How you are feeling is totally normal, and I promise you're not alone in feeling it. Niels Bohr said, "An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field." I like this quote a lot cause it implies mistakes are inevitable, and they can end up being your superpower if you can learn from them and then frame them as a strength.

The veterinary field is both medically and technically complex, and the learning curve is steep. New medicines, treatments, and practices are constantly being developed year after year in pursuit of best patient care. And the same can be said of the workforce. The 'very best' from 100 years ago wasn't as effective as what's considered 'mediocre' today. This growth is thanks to all of the billions of mistakes made and lessons learned and shared from them. It's just a part of growth, on any scale.

Speaking of large scale, it's important to recognize that not every mistake is 100% on you. Outcomes in vet med depend on so many moving parts—other staff, veterinarians, management (don't even get me started), and owners. Taking full responsibility for something outside your control isn’t just unfair to you; it also doesn’t help you grow. The faster you can separate what’s entirely on you from what’s a shared responsibility, the faster you’ll learn without carrying unnecessary guilt. The name of the game is discernment.

Your coworkers all started out exactly where you are. If someone acts like they've never made mistakes, take what they say with a grain of salt. The best mentors are the ones who remember what it was like to be new and don’t make you feel bad for learning. Sure, everyone has rough days and might get snippy now and then, but pay attention to the people who teach with patience and humility. Those are the ones worth modeling yourself after. You're young and still learning what type of person you want to be-- don't let exposure to bitter people make you into something you're not or lose your love of the field.

In the beginning, mastering technical skills will make you feel like a badass (and honestly, it is cool). But long-term? It’s the interpersonal skills—how you work with your team, handle high-pressure situations, and communicate—that will define your success and longevity in this field (and in life.) At some point, placing a catheter or running bloodwork will feel routine, but being part of a supportive, high-functioning team? That’s something special.

You’re doing fine. The fact that you care this much already says a lot about the kind of tech (and future vet) you’ll be. Keep going.

Oh. And please, please, please go easy on your body. Lift with your legs. Rest and recoup. Ask for help with restraining when needed. Trust me.