New ER Doctor (NERD) Program: Starts January 2026, Practicing Veterinarians – Madison, WI

ABOUT VEG

In 2014, VEG was born with a mission to help people and their pets when they need it most.This meant challenging the status quo and fixing everything that was wrong with the ER experience. Since then, we’ve expanded rapidly, with hospitals nationwide open 24/7, 365 days a year, and created a better emergency experience—not only for people and their pets, but also for everyone who works here—our VEGgies!

At VEG we find a way to say yes to the career you want in veterinary emergency medicine. This means transforming how ER works, from our open-concept hospitals, where you can handle emergency cases of every kind (even exotics!) to our immersive, customer-focused experience, which helps us give people and their pets the care they deserve.

This also means saying yes to creating the best experience possible for our VEGgies. Yes to working in an environment where you can find your place and feel valued for the amazing work you do. Yes to having unparalleled opportunities for learning and mentorship so you can grow where you want to go in your career. And yes to making an impact here in ways you never thought possible.

THE PROGRAM

The VEG New ER Doctor (NERD) program is designed to transform practicing non-emergency veterinarians into exceptional, confident VEG ER doctors. This six-month deep dive into the action of emergency is a structured, immersive program like no other that allows participants to transition into full-time ER doctors at VEG after successful completion. Integrating academic and clinical teachings with individualized mentorship, this program fuels a passion for ER and creates a deeper meaning around life-saving veterinary heroics. If you’re hungry to learn how to do ER, perform surgeries, advance your endoscopy skills, learn about exotics, and discover the unique rewards of customer-focused care in an open concept hospital, we want to find a way to say yes to training you in our NERD program.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• It’s a mentorship program, not an internship! Too often, mentorship is promised but not delivered. When you’re part of the NERD program, you never go it alone in the ER and are supported through guidance and 1:1 feedback from experienced VEG doctors.
• New ER Doctors (a.k.a. NERDS!) get up-close, firsthand ER experience, collaborating with and learning from top emergency doctors and specialists during 3-4 hospital shifts per week (days, swings, and nights), as well as through weekly case discussions, literature reviews, and hands-on training at state-of-the-art facilities.

What CE experiences can you expect to attend during the program?

From hands-on training to weekly didactic learning, NERD program participants earn over 160 RACE-approved CE hours in just six months—which takes most doctors 10 years to complete! Some CE highlights include:

• Abdominal, thoracic and cardiac point-of care ultrasound
• Exotic companion animals in the ER
• Flexible GI endoscopy
• Small animal emergency surgery
• Small animal critical care lab
• RECOVER ALS and BLS Rescuer CPR certification

All paid for by VEG!

WHAT YOU NEED

• A passion for helping others
• A valid DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree
• Be a practicing veterinarian for 1+ years
• A desire to live and breathe emergency medicine
• A valid license to practice veterinary medicine, as well as a valid DEA registration in the state you will be completing your program by your start date
• Ability to stand for prolonged hours, kneel, and work on the floor, as well as ability to lift up to 25 kg on own and able to support up to 40 kg with assistance.
• Must be willing to work in a noisy environment with strong or unpleasant odors.
• Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating or as needed basis based on hospital demands.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment with people from all backgrounds and different personality types.
• Ability to commit to a predetermined schedule for a consecutive six-month period
• Please note: Once you apply, you will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of one to two references. Please make them aware that we’ll be sending them a letter of recommendation questionnaire through a platform called RefApp.
• Please also note: Relocation for the NERD program may be required. All New ER Doctor graduates are guaranteed a spot at VEG as an emergency doctor at a hospital location of our choosing upon successful completion of the program in the required time frame and passing all required program competencies and benchmarks. Training and post-placement will be discussed with your talent manager.

HOW WE INVEST IN YOU

• Competitive compensation + benefits
• 160+ hours of RACE-approved CE during your six-month program and a BIG focus on learning and growth, from VEG-created clinical and leadership programs to unlimited ER CE + travel stipend (No really!)
• Equity ownership, so you can share in our growth and success
• No non-competes: Everyone should be free to choose where they work
• Student Loan Repayment (after your 1st year with VEG)
• Free exams and 50% off VEG Treatments Pet Bereavement Leave
• Clinical student loan repayment so you don’t need to worry about your student debt
• Paid parental leave, up to 10 weeks at 100% of regular salary
• Flexible work schedules to support your life outside of work
• Generous referral reward program, so our awesome people can bring in more awesome people
• And the little (big) things, like comfy scrubs, cool VEG swag, and food in the fridge for when you’re hungry

DEI

At VEG, diversity is not just a word—it’s a strength that fuels innovation and compassion. Our mission is “Helping people and their pets when they need it most”. And we do that better when our VEGgies (employees) feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. That’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment that reflects the diverse communities we serve—where different perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated.

We are committed to providing equitable opportunities for growth, promoting inclusive decision-making, and ensuring that every voice is heard. Saying yes to VEG means helping us build a culture where your unique experiences and background contribute to a shared vision: being the world’s veterinary emergency company.

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