- VEG
- Jun 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Meet Hailey Parr, a veterinary nurse at VEG Lincoln Park, and Jenn Dow, a veterinary nurse at VEG Asheville. Both VEGgies earned a VTS certification with the support of VEG’s VTS Mentorship Training, so they could gain the advanced knowledge and skills needed to practice confidently as VEG veterinary nurses (and here at VEG, we refer to credentialed veterinary technicians as veterinary nurses because we think that's the role they play!). They both have a lot to say about their experience in the program and how it helped them not only earn a VTS, but also get to where they are today.
How did you learn about VTS Mentorship Training?
HAILEY: When I applied to work at VEG three years ago, I had heard a lot about the company's focus on education and making veterinary nursing a sustainable career. It's VEG's goal to help their employees grow and love their jobs—especially veterinary nurses—which was very apparent in my own experience when I started here. The team is dedicated to finding out your career goals and helping you achieve them.
JENN: I was sent a message about the program by AVECTNN (the academy VTS is part of), when I passed my Part B of the application process.
Why did you participate? What were you hoping to get out of the program?
HAILEY: Even before I graduated from college, I knew I wanted to earn my VTS (ECC). I wanted to gain the knowledge and certification to give my patients the absolute best care possible. VTS Mentorship Training started at VEG at the perfect time for me—when I became eligible to apply for VTS certification. I knew the application process was long (two years of work!) and complex, and I really wanted help to ensure I didn't miss any details along the way. I also wanted to connect with people who had the same goals and passions so we could study together and learn difficult concepts more effectively and efficiently.
JENN: I participated partly because I had heard from other VTS's about how important it is to be part of the program. And, I was hoping to learn real life applications of what I was reading about. Without the program, I wouldn't have known what books to read or what information to study—and it would have been so much harder!
What kind of support did you receive from your team/manager to further your learning?
HAILEY: My nursing manager was extremely supportive—she adjusted my schedule so I could attend study sessions and lectures regularly, and without hesitation. One of our nursing trainers who is a VTS (ECC) was also really helpful and encouraging. She read my application, case reports, and case logs, and spent lots of time reviewing concepts with me. I am so thankful to have had her as a resource throughout the process.
My hospital team was also very supportive. They allowed me to take the lead on critical cases, perform advanced skills for my application, and hold mini-lectures to talk through the pathophysiology of disease processes we were treating. The VTS (ECC) application is not something you can do alone. It takes a big support system to help you keep going, and I am so thankful I had such a supportive team at VEG Lincoln Park!
JENN: Everyone was really supportive. I was able to step off the floor (when possible) to watch weekly mentorship study sessions, and I would use down time to read chapters, make study guides, and study for the exam. My leadership team also sent me to the NAVC Institute to learn the advanced skills needed to do well on the skills list for my Part B application. Several people from my mentorship group also got together to quiz each other and study, which was extremely helpful.
What was your favorite aspect of the program?
HAILEY: I loved having the opportunity to learn from experts in such a small, personal setting. People like Ken Yagi and Angela Rathman, who have literally written books on their topics of expertise, talked with our little group over Zoom!
JENN: My favorite aspect was the study sessions, because there was a lot of quizzing of material, which helped me realize what I knew and what I still needed to learn. I tried to do all the required reading and podcasts before the sessions so I could get the most out of them.
Share something unexpected about your experience.
HAILEY: I didn't expect to gain so much confidence through the VTS application process and mentorship program. It’s helped me to be a better nurse and person in that respect. Being able to talk through difficult concepts in a safe and judgement-free environment helped me learn and feel more confident in my ability to practice the advanced medicine we covered through this process.
JENN: I’ve been inspired to host some study sessions for VEG's VTS Mentorship Training program and have become an administrator for the "VTS or Bust" study group to help with hosting sessions. I’ve also decided to do continuing education talks, and hope to be RACE approved soon so that I can spread knowledge to even more people.
How will this program help you grow in your career at VEG?
HAILEY: It helped me achieve my major career goal of obtaining my VTS (ECC), which allows me to do so much more. I can give lectures, discuss and help formulate diagnostics and treatment plans with doctors, train other nurses and assistants, and write journal articles and book chapters. I now have the education and certification to go further in my career than I ever could before.
JENN: After graduating from the program, I asked my leaders if I could become a Recover CPR Rescuer Instructor, and they immediately said yes! I look forward to certifying VEGgies and others in the community, as well as passing on all of the useful information I’ve learned through the Recover Program.
Is there something you’re doing now that you weren’t able to do before completing this program?
HAILEY: Now that I'm a VTS (ECC), I am taking charge and providing advanced care before the doctors can even ask, leading my team through difficult cases, training my team members on new skills and concepts, and applying my knowledge to better the medical excellence at our hospital. I have the confidence and knowledge to make a difference for my team members and patients that I didn't have before.
JENN: The sky's the limit! One of the things I am most excited about is giving back to the program that helped me pass my examination. VEG VTS Mentorship Training is amazing, and I hope everyone interested in becoming a VTS is aware of just how lucky we are to have this kind of program at our fingertips!
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VEG ER for Pets prides itself on its culture of learning, with educational programs to help grow your knowledge and support your career goals, whether you’re a student, new to ER, or a seasoned veterinary professional.
