Something Has Shifted in Veterinary Medicine
Over the past several years, a growing number of experienced DVMs have made the move from full-time associate positions to relief work. Not because they burned out and needed an exit, but because they looked at what relief work offered and decided it was the better arrangement. Here are the five reasons that come up most often.
The Five Reasons
The pay is competitive. Relief DVMs in Washington and Oregon earn daily rates that often exceed their previous full-time salary when calculated on a per-hour basis. Working three to four days per week and earning more than full-time is a reality for many YNV relief vets, not an exception.
The schedule is genuinely theirs. No mandatory meetings. No coverage guilt. No being asked to stay late without warning. You set your availability and work the shifts you choose.
The clinical variety keeps them sharp. Working across multiple clinic types and patient populations prevents the skill stagnation that comes from seeing the same caseload in the same building for years.
The bureaucracy disappears. No performance reviews tied to upsell metrics. No internal politics. You show up, you practice good medicine, you go home.
The support is real. YNV matches you to clinics that fit your style, handles the administrative side, and advocates for you as a professional. You are not navigating this alone.
The Common Thread
Every experienced DVM who makes this move says some version of the same thing: they wish they had done it sooner. Not because full-time practice is bad, but because they did not realize how much the structure of it was costing them until they stepped outside of it.
Ready to take the next step?
If you are an experienced DVM who is curious what relief work actually looks like, reach out to Your Neighbor Vet. We work with veterinarians and we will give you a straight picture of what to expect. Call or text 425-448-8882 or visit yourneighborvet.com.
Related reading: Vet Tech Week: LVTs and Relief Work, Your Options Explained · How Much Can You Earn as a Relief DVM in Washington or Oregon?