Continuing Education for Veterinarians

Staying current with the latest trends and research in veterinary medicine is crucial for practitioners, regardless of when they graduate from vet school. The veterinary medicine field changes at a nearly neck-breaking pace, and what was common knowledge yesterday may be woefully outdated now.

Whether you’re a veterinarian, vet tech, or general practice manager, you’ll find much to love about vet continuing education. Below, you’ll learn about the perks of attending veterinary CE events and what you can expect from continuing education conferences.

Understanding Vet Continuing Education

How would you like to learn more about animal rehabilitation, toxicology, ophthalmology, and other specialties from industry thought leaders? By attending CE courses, you can do all of that and more.

Vet CE has so many benefits that it’s tough to know where to begin. Attending a CE event will teach you about the latest advancements in animal health and behavior. You can put your newfound knowledge to use to improve outcomes for your furry patients.

Additionally, you may be required to complete CE to fulfill certain legal and licensing requirements in your state. If you want to stay in the good graces of regulatory agencies, attending CE courses is a must.

CE courses in endocrinology, anesthesiology, orthopedics, and gastroenterology are held at conference centers nationwide. These learning events feature drop-in lectures, hands-on workshops, and reviews of the latest research articles penned by veterinary professionals.

If you can’t attend a CE course in person, that’s not a problem. Many conferences are available virtually on demand so that you can access courses on nutrition, diagnostics, parasitology, imaging, or dermatology anytime. This allows you to earn CE credit on your schedule. It’s the perfect learning solution to suit your busy life and practice.

Why Vet CE Is Essential for Veterinary Professionals

As mentioned above, CE learning is essential for any veterinarian or vet tech. By attending a live webinar, conference, or on-demand learning session, you’ll gain the skills to improve health outcomes for animal patients.

Vet CE also offers ample networking opportunities for you and your team. Attending such events can create lasting relationships with other pros who will support you throughout your career.

Key Components of Effective Vet Continuing Education Programs

Choosing the right learning event is critical if you’re ready to earn CE credit. Here’s what to look for:

• Learning sessions should be relevant to your practice and your specialty.
• Look for classes that are RACE-approved. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) ensures uniform standards for CE programs.
• Good programs should offer ample resources, such as access to articles for learning and hands-on sessions with industry leaders.

Opportunities in Vet Continuing Education for Veterinary Technicians

Like veterinarians, vet techs must keep their skills fresh with CE programs. These programs enable you to earn certifications in various specialties, including:

• Critical care
• Dentistry
• Nutrition
• Laboratory animal medicine
• Equine nursing
• Zoological medicine

You can visit the AAVSB website to search for approved vet tech CE programs online and in your area.

Choosing the Right Vet CE Program

You’ll find dozens of animal health learning events and live webinars, but which course is most worth your time? Whether you specialize in internal medicine or large animal health, here’s how to pick a good event:

• Choose events and live webinars that are relevant to your practice. Some cover a wide range of specialties, while others are focused on equine or small animal care. Many learning programs offer tips on practice management as well.
• Select programs that are RACE-approved to ensure a top-notch learning experience.
• Check out reviews from program attendees. This helps you to evaluate the program’s quality and course material.
• Consider the cost of the program. Many programs are free or heavily discounted for students and vet techs. If you’re a veterinarian, costs can range from $500 to over $1,000.
• Consider the program’s location. Many programs are held in major cities like Fort Worth, St. Louis, and New York City. Are you willing to travel? If not, does the program provide access to learning opportunities through virtual sessions? Can you gain progress toward credit completion on your own time?

If you’re up for a flight or road trip, attending a vet conference is one of the best ways to earn CE credit. Top conferences in 2024 include:

• American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum 2024 (June 6-8, 2024, Minneapolis, MN)
• American Veterinary Medical Association Convention (June 21-24, 2024, Austin, TX)
• VetGIRL U (June 27-30, 2024, New Orleans, LA)
• International Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Symposium (September 7-11, 2024, St. Louis, MO)
• Southwest Veterinary Symposium (September 26-29, 2024, Fort Worth, TX)

Can’t attend in person? No problem. These conferences offer drop-in virtual sessions, which you can check out at leisure.

Weave: The Practice Management Software Your Whole Team Will Love

Vet continuing education is a fantastic way to keep your skills fresh and gain in-demand certifications. It also allows you to create relationships with industry leaders and fellow vets.

Looking for more ways to improve your vet business? You’ll adore Weave. This software features online appointment scheduling, bill payment, review management, and everything else you’ll need to keep your office running smoothly.

Contact us to get your free demo of Weave and see how we can streamline your practice.