Role of vet students working in small and large animal clinics

[jolt9157]

I've been meaning to look into this for some time now.

At U of I vet school, it's common practice for the fourth year students to work alongside the clinicians and techs; this counts as our 'clinical year' seeing cases. However, during this time we also fulfill the role as technicians for the large and small animal clinics. This entailed working ICU and ER shifts as well as working clinic hours. However, none of us received any form of compensation or work benefits for any of this. In fact, we were paying them $18,000+ in tuition for that year.

I've heard of students filing class actions against vet schools for this practice (it is very common) but I haven't been able to find any examples on my own. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[army judge]

I've been meaning to look into this for some time now.

At U of I vet school, it's common practice for the fourth year students to work alongside the clinicians and techs; this counts as our 'clinical year' seeing cases. However, during this time we also fulfill the role as technicians for the large and small animal clinics. This entailed working ICU and ER shifts as well as working clinic hours. However, none of us received any form of compensation or work benefits for any of this. In fact, we were paying them $18,000+ in tuition for that year.

I've heard of students filing class actions against vet schools for this practice (it is very common) but I haven't been able to find any examples on my own. Any advice would be appreciated.

Yes, what you describe is common, accepted practice in institutions of higher learning.
It goes by many names: internship, practicum, externship. clinical practice, or on the job education.
It is perfectly legal and described in great detail and specificity in your school's catalog and your curriculum descriptions.
Class action lawsuit, not bloody likely to be successful.
Don't rock your own boat, soon you can legally use that DVM to rob people that love dogs, kittens, small pets, or even large farm animals.
My colleagues and I refer to our JDs as weapons of mass confiscation.
Your time will come, unless you kill the goose that will lay your golden egg one day!!!!

 

[jolt9157]

Oh I've been using my DVM for four years now It's just one of those things I've always been meaning to ask. Since I couldn't find anything online I figured it was rubbish. Thanks for your time!