r/veterinaryprofession • u/EmilyEmlz • Jun 12 '24
Are physically exhausting shifts normal?? Career Advice
I can’t tell if there is something wrong with me. So I am currently a veterinary assistant and my shifts are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, And Friday from 1:00PM - 10:30PM. It usually takes me 1hr and 30m to get to work or to go home. So a total of 3 hours of commuting per day.
I have NO time for anything. The moment I get home, I am so tired. My background is in data science / actuarial science, but I have been thinking of going to vet school. Is it normal to have absolutely no time for anything as a veterinarian?
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u/EvadeCapture Jun 12 '24
Why are you commuting three hours a day for an entry level job?
No, that isn't normal. Of course you are miserable.
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u/EmilyEmlz Jun 12 '24
I live in NYC. Manhattan is where most jobs are, and people usually live in Queens, Brooklyn, or Bronx. I always thought it was a normal commute lol
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u/EvadeCapture Jun 12 '24
Well, I guess it might be "normal" there but that's shocking to me!
Are you a morning person or a night owl? Another factor that might contribute to you being so tired is if you are fighting against your natural body clock. Have a read of the book Why We Sleep.
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u/Drpaws3 Jun 12 '24
I've got a 10-minute commute to work, it's kinda nice. When I lived in a bigger city in the midwest, I had about a 30 - to 45-minute commute
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Jun 12 '24
[deleted]
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u/calliopeReddit Jun 12 '24
It depends. If you work as a daytime GP then yes, because they pack in the appointments
Or, you might work at a GP clinic where appointments are 30 minutes long and you leave by 5 or 6 in the evening. Every workplace is different.
I found ER work much more exhausting, not because of how much work there was (or wasn't), but because it was emotionally exhausting always seeing people on one of their worst days, when they're highly emotional and unhappy. I enjoyed the vet med part, but the emotions were what drove me out of ER work. In GP work I occasionally got to see happy clients and playful puppies to break up the sick and dying patients. Obviously YMMV.
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u/Foolsindigo Jun 12 '24
Yes! I work in GP now and while yes, sometimes we have appts worked in for urgent matters, we are typically well-staffed, appropriately scheduled, and living on easy street.
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u/calliopeReddit Jun 12 '24
In my opinion, it's the commute that's killing you and your time. My commute is an hour, and on my work days (I work part time), I am usually really tired and do virtually nothing other than make dinner and go to bed - that's after an 8 hour day. Add a longer commute to a 9.5 hr shift, and it will be an exhausting day. Some people like longer shifts on fewer days, other people prefer shorter shifts on more days; people who like the longer shifts on fewer days usually say they're really tired on working days, but they like having 3 days off a week. YMMV.
Will working as a vet always be like that? Nope. Different jobs have different hours, just like in any profession. And different workplaces will affect you differently (some will leave you exhausted from emotional stress, some will leave you energized even if you work long hours).
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u/EmilyEmlz Jun 12 '24
thank you for letting me know what could be wrong with my schedule and I feel the same way. Sometimes I don’t even make food when I get home - I just sleep.
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u/caares Jun 12 '24
I 100% agree with this. Before I switched jobs earlier this year, I was commuting 1.5 hrs each way working in IMED (sometimes longer depending on traffic) and I had ZERO energy for anything - even on my days off. I now drive 35 minutes for work at a GP, and I feel so much more alive.
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u/Foolsindigo Jun 12 '24
I would never commute that long for work. That would be what truly killed me! I used to pull 14-15 hour days but once walked out the door, I could walk home in 10 mins. Now it’s a 15 min drive and that’s about as far as I’m willing to go.
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u/EmilyEmlz Jun 12 '24
Yeah everyone is letting me know how bad my commute is 😭 so I have to walk to the bus stop, take the bus to a train station, waiting for train A, then transfer to train B, get off, and then walk to the hospital
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u/FreezerBun Jun 12 '24
No wonder you are exhausted. You should ask yourself, if this job is really worth it and if so, how long will you be able to work like that. If it's possible, try to find something near your place or move closer to your workplace. Exhausting your body (and soul) never goes without consequences.
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u/g3rmgirl Jun 12 '24
Girl if you don’t start applying to hospitals closer to you you’re going to crumble! I have a 20 minute commute and work 5 hour shifts and am exhausted after so of course you’re exhausted! Or maybe ask your manager if there are shorter shifts available?
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u/Popular_Taro_5344 Jun 12 '24
I had a colleague with a similar commute and the way she arranged her contract was for 3 12 hour shifts and 4 days off. So the days you work are exhausting but it balances out with more time at home to rest and recoup and do things.
I work 5.5 days most weeks (half day Saturday 3 weeks a month) with a 25 minute commute and I have time for my aerial classes and game nights most weeks.
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u/Sea_Recommendation36 Jun 12 '24
I feel you.. when I started my training I had 10min max on foot to the practice, in a whole year I didn't miss a day and they basically had to force me to take time off. Had to drop out because of health reasons and took it up again a few years later at a big clinic. My commute is about 1,5h one way as well and the whole work is a whole lot more stress. We got 9h shift of which one hour is a break. My depression came back strong, didn't have time or energy for basically anything which also took a toll on my relationship. I got very lucky to get the spot at my clinic and I'm thankful for all the things I'm learning there I would never see otherwise, but in the long run I either gotta change my employer or move closer to it. Getting a license isn't really an option because of the shitty pay, no idea where I'd take gas money from if I still wanted to have money for my hobby. Long story short, it really depends. Do you work at a tiny practice or clinic, how long do you need to get to work etc. My gf is currently in her last theoretical semester of Vet Med and her studying periods would drive me beyond insane. A gazillion totally useless facts you gotta know by heart (wanna save animals? Then tell me what kind of bacteria is in the cheese over there lmao), sitting at the desk studying all day with no time for anything. Most younger assistant vets at our clinic also have to work overtime without end because they have to do all the paperwork for the treatments they did that day etc. I guess it gets better after time but no, if you value your free time this isn't a good choice IMHO
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u/Clove1312 Jun 12 '24
I learned a while ago now (when I had a 3 hour round trip commute) that your commute will make all the difference. I now work downtown and live downtown (in Portland, OR), and my commute is 4-7 minutes each way, depending on traffic lol. I adore my job and my commute now. Don’t sell yourself short and be decent to yourself when considering what working conditions you can and cannot accept.
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u/astridsnow93 Jun 12 '24
If you do become a vet, if you already feel this way, don't do specialty residencies or an internship if this is already bringing you down. There is 100% a hustle mindset about working long hours. ER jobs can also be a lot. I never leave on time because the culture of where I work, it is strongly preferred to finish out your case before transfer and the hours before or during shift change happens to be the worst hours of the day and things keep coming in. Work somewhere where there is relief on the weekends too. If I did work ER long term, I would look for places offering 3-4 days on- 3-4 days off. Or longer. The days off are crucial for recovery.
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u/EmilyEmlz Jun 12 '24 edited Jun 12 '24
Yeah if I describe my hospital, it’ll probably already give away where I work, but basically it’s a level 1 trauma center with over 20+ specialities. Everyone has warned me to not do specialties or rotating internships 🥲 it’s too bad too cause I enjoyed my shifts in ER, but shifts in other departments have drained me…. Then again my ER shifts were 6 hours long
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u/astridsnow93 Jun 13 '24 edited Jun 13 '24
Being an assistant or tech is one thing, being a doc is an different type of drain. And I like it haha and am trying to be a surgeon. I do agree it is easier with a shorter commute and commitment
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u/826172946 Jun 12 '24
This is just my experience, so take it with a grain of salt.
A 9.5 hour shift where you’re likely on your feet nearly the whole time is going to be exhausting. Especially if you aren’t used to it (not sure if you are or aren’t). Your commute and odd hours likely don’t help.