Let’s be honest—most of us didn’t go into veterinary medicine for the money. We went in because we love animals, thrive under pressure, and have a deep drive to help. But somewhere between the back-to-back appointments, procedures, squeeze ins, drop offs, missed lunches, and emotional cases, that passion can get buried under exhaustion and resentment.
Burnout is real. And it’s one of the biggest reasons veterinary technicians leave the field entirely.
This blog isn’t about toxic positivity or telling you to just “take a bubble bath.” It’s about naming the reality of vet tech burnout, understanding where it comes from, and offering tools that actually help, whether you’re in your first year or your fifteenth year.
What Burnout Looks Like for Veterinary Technicians
Burnout in vet med is more than just feeling tired. It’s a chronic mix of:
- Emotional exhaustion (especially after tough cases)
- Feeling unappreciated or replaceable
- Physical fatigue, headaches, or insomnia
- Lack of motivation—even for things you used to love
- Irritability, withdrawal from coworkers, or detachment from patients
Many techs experience compassion fatigue, a type of secondary trauma from constantly caring for patients and clients in distress. Over time, this wears on your ability to stay emotionally connected and present.
Why Vet Tech Burnout Happens — And It’s Not Your Fault
Burnout isn’t a personal weakness. It’s often a systemic problem. Some of the most common root causes include:
- Understaffed clinics where techs take on 3+ roles at once
- Lack of training or CE opportunities that keep you growing and learning
- No recognition for hard work or clinical skill
- Low pay, long hours, or unpredictable shifts
- Working beyond your comfort zone without proper mentorship
In dental procedures, especially, techs are often thrown into tasks like radiographs, charting, anesthesia monitoring, or even assisting with nerve blocks, without formal training. That pressure adds up. When speaking to technicians, I have gained the realization that techs are also put in the position of learning to do extractions and suture. According to the AVDC, extraction of teeth is oral surgery and should be performed by a licensed veterinarian, and yet technicians are still being put in the position to do this and do the best they can with very limited training.
You can read the entire AVDT extraction position statement here AVDT Extraction Position Statement
What Actually Helps (Beyond Just “Taking a Day Off”)
Here are tools that help real vet techs stay in the field—and thrive:
1. Invest in Continuing Education (That You Actually Care About)
When you learn something new, it reconnects you with why you chose this field in the first place. CE focused on advanced skills like dental radiographs, nerve blocks, and anesthesia support gives you more control in your role, and more value to your clinic.
Not sure where to start?
Our Veterinary Dentistry for Technicians and Assistants course is RACE-approved, hands-on, and created by a vet tech, for vet techs if dentistry is an area you want to grow in.
2. Set Boundaries at Work
This is easier said than done, but it’s essential. Saying “no” to extra shifts, stepping away for breaks, and not bringing work stress home are vital for longevity.
3. Find (or Help Create) a Culture That Supports You
If your clinic doesn’t value technician contributions—or you’re not even invited to CE—you deserve better. Advocate for growth opportunities, regular feedback, and peer mentorship. If you’re in a leadership role, make this part of your culture.
4. Connect With Techs Who Get It
Burnout thrives in isolation. Share stories, follow educational pages, and attend CE events. Surrounding yourself with other techs who are honest and solution-focused is one of the best ways to stay motivated.
5. Watch for the Signs
Catching burnout early can prevent long-term damage. Take inventory:
- Have you lost interest in your work?
- Are you emotionally checked out or irritable?
- Is your sleep or physical health affected?
If the answer is yes, don’t wait. Reach out to someone or take the next step to change something—even if it’s small.
What Clinics Can Do to Prevent Vet Tech Burnout
If you’re in a management or leadership role, know this: investing in your techs pays off. Technician turnover is expensive, both financially and culturally.
Here’s what clinics can do to help:
- Invest in CE (especially skill-building courses like dentistry or anesthesia)
- Offer clear career pathways and recognition for advanced training
- Encourage feedback and open conversations about workload
- Involve techs in clinical decisions—they’re your frontline experts
- Prioritize appropriate staffing and fair compensation
Vet techs aren’t just assistants. They’re surgical nurses, anesthetists, radiographers, client educators, and more. Treat them like the professionals they are.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you care.
You’re not failing. You’re doing your best to survive in a system that needs work.
But there are things you can do to reconnect with the part of you that started this journey. Sometimes it’s as simple as learning something new, finding a support network, or stepping into a role that challenges you, in a good way.
If you’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure of your future in this field, take the next small step. Maybe it’s reaching out to a peer. Maybe it’s signing up for that CE you’ve been eyeing.
Whatever it is, just don’t give up.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (06/18/2025) Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay