3: Immersive Clinical Practice (Full Duration)
NERDs work 14 clinical shifts every 28 days (not including time away for labs), gaining more independence with each phase:

• Week 1: Shadowing

• Week 2: Simple cases, client communication

• Week 3: Workflow mastery

• Weeks 4–Month 4: Complex cases, procedures, outpatient hustle

• Month 4: Leadership training

• Months 5–6: Running the floor

Phase 4: The VEG Way

Throughout the program, you’ll train in what makes VEG not normal, including gratitude, resilience, feedback, and people-first communication. This is where clinical excellence meets emotional intelligence.

Phase 5: Graduation

NERDs finish the program ready to lead, treat, and triage on the ER floor. You’ll transition into a VEG emergency doctor role, fully supported and fully prepared.

Mentorship You Can Count On

• Daily: Shift-based feedback from your senior doctor

• Weekly: Written feedback on your approach to a case and topics you are learning; office hours

• Monthly: Growth-focused check-ins with your medical director

There are four NERD cohorts a year and four application opportunities. When the next window opens, it will be posted here with a direct link to apply. Want a heads up?

Apply for our 2026 NERD Cohorts:

January 2026 Cohort:

 Application Window: July 1st '25 - September 12th '25

April 2026 Cohort: 

Application Window: August 1st '25 - October 3rd '25

July 2026 Cohort: 

Early Application | Application Window:  August 1st '25 - September 12th '25

General Application | Application Window:  

September 19th '25 - November 17th '25

Why apply early? Applying early allows for candidates to have “first dibs” when requesting a training hospital location, as NERD placement is based on need/availability.

October 2026 Cohort: 

Application Window: September 19th '25 - November 17th '25

Apply to NERD – Discover ER

Email to join the Interest List at students@veg.com