Today, one of my best friends from undergrad and vet school, a
fourth year named Melanie, takes the North American Veterinary
Licensing Exam (NAVLE), arguably the most important test in a
veterinarian's career. This is the test that, if you pass,
allows you to actually practice veterinary medicine. Spread
out over about a month in November and December, the fourth year
students are divided and assigned a date to take this day-long
test. Now, to be honest, I don't know the details of the
test-how long it is, how many sections, etc. I just know that
it covers everything I have been learning these past three years
and that I will be taking it in about one year from now. It
is the one part of fourth year I am not looking forward to.
Otherwise, I can't wait until I start my fourth year. For
those of you who don't know, the fourth year of veterinary school
takes place in the clinics. For the most part, there is no
classroom time, no lectures, no tests (well, besides the NAVLE) or
homework. Sure, I've heard that some rotations have
assignments or that you have to do some research once you get home,
but I would definitely take that compared to the past three years
of 8 to 5 class and labs, which doesn't really stop once you get
home (because then you have to study). Fourth year also has a
different schedule and timing than we are all used to. The
week after our third year final exams in the spring, we immediately
will start our fourth year, which is divided into 2 week
"rotations." Fourth years, well, rotate every two weeks into
a different department or service and work with the clinicians and
residents who specialize in that area. In other words, fourth
year is all about learning by doing, with real cases and real
outcomes. You get to be involved in the decision-making,
speak with clients and treat patients.
After 19 straight years of being in the classroom, I'm about
ready for something like fourth year. It's great having a
friend already in fourth year, too. She gives me the inside
scoop. To be honest, fourth year used to scare me to
death. I would think, "What do you mean, I'll be in the
clinics, acting like a vet? I don't know anything!" But
after talking with Melanie about her experiences and being able to
go to the clinics myself and see what the fourth years do, my fears
have definitely subsided. I'm still anxious, but most of that
energy is due to excitement and waiting for the unknown.
Because no matter what Melanie tells me about fourth year, I will
not actually know what it truly is like until I'm there myself.