The newly credentialed veterinary technician: perceptions, realities, and career challenges
Previous research has shown that when comparing psychological wellbeing between credentialed veterinary technicians and human registered nurses, high levels of burnout and distress were noted within the veterinary technician population. This qualitative focus group study sought to gain a better unde...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1437525/full |
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| author | Addie R. Reinhard Addie R. Reinhard Victoria P. Celt Leah E. Pilewki Mariel K. Hendricks Mariel K. Hendricks |
| author_facet | Addie R. Reinhard Addie R. Reinhard Victoria P. Celt Leah E. Pilewki Mariel K. Hendricks Mariel K. Hendricks |
| author_sort | Addie R. Reinhard |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Previous research has shown that when comparing psychological wellbeing between credentialed veterinary technicians and human registered nurses, high levels of burnout and distress were noted within the veterinary technician population. This qualitative focus group study sought to gain a better understanding of the early-career veterinary technician experience to understand what factors might contribute to stress and burnout. Four ninety-minute qualitative focus groups were conducted with a range of two to five participants. Semi-structured interviewing was used, and focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed. Two major categories were identified: (1) The Credentialing Journey, and (2) Challenges with the Career. Seven themes were identified in these two categories, including Credentialing: Perceptions and Reality, the Newly Credentialed Veterinary Technician, Us vs. Us, Ethical Dilemmas, Work Environment, Utilization, and Career Longevity. The findings of this study can inform future intervention research to improve the mental health and wellbeing of veterinary technicians. A focus on teaching team-based medicine, leadership skills, and conflict management in both veterinary and veterinary technician schools may help reduce team conflict. In addition, effectively utilizing veterinary technicians and increasing awareness of their value may help improve veterinary technician career satisfaction. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fd1f5c5268204d3e93d7f96342ec341d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-fd1f5c5268204d3e93d7f96342ec341d2025-01-17T14:56:51ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-01-011210.3389/fvets.2025.14375251437525The newly credentialed veterinary technician: perceptions, realities, and career challengesAddie R. Reinhard0Addie R. Reinhard1Victoria P. Celt2Leah E. Pilewki3Mariel K. Hendricks4Mariel K. Hendricks5MentorVet, Lexington, KY, United StatesRichard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, United StatesMentorVet, Lexington, KY, United StatesMentorVet, Lexington, KY, United StatesMentorVet, Lexington, KY, United StatesRichard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, United StatesPrevious research has shown that when comparing psychological wellbeing between credentialed veterinary technicians and human registered nurses, high levels of burnout and distress were noted within the veterinary technician population. This qualitative focus group study sought to gain a better understanding of the early-career veterinary technician experience to understand what factors might contribute to stress and burnout. Four ninety-minute qualitative focus groups were conducted with a range of two to five participants. Semi-structured interviewing was used, and focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed. Two major categories were identified: (1) The Credentialing Journey, and (2) Challenges with the Career. Seven themes were identified in these two categories, including Credentialing: Perceptions and Reality, the Newly Credentialed Veterinary Technician, Us vs. Us, Ethical Dilemmas, Work Environment, Utilization, and Career Longevity. The findings of this study can inform future intervention research to improve the mental health and wellbeing of veterinary technicians. A focus on teaching team-based medicine, leadership skills, and conflict management in both veterinary and veterinary technician schools may help reduce team conflict. In addition, effectively utilizing veterinary technicians and increasing awareness of their value may help improve veterinary technician career satisfaction.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1437525/fullburnoututilizationlongevityveterinary technicianveterinary wellbeing |
| spellingShingle | Addie R. Reinhard Addie R. Reinhard Victoria P. Celt Leah E. Pilewki Mariel K. Hendricks Mariel K. Hendricks The newly credentialed veterinary technician: perceptions, realities, and career challenges Frontiers in Veterinary Science burnout utilization longevity veterinary technician veterinary wellbeing |
| title | The newly credentialed veterinary technician: perceptions, realities, and career challenges |
| title_full | The newly credentialed veterinary technician: perceptions, realities, and career challenges |
| title_fullStr | The newly credentialed veterinary technician: perceptions, realities, and career challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | The newly credentialed veterinary technician: perceptions, realities, and career challenges |
| title_short | The newly credentialed veterinary technician: perceptions, realities, and career challenges |
| title_sort | newly credentialed veterinary technician perceptions realities and career challenges |
| topic | burnout utilization longevity veterinary technician veterinary wellbeing |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1437525/full |
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