"I hate being a vet" - you need to read this

I hope you landed with us

Did you just search "I hate being a vet"?

I see you.

I see you typing those four words into Google at 2am after another soul-crushing day.

I see you questioning everything you worked so hard for, wondering if this is really what you signed up for when you dreamed of helping animals.

And honestly? It breaks my heart a little, because I've been in a similar place and now I know there's another way.

I've sat in my car in the practice car park, wondering "is this it?"

I've questioned whether I made a terrible mistake choosing this profession.

I've felt that heavy weight of dread on Sunday evenings, knowing Monday was coming.

You're not alone in this feeling, and more importantly, you're not broken for feeling it.

Let's ditch the judgement

First things first - there's nothing wrong with you for having these thoughts. This isn't a character flaw or a sign that you're not cut out for veterinary medicine. It's information. Important information that deserves your attention and maybe a change could be made. Let's tell that inner critic we've heard it, thank you, but it doesn't need to run the show.

Historically the veterinary profession has a way of making us feel like we should be grateful just to be here, like admitting we're struggling is somehow ungrateful or weak. Lots of us don't believe that at all.

Here's a reminder: acknowledging that something isn't working doesn't make you less dedicated, less compassionate, or less worthy of being a vet. It makes you human.

I remember the guilt I felt when I first admitted to myself that I was unhappy. All those years of study, all the people who told me how lucky I was, all the animals I was supposed to be helping - surely I should be nothing but grateful?

But gratitude and struggle can coexist.

You can appreciate the privilege of being a vet while also recognising that the current reality of veterinary practice might not align with your wellbeing or values.

Veterinary medicine is a lot

Let's be honest about what we're dealing with here. Veterinary medicine feels to ask us to be medical experts, decision makers, teachers, mind readers (feels like it), and miracle workers - often all in the same consultation. We're expected to make life-and-death decisions under pressure, navigate complex emotional situations with clients, manage our own emotional responses to suffering and loss, and somehow maintain our mental health while doing it with unpaid overtime.

The profession has changed dramatically, and many of us weren't prepared for the reality of corporate pressures, client expectations fuelled by social media, the emotional labor of euthanasia discussions, or the weight of financial pressures that feel to force us to stay in situations that drain us.

But here's what I've learned: there is a different way. There are ways to fall back in love with vetmed, your version.

I need to look after you here...

I don't know who is reading this, and I want you to know, you don't need to navigate this alone. Help is out there. It is a strength to ask. You matter.

Before we go any further, I need to say this clearly: if you're having thoughts of self-harm, please reach out for help immediately.

Here are a few UK options:

• Vetlife's confidential helpline (0303 040 2551) is available 24/7, staffed by people who understand exactly what you're going through. You can be anonymous if you wish.

• Samaritans are available 24/7: 116 123

• In the UK if you call 111 and select the mental health option

• There's an international directory of mental health helplines here

Your life matters more than any career decision, and there are people who want to help you through this moment.

Listen to your inner wisdom...

That feeling of "I hate being a vet" - could actually your inner wisdom trying to tell you something important. It's not necessarily saying "quit veterinary medicine forever." It might be saying "this version of veterinary practice isn't working for you," or "you need some changes to reconnect with why you became a vet in the first place."

I spent years ignoring that quiet voice of discontent, thinking it would just go away if I worked harder or developed thicker skin. I thought it was a fault with me. But discomfort is data. It's your psyche's way of saying "pay attention, something needs to shift here."

Maybe you're experiencing burnout - that state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that comes from prolonged stress. Signs might include feeling cynical about work, emotionally drained after interactions with clients, physically exhausted even after rest, or finding yourself going through the motions without the passion you once felt.

If any of this resonates, know that burnout isn't a personal failing - it's a systemic issue that many vets face. The good news is that with the right support and changes, you can recover from burnout and rediscover fulfillment in veterinary medicine.

Vetlife has a resource on this here.

Working through burnout can be valuable with additional support. Let's dive briefly into what that can look like:

• Mental health professionals like therapists and counsellors help you process the deeper emotional impacts of burnout - working through anxiety, depression, or trauma responses that may have developed alongside your struggles. They provide clinical interventions and therapeutic techniques to heal from the inside out.

• Coaches (like us at Vet Empowered!), on the other hand, focus on the practical, forward-looking aspects - helping you identify what changes need to happen, develop better boundaries, navigate career transitions, and create actionable plans to prevent future burnout.

• While a therapist might help you understand why you struggle to say no due to people-pleasing patterns, a coach works with you on practical boundary-setting techniques and scripts for difficult conversations.

• Many find the most effective approach combines both - therapy to heal emotionally, and coaching to create sustainable changes in your career and life.

What do you actually need right now?

Take a moment to really check in with yourself.

What does your body, mind, and spirit actually need right now?

Psst... It's absolutely ok if you don't know the answer. Sometimes it can feel difficult, especially when we've never been taught to check in. Perhaps gently ask, what could you need?

Do you need time off?

When did you last take a proper holiday without checking the work Whatsapp chat?

Rest isn't lazy - it's essential for sustainable practice, and it's part of the process.

Do you need boundaries?

Maybe it's saying no to extra shifts, or not answering work calls on your days off, or having honest conversations about workload with your manager.

Do you need connection?

Sometimes isolation makes everything feel worse, but it's a natural tendency we have as humans. Connection looks different for everyone, what could it look like for you?

Do you need professional support?

Seeing a counsellor or therapist can be helpful to have a non-judgemental space to process your thoughts and feelings (the BACP have a list of therapists here). Many vets find it helpful to work with someone who understands the unique pressures of veterinary medicine, but I'll be honest, some of those who've helped me the most have never set foot in vet practice.

Reconnecting with your why

This might not feel like the right time for everyone, but if it does, here it is.

I want you to think back to why you became a vet. Not the practical reasons or what others told you, but your deep, personal why. Was it the connection with animals? The science and problem-solving? The opportunity to relieve suffering? The variety of cases and constant learning?

Those core values that drew you to veterinary medicine - they're still valid. The question isn't whether you should be a vet, but how you can practice in a way that honours those values and also cares for you.

Your why might have evolved too, and that's okay. Maybe initially it was about helping animals, and now it's also about educating pet owners, or advocating for animal welfare, or mentoring new graduates. Allow your purpose to grow with you.

What if you don't hate being a vet?

Here's a thought that changed everything for me: what if you don't actually hate being a vet? What if you just hate this particular version of veterinary practice that you're experiencing right now?

Maybe you hate the impossible caseload, but love the medicine.

Maybe you hate the pressure of 10minute consultations, but love your relationships with clients.

Maybe you hate the long hours, but love the intellectual challenge.

Maybe you hate the emotional exhaustion, but love making a difference in animals' lives.

This distinction matters because it opens up possibilities.

If you hate being a vet entirely, your only option might seem like leaving the profession.

But if you hate specific aspects of your current situation, then you have options to change those aspects while staying in veterinary medicine.

Change is possible: PROMISE

I know it might feel impossible right now, but change really is possible. I've seen vets transform their careers and rediscover their love for the profession. I've done it myself. It doesn't always mean dramatic changes - sometimes small shifts can make a huge difference.

Maybe it's changing practices to find a better cultural fit. Maybe it's negotiating for better working conditions. Maybe it's exploring different areas of veterinary medicine - locum work, specialist practice, research, industry, welfare organisations, or teaching. Maybe it's developing better boundaries and self-care practices within your current role.

The veterinary profession is broad and diverse. If the practice that you're at isn't working, maybe there's a change to make. If clinical practice feels overwhelming, maybe there's a role in veterinary education, research, or industry that would suit you better.

One tiny step forward

Change doesn't have to be dramatic to be meaningful.

Question: What's one small step you could take this week toward feeling better about your veterinary career?

Maybe it's having an honest conversation with your practice manager about workload.

Maybe it's booking that holiday you've been putting off.

Maybe it's reaching out to a colleague or professional for support.

Maybe it's exploring what other opportunities exist in veterinary medicine.

Maybe it's simply acknowledging that your feelings are valid and you deserve to feel fulfilled in your career.

Small steps compound over time. You don't need to have all the answers right now - you just need to take the next right step.

Practical steps you can take today

I'm going to be honest with you, we aren't about being prescriptive at Vet Empowered. Everyone is different. These are just suggestions, and you're the expert in YOU and can decide if any feel right.

Immediate self-care:

• Take your lunch break, even if it's just 15 minutes

• Say no to one non-essential request this week

• Reach out to one person who makes you feel supported

• Do one thing today just because it brings you joy

• Spend 5minutes nourishing yourself

Longer-term exploration:

• Keep a brief daily log of what energises you vs. what drains you at work

• Research different veterinary career paths that might interest you

• Consider working with a career coach who understands veterinary medicine (we are always happy to chat!)

• Look into professional development opportunities that excite you

• Listen to and read the stories of others who have made changes

Building your support network:

• Join veterinary wellbeing groups or forums

• Consider finding a mentor in the profession

• Think about counselling or therapy if you haven't already

• Connect with Vetlife or other professional support services

Reflective questions: grab your pen and paper

Take some time with these questions. Ditch the judgement.

You don't need to answer them all at once, but they might help you gain clarity about what you really want:

• If money and other people's expectations weren't factors, what would your ideal veterinary career look like?

• What parts of your veterinary training and early career did you enjoy most?

• What would need to change for you to feel excited about work again?

• What support do you need that you're not currently getting?

• If you stayed in veterinary medicine, what would you want it to give you? If you left, what would you want instead?

• What would you tell a friend who was in your exact situation?

You're Not Alone

The fact that you're reading this tells me you're someone who cares deeply - about animals, about doing good work, about living authentically. Those qualities that make you a good vet are the same qualities that make you deserving of a fulfilling career.

Your struggles make you human. And being human in a profession that often quietly expects superhuman resilience is challenging, but it's also what allows you to connect authentically with the animals and people you serve.

Whatever you decide - whether that's making changes within veterinary medicine or exploring different paths entirely - trust that you have the wisdom to figure this out. You've already overcome huge challenges to become a vet. You have more strength and resourcefulness than you realise.

The profession needs thoughtful, caring people like you. But more than that, you deserve a career that honorus your wellbeing and allows you to thrive. That might look different than what you originally imagined, and that's perfectly okay.

Change is possible. Support is available. You're not alone. And whatever comes next, you've got this.

Want to know more about how we help professionals at Vet Empowered? Check out the Vet Empowered Signature Programme.

If you're struggling and need support, remember that Vetlife is available 24/7 on 0303 040 2551, or dial 111 and select the mental health option.