grow with VEG
When you’re at VEG, the learning never stops. You can grow your knowledge and skills at every level, whether you’re a student on your way to becoming an ER vet, new to ER, or a seasoned doctor.
Why? Because we don’t take our jobs lightly. We invest in our VEGgies because they have a passion for ER and they want to be the best at helping people and their pets when they need it most. So whether you want to brush up on your skills, learn new techniques, or become a better leader, we support you. We’ll find a way to say yes, so you can learn, grow, and find happiness and fulfillment in the work you do every day.
Start Your Career At VEG
students
start your ER journey here
DVM Extern
Students: here’s your chance to roll up your sleeves and get a true ER experience in our hospitals! Through one-on-one mentorship from our skilled emergency doctors, DVM externs learn how to communicate effectively with customers, diagnose a variety of emergency conditions, develop emergency treatment plans, and more—while being fully immersed in VEG culture.
- Who’s Eligible: Veterinary students in their 3rd and 4th year at AVMA-accredited universities
- Modality: In person
- Location: Selected VEG hospitals around the country
- Program Length: If not for school credit: Up to 7 days; For school credit: 2 weeks; flexible based on school requirements
![VEG_PHOENIX_25_FULL](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/06/07135731/VEG_PHOENIX_25_FULL.jpg)
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Nurse Extern
As nurse externs, vet technician and veterinary nursing students get hands-on experience in the ER, learning everything from triaging emergency cases to running diagnostic tests. With one-on-one support from a credentialed veterinary nurse, you’ll see what it really takes to be an ER nurse!
- Who’s Eligible: Veterinary technician and nursing students in any year who are enrolled in an AVMA/CVTEA accredited veterinary technology/nursing program, and in a class that requires clinical skills and/or hours. Must be rabies vaccinated.
- Modality: In person
- Location: Selected VEG hospitals around the country
- Program Length: Varies by school
new to ER?
essential skills to build your ER career
NERD Program
When you’re a VEG NERD (a.k.a. new ER doctor), you’re part of a program that transforms recent DVM grads and practicing non-emergency veterinarians into skilled, confident ER doctors. Through academic and clinical teachings that cover ER case readiness skills—from imaging, to exotics, to general VEG doctoring—combined with our individualized approach to mentorship, NERDs are immersed in the world of ER, growing both personally and professionally and emerging ready to take on any case that walks through the door.
- Who’s Eligible: Any veterinary doctor in the early stages of their career or at an existing GP/similar veterinary practice making the transition to ER
- Modality: Hybrid: in-person hands-on training, synchronous distance on school days, in-person clinical shifts
- Location: Selected VEG hospitals around the country + travel for hands-on labs
- Length: Six months
![VEG_SANTA_MONICA_017_FULL](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/06/07141020/VEG_SANTA_MONICA_017_FULL-scaled.jpg)
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SCRIBES
Gain first-hand emergency veterinary experience while getting to partner with one of our doctors! Scribes learn to create the perfect medical record while also assisting with doctor workflow: building estimates, inputting charges, tracking results, and submitting reports. This program is unique to VEG and a great first step on your path to becoming a VEG doctor.
- Who’s Eligible: Pre-veterinary or veterinary students
- Modality: Hybrid: In-person floor training; Online classroom training in the hospital on days one and two
- Location: VEG hospitals
- Program Length: One year commitment preferred; flexible based on hospital needs
LEARNING FOR VEGGIEs
clinical growth
take ER to the next level
ER Certificate Program
A first-of-its kind program for experienced VEG doctors who want to take their skills and knowledge to the next level. Through case presentations, intensive hands-on workshops, teamwork, and face-to-face opportunities with mentors and instructors, our doctors learn new tools and techniques for everything from critical case management to emergent procedures—all while building competence and confidence in the ER.
- Who’s Eligible: ER doctors with 1.5-2 years of experience, who have been at VEG for at least six months
- Modality: Hybrid: Phase one: asynchronous distance learning, Phase two: in person, Phase three: synchronous distance, Phase four: in person
- Location: Online and occasional travel to Vegas training center
- Program Length: Six months
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![VEG_DENVER_MARCH_2024_62 Two veterinarians holding a cat and taking its temperature.](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/07/15154550/VEG_DENVER_MARCH_2024_62.jpg)
Cultivate
Whether you’re an experienced nurse or new to the field, Cultivate provides the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of VEG nursing care. Covering everything from vital sign monitoring and triage to nursing care for critical cases and advancement procedures, nurses work one on one with trainers and team members to gain the skills they need to do ER best
- Who’s Eligible: All full- and part-time nursing team members with no employment time constraint
- Modality: Hybrid
- Location: VEG hospitals
- Program Length: Varies depending on nursing experience
Exotics Micro-Certificate Program
This advanced program in exotic animal medicine and surgery helps VEGgies develop a deeper understanding of the exotics we see at VEG—from birds and reptiles, to small mammals and more! You’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to see any patient that walks in our door.
- Who’s Eligible: All experienced doctors and NERD graduates with basic knowledge and skills in exotic animal medicine with no employment time constraint
- Modality: Virtual
- Program Length: Four months
![DSC02338](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/06/07143009/DSC02338.jpg)
![DSC01462 Veterinary Nurse trainer talking to someone.](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/07/15172646/DSC01462.jpg)
Credentialing Support
All VEGgies have a path to become veterinary nurses through our credentialing support program! Earn your A.S. in veterinary technology/nursing with VEG’s support, which includes up to $1,500 for the four semester program, VTNE exam and prep course reimbursement, externship mentorship and fees to cover credentialing as a veterinary technician in your state of employment.
- Who’s Eligible: After three months of employment, all frontline VEGgies who want to become a credentialed veterinary technicians (a.k.a. VEG Veterinary Nurse)
- Modality: Online, self-paced A.S. degree in veterinary technology/nursing; includes two in-person externships
- Location: Online + externships at VEG hospitals and other locations
- Program Length: Ideally two years; four years if needed
Associate Courses
Designed and taught by VEG doctors, these courses teach associate doctors the skills they need to perform a variety of procedures not often performed at other ERs, such as endoscopies and emergency surgeries (i.e. gastrotomy, splenectomy, and enucleation).
- Who’s Eligible: Associate doctors who have been at VEG for six months
- Modality: In person
- Location: Training Centers in Las Vegas or Fort Collins
- Program Length: Two days for each course
![VEG_sparX_2024_231 People sitting in a lecture hall, paying attention to the speaker.](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/06/07143910/VEG_sparX_2024_231-scaled.jpg)
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VTS Mentorship Training
If you’re an experienced veterinary nurse preparing for the VTS certification process, VEG has your back! Our VTS Mentorship Training program includes case preparation, study sessions, focal material review, and more.
- Who’s Eligible: Experienced veterinary nurses with 3-5 years of full time emergency and critical care experience attained after state credential attained
- Modality: Virtual
- Program Length: Two years
RECOVER Certification
Instructed by VEG nurses and DVMs who live and breathe RECOVER Basic and Advanced Life Support, this training allows all VEGgies to learn and receive certification in administering evidence-based CPR. All participants will earn certification as RECOVER Certified Rescuers.
- Who’s Eligible: ER doctors, veterinary nurses, and veterinary assistants with no employment time constraint
- Modality: Hybrid: one day virtual, one day in-person
- Location: VEG hospitals
- Program Length: Two days
![DSC03257](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/06/07144711/DSC03257.jpg)
![Sarah_anesthesia_1](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/06/07145026/Sarah_anesthesia_1.jpg)
Nursing Anesthesia Simulator Training
VEGgies with advanced nursing experience can level up their skills with nursing anesthesia training, giving them competence and confidence in emergency anesthesia case management. Taught by VTS-level trainers, the training is geared toward the unique emergency and critical care caseload we see at VEG.
- Who’s Eligible: Experienced veterinary nurses and veterinary assistants with the proper prerequisites with no employment time constraint
- Modality: In person
- Location: VEG hospitals
- Program Length: One day
leadership training
learn to lead the VEG way
VEG Academy
If you’re a frontline leader looking to strengthen your leadership skills, this program covers all of the important stuff—from emotional intelligence and hospital management to difficult conversations and coaching and development. Through the program’s three courses—Lead Self, Lead The VEG Way, Lead Others, and Lead Business—as well as coaching, coursework, and monthly meetings with a mentor, you’ll be empowered to lead.
- Who’s Eligible: Medical directors, hospital managers, and nursing managers with no employment time constraint
- Modality: Hybrid: in-person orientation, virtual courses
- Location: White Plains Headquarters + virtual
- Program Length: Six weeks
![VEG_sparX_2024_227 Man sitting at a table paying attention to a lecture.](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/07/15175409/VEG_sparX_2024_227-scaled.jpg)
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L.E.A.D. Library
A quick and easy way for VEGgies to focus on developing their leadership skills, the L.E.A.D. Library is a collection of 10 to 15-minute courses that will help you grow both personally and professionally. Covering concepts such as emotional intelligence, problem solving, and decision making, you’ll think about your role as a leader in a whole new way.
- Who’s Eligible: All VEGgies with no employment time constraint
- Modality: Virtual
- Program Length: Each elective course takes 10-15 minutes
Basic Leadership Training
Leadership development is encouraged in every role and at every stage of your career at VEG—it’s part of our vision to promote 80% of our leaders from within! For this reason, all VEGgies begin Basic Leadership Training on day one, engaging them in all aspects of leadership education at VEG—from taking courses and observing leaders in their hospitals, to setting goals and meeting with managers to reflect on their growth.
- Who’s Eligible: Mandatory for all VEGgies
- Modality: Virtual
- Program Length: 90 days
![VEG_sparX_2024_212](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/06/07145515/VEG_sparX_2024_212-scaled.jpg)
continuing education
unlimited ways to learn
![VEG_MARKETING_PHOTOS_37_FULL](https://cdn-static.findly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2849/2024/06/07141834/VEG_MARKETING_PHOTOS_37_FULL.jpg)
GROW, BEYOND
When it comes to learning at VEG, the limit does not exist! If you’re looking for a program or area of learning we don’t offer, we’ll support you with unlimited CE. This means, you’ll meet with your leader to develop an individual growth plan and determine the learning you need to develop your knowledge and skills. Need to travel for CE? We’ll even give you a stipend to cover your expenses! Your success is our success too, so we’ll do whatever we can to help you reach your goals.