Feel Like an Imposter as a New Veterinarian? That’s Normal, Not a Syndrome

Feeling uncertain? Questioning your place in veterinary medicine? Worried about being judged? These feelings are normal—and there are actions we can take to address them.

You're Normal—Not Broken!

Whether directly or indirectly, many of us have been taught to treat self-doubt and anything less than perfection as a personal flaw, something to fix or hide. But uncertainty, feelings of inadequacy, and fear of being judged aren't a syndrome. They're part of being human. In fact, up to 82% of people report they sometimes feel this way.¹

Can you relate to any of the following?

• Fear of inadequacy: "If I don't know the answer, it means I'm not good enough. I don't belong here."
• Fear of being exposed or judged: "I'm not as good as they think I am, and it's only a matter of time before they find out."
• Self-reliance as a survival strategy: "Asking for help is a sign of weakness."

These aren't signs of brokenness. They're signs that you care—about doing well, being accepted, and showing up with integrity in a field where people and patients are depending on you. They're also beliefs that you can learn to challenge.

Let's Avoid the "Imposter Syndrome" Label

These feelings are commonly referred to as "Imposter Syndrome," but that's actually a problematic label—and one that's best avoided. Why?

First of all, the term came from a 1978 study of high-achieving women,² but the original authors called it a "phenomenon," not a "syndrome." The distinction is important because "syndrome" sounds like a diagnosis—as if something is wrong with you. Accordingly, most of the advice we hear focuses on "fixing" the individual: "Be more confident." "Lean in." "Toughen up."

The truth is more complex. It's not only about our individual mindsets; our environment matters, too. These feelings are magnified for those who operate in high-stakes fields like veterinary medicine.

Changing Your Approach: Practical strategies

Here are practical actions we can take to reframe and navigate these feelings of self-doubt.

Name the feeling

Start by acknowledging your feelings—and make sure they're actually feelings. Say, "I'm feeling nervous" or "I feel overwhelmed," not "I am nervous or overwhelmed." Saying "I am" makes the emotion an identity, while "I feel" recognizes it as a temporary state that will pass.

Also, what we often call a "feeling" is really a belief. For example, "I feel like I'm not good enough" isn't a feeling. You can find other examples of feelings versus thoughts and beliefs here.

Why does this matter? Because labeling real emotions calms the amygdala and brings the prefrontal cortex back online. This gives us space to respond—instead of react." ^3–5

Share

Talk about your feelings with a trusted peer. Most people have felt this way, but silence keeps us isolated. Naming it aloud and opening up to a trusted colleague helps build connection and psychological safety. Asking for help isn't a weakness; it's a sign of strong, healthy relationships and teams.

Practice as a team

Hold practice sessions with your workplace team, or with friends and colleagues, to teach yourself to use a growth-based inner dialogue that rewires your default reaction.

Shift from: "I'm a fraud" To:

"This is hard because it's new."
"I'm inexperienced—not incapable."
"I'm not failing—I'm learning."
"Feeling unsure about whether I'm ready doesn't mean I'm not cut out for this—it means I care about getting it right."

Doing this in a group setting can aid in normalizing this new way of thinking—helping individuals learn to change their phrasing and helping colleagues practice supporting each other with reminders to rephrase and reset our approach when needed.

Remember: You are not an imposter. You're a developing professional navigating real complexity. These feelings don't make you less capable; they make you authentic. You don't need to prove you're enough. You already are.

References

1. Bravata DM, Watts SA, Keefer AL, et al. Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: A systematic review. J Gen Intern Med. 2020;35(4):1252-1275. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1
2. Clance PR, Imes SA. The impostor phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychother Theor Res Pract. 1978;15(3):241-247. doi: 10.1037.h0086006
3. Levy-Gigi E, Shamay-Tsoory S. Affect labeling: The role of timing and intensity. PLoS One. 2022; 17(12):e0279303. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279303
4. Yoshimura S, Shimomura K, Onoda K. Diminished negative emotion regulation through affect labeling and reappraisal: insights from functional near-infrared spectroscopy on lateral prefrontal cortex activation. BMC Psychol. 2024;12(1):613. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-02103-y
5. Sun S, Yu H, Yu R, Wang S. Functional connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex underlies processing of emotion ambiguity. Transl Psychiatry. 2023;13(1):334. doi: 10.1038/s41398-023-02625-w