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Melissa Slaughter

Melissa Slaughter

PetPartners USA

Career Roadmap

Melissa's work combines: Medicine, Technology, and Problem Solving

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Day In The Life

Veterinary Nurse

I provide a wide range of nursing care to animals.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

    Person High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Veterinary Sciences/Veterinary Clinical Sciences, General

    Penn Foster College

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Veterinary Nurse:

Bachelor's Degree: Veterinary Sciences/Veterinary Clinical Sciences, General

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    My mother died in my junior year and I failed half of my classes

  • 2.

    I took twice the courseload the next semester to compensate for my failed classes

  • 3.

    I graduated high school (despite everyone doubting me) with a 3.7 GPA

  • 4.

    I had to drop out of college my second semester after trying to live in my car for a month when I lost housing aid

  • 5.

    I got a new job in a new field.

  • 6.

    I got promoted up to assistant manager at my new clinic

  • 7.

    I left my old job due to being mistreated and had to leave two other jobs for the same issue.

  • 8.

    I now work at a wonderful practice where everyone excels and treats others with respect.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Family:

    Why wouldn’t you want to be a doctor instead.

  • How I responded:

    Doctors serve a specific purpose, but being a nurse allows me to more closely connect with my patient and the other staff that I work with.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • I struggle everyday to pay my own way and have been working to provide for myself and my family since I was 16. I have been able to live and thrive on my own since I graduated high school. I found a great career and now live in a comfy home of my own