New to ER

When you're a VEG NERD (aka 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

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Phase 1: Hands-on skills training (beginning to middle of the program):
NERDs travel for hands-on ER skills training, participating in a variety of labs, from small animal emergency surgery, to small animal critical care, to the basics of abdominal ultrasound, to flexible GI endoscopy, and more. NERDs then reinforce these skills at their hospitals through their surgery and procedure case logs.

Phase 2: Academics (weekly):
NERD class takes place via Zoom and covers everything from topic rounds (e.g. fluid therapy, respiratory distress, and ophthalmology), to a curated exotics case, to new ER doctor development (e.g. leadership, customer communication, and medical math). Weekly preparation includes self-guided reading, pre-recorded weekly topic videos, and a reading assignment. This phase also includes office hours with the director of NERD Education and radiology modules and training.

Phase 3: Immersive clinical practice (full program duration):
NERDs work 14 clinical training shifts every 28 days, excluding the time they are traveling for hands-on skills training. They work alongside our VEG teams focusing on:

• Week 1: Shadowing

• Week 2: Simple Cases, Communication Skills

• Week 3: Workflow 

• Week 4 through Month 4: More complex cases, procedure planning, outpatient hustle

• Month 4: Leadership

• Months 5 and 6: Run the floor

Phase 4: The VEG Way (integrated throughout the program)
Throughout the program, NERDS will learn about VEG’s unique culture, including a focus on communication, gratitude, resilience, and leadership and feedback training.

Phase 5: Graduation
Upon successful post-program placement and completion of the NERD program, NERD graduates will transition to VEG emergency doctors.

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: 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

Phase 1: Written application

Phase 2: Interviews (two rounds)
Candidates will do an initial interview with the leadership team via zoom. Upon invitation, they will move on to a second round in-person interview at the hospital, where they’ll get a feel for the team and how the hospital functions. Leadership will also see how the candidate responds to VEG’s environment.

Phase 3: Scheduling and confirmation
If accepted, candidates will begin the standard onboarding process, including on the job training.