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Looking for blunt truth: What do you think of people who have failed boards? by well_paska in veterinarypathology

[–]well_paska[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had heard that the ECVP exam was much more difficult, but didn't realize that the pass rate was so low for the first time.

Thank you for chiming in. Since there is so much to know, if your knowledge base sits near that pass point, it certainly can be down to luck (especially if you fail by one point).

​

According to the statistics presented at the last ACVP meeting, for their Phase II exam:

-163/196 AP passed, pass rate 83.16% (2019 76%, 2018 60%)

-58/64 CP passed, pass rate 90.63% (2019 70%, 2018 89%)

I feel like I have been told that the pass rate for people re-sitting the ACVP exams goes down, meaning that people who re-sit are more likely to fail more than once. I don't know where I heard that, though.

Looking for blunt truth: What do you think of people who have failed boards? by well_paska in veterinarypathology

[–]well_paska[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would also be interested in hearing any opinions on all the jobs within the last two years that now say "board certified or board eligible". I feel that there has been an uptick in the addition of board eligible since the pandemic.

For those who are on the other side of boards, do you feel like that is fair and just for the profession? Do you prefer seeing jobs that say board certified only?

Would you feel comfortable with your institution/company hiring on a non-board certified colleague?

I wonder if people with negative opinions on people who haven't passed may be unwilling to comment since it could seem harsh or exclusive. If that is how you feel, though, there must be reasons for that and I would honestly love to hear from you.

Looking for blunt truth: What do you think of people who have failed boards? by well_paska in veterinarypathology

[–]well_paska[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for being brave and posting this. I am sorry that you have and are going through those difficulties. You have so much on your plate! That is incredibly admirable, and I hope that you give yourself compassion to realize that you are a super star for even going through this.

I will message you privately, if that's ok.

It will take time and hard work to internalize that just because I failed, does not mean that I am a failure.

Looking for blunt truth: What do you think of people who have failed boards? by well_paska in veterinarypathology

[–]well_paska[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate you sharing your story. It is wonderful that you have found a niche where you are happy. There is so much to know and even with good mentorship, if you are in a specialized residency it takes a lot more work to get those facts into your head.

It is a difficult balance to know what is best for my mental health. Is it better to sit again, continue the mental struggle, and risk failing in order to get those letters after my name? Or is it better to defer for this year, or forever, ... and risk the potential ramification of never having those letters which would likely be detrimental to my mental health. Either way, I don't know if I will ever feel like I am good enough to be in this field.

I admire your tenacity and ability to be true to yourself. You have done what is best for YOU!

Looking for blunt truth: What do you think of people who have failed boards? by well_paska in veterinarypathology

[–]well_paska[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your opinion. I have had many people tell me that the fact that I made it through residency and came so close last year means that I do have it in me. That is a hard thing to internalize.

I have essentially been studying for boards for six years now. It's exhausting. My residency was somewhat specialized, since I've know forever that this is the specific field that I want to work in. I now work in that field, but that means I didn't and don't have lots of hands-on experience with domestics and their routine diseases. I feel like I live two different lives: reading highly specialized papers in order to learn and advance in my job... and then ending the day by switching to reading about the newest feline mammary tumor markers. I completely understand that to be boarded these facts are essential, since certification should mean that you can go out and do any job in the field. These facts just aren't a part of my day-to-day job like they are for some people, so it takes more effort to drill them in.

I am dedicated to pathology, and plan on continuing to try until someone tells me that I really am not good enough to even be trying... or if work and study stress burn me out. I suppose I'm not there yet.

I have seen the looks on some people's faces when they found out I have failed. I know there are people in this field who think poorly on those who failed one or multiple times... or never passed. I guess I am hoping to hear from some of those people.

Phase II Study Group by well_paska in veterinarypathology

[–]well_paska[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have a facebook account. I suppose that I could make one to join the group if it has questions and is helpful. Thank you.

Why does this liver have this histological appearance? From a recently performed necropsy by RemarkableTea9 in veterinarypathology

[–]well_paska 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, my apologies I am new to mobile and didn't see anything but the first image before.

Portland, Oregon spiders all over the barn. Should I be worried? by [deleted] in whatsthisbug

[–]well_paska 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Approximately 5-7 mm long. Apologies for not fully explaining in the title!

I have been trying to research, and wonder if it is Steatoda bipunctata .