Top Tips: New Veterinary Graduates Entering Equine Practice
While efforts get underway to increase the needed overall numbers of veterinary providers entering the workforce, here are some great tips to enhance the recruitment and retention of existing equine veterinarians and new veterinary graduates entering equine practice.
Keeping Equine Vets Off the Endangered Species List
Posted by Haylie Kerstetter | Article, Equine Care Professions, Horse Industry News, Vet and Professional, Veterinary Practice, Veterinary Students, Veterinary Technicians, Welfare and Industry
Each year, 37.5% of veterinary medicine students believe they want to go into equine practice upon graduation; however, only 1% of graduates enter equine practice, and 50% of them leave within their first five years. Martha Mallicote, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Weeks Endowed Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in Gainesville, began her presentation at the 2023 Ocala Equine Conference held Jan. 21-22, with this statistic and encouraged practitioners to examine how they can improve the current workplace culture driving so many veterinarians away.
Mallicote shared that according to the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), equine practitioners work more hours than those in other branches of veterinary medicine and get paid less. Of those who take out student loans during veterinary school, the average graduate has $186,430 in debt but will be offered a starting salary of $70,000 per year.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) reports the greatest needs of veterinary students and veterinarians in the early stages of their careers include: • Strong community• Adequate compensation• Work-life balance• Mentorship
Mallicote shared that according to the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), equine practitioners work more hours than those in other branches of veterinary medicine and get paid less. Of those who take out student loans during veterinary school, the average graduate has $186,430 in debt but will be offered a starting salary of $70,000 per year.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) reports the greatest needs of veterinary students and veterinarians in the early stages of their careers include: • Strong community• Adequate compensation• Work-life balance• Mentorship