A veterinary technician or "vet tech" plays a very important role in assisting the care of animals. Becoming a vet tech is definitely a labor of love, and the good news is that the employment outlook is very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for vet techs will grow 52 percent between 2010 and 2020— much faster than most occupations.
As a vet tech, you'll diagnose medical conditions in animals, perform tests, prepare samples for lab work and provide nursing care to the animals you assist. If you've already decided to go to school to become a vet tech, you might want to consider equipping yourself with these key study tools so that you can get the very most out of your education:
Vet Tech Flash Cards
Vet tech flash cards are an excellent study aid, and there are a number of sets available for free online. From Anatomy and Physiology to medical terminology to specialized topics like suture material or endocrinology, studying with flash cards can help you to commit the material to memory, do better on tests and perform better out in the field.
Mosby's Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians
This book, pinned on the Penn Foster veterinarian assistant schoolPinterest page, is one that vet tech students should get to know well. "Mosby's Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians" introduces as well as reviews material from each key veterinary tech course. Topics such as diagnostics and applications, basic and clinical science, professional practices and other key subjects are presented in the book in a user-friendly format. The book is ideal for new students or when reviewing for exams.
A VTNE Study Guide
When preparing for the comprehensive Veterinary Technician National Examination, a study guide can be extremely helpful. Choose one written by VTNE experts who have painstakingly researched the key test concepts and topics. A quality VTNE study guide can help you to feel less stressed before and during test time and have a much higher chance of acing your VTNE. There are both free and paid resources available online.
Animal-Shaped Thumb Drives
Why not inject a little fun into your studies? Don't settle for an ordinary portable USB drive when there are so many cool novelty models to choose from. Thumb drives are available in just about any type of animal designunder the sun. Carry your notes and other data in a way that broadcasts your love of animals as you study.
Vet Tech Apps
If you have a smartphone or a tablet (and who doesn't these days), take advantage of the growing number of apps that can help make studying easier than ever. There are even some apps made specifically for vet tech studies, such as the Veterinary Assistant & Technician Guide by SageMilk, or the Veterinary Technician Exam Prep app by Upward Mobility.
As a vet tech, you'll get to do what you love while helping animals feel better. Consider equipping yourself with these helpful study aids so that you can truly make the most of your vet tech studies.