Imposter Syndrome? No—It’s just being human

If self-doubt sometimes takes hold and makes you question whether you belong in veterinary medicine, you’re not alone. It’s a common, human phenomenon that has been documented by research and is popularly—although erroneously—known as “Imposter Syndrome.”

A new AVMA resource explains why that name is problematic—and gives practical tips we all can use to address and reframe these feelings when we have them. Available on the My Veterinary Life website, it provides a pathway to change our thinking, individually and as a profession.

A key takeaway: Feelings of professional self-doubt are normal. They show that we care deeply about the work we do in the high-stakes field of veterinary medicine.

They’re also beliefs that we can learn to challenge, and help colleagues do the same—by recognizing and naming our feelings, and by talking about them with each other. 

This short video provides a summary:

Please take a few minutes to read this important new resource and share it with friends and colleagues: Feel Like an Imposter? That's Normal, Not a Syndrome.

And remember: You are not an imposter. You’re a caring and passionate professional navigating complex situations with integrity. You belong.