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I could definitely list more than 20 tips but these are a good start.
Write down a list of questions you may have, write down the name of your workplace supervisor and take notes of any important instructions given to you during your Induction or Orientation period.
Write down any important drug doses, calculations, fluid rates or product names that you may need to refer to on a regular basis. Think of this as your student cheat sheet!
This includes a spare pair of shoes, socks, and underwear! Yes, I have been soaked through by chocolate vomit….be prepared!
Always remember that we all have a common goal. Whether you are qualified or a student nurse; at the end of the day, we all want to be able to end our shifts knowing we have completed all our jobs, taken care of all our patients and most of all taken care of each other. Even if it’s not your ‘job’…. help whenever, wherever you can!
Some nurses get into veterinary medicine thinking they can avoid interacting with clients, but I’m afraid they’re a little more difficult to avoid than you think and you’re going to have to interact with them on a daily basis. You’re also probably going to have to have some uncomfortable conversations with them. Don’t avoid it. Listen to how your colleagues handle different situations and learn from them. There are also some great short courses and workshops out there to help if needed.
Don’t ever feel bad for asking too many questions. There are better times than others to ask these questions so be sure to time them appropriately, but always ask them! Questions can show that you are interested and want to be involved in your own learning and as trainers, we LOVE to teach those who are interested in listening and learning.
I’m not going to lie; some days are going to suck. There are days when equipment just won’t work properly, or you run out of drugs/medications. Days when it feels like every client is yelling at you for something out of your control or you’re assisting with euthanasia and you just can’t catch a break. Some days your team might not feel like a team at all. We all have bad days but always aim to re-group at the end of each shift and try to have a better day tomorrow!
Everybody makes mistakes. We are human after all and it is inevitable that minor or major, you will likely make a mistake in your student career and beyond. Take ownership of those mistakes and treat every single one of them like the learning experiences they are.
I occasionally have students ask me how I’ve managed to get used to assisting with euthanasias. My answer is that I haven’t and I will never expect to either. Every single one of them still affects me on a deep, personal level. Sometimes I’m just better at managing those emotions than others, so it looks like I have myself together. We often have to be the strong ones for our clients in their weakest moments, but that doesn’t mean we care any less.
Vets and vet nurses work long hours. That is one certainty in this line of work. Remember that just because it says on your hospital door or your website that you close at 6 pm, doesn’t always mean that’s when you get to go home. Pets don’t wait to get sick or injured during our opening hours so when required, you may need to stay back and assist your team. In saying that, if you are routinely being requested to stay back, ensure you are added to a rotating roster to ensure you are also getting the rest you deserve and the time to re-boot!
Mel was born in South Africa and always knew she needed to work with animals one day. She volunteered at a local Vet clinic as soon as she was able and fell even more in love with the profession. When she was 16 her family moved halfway across the world to Australia where she completed her schooling and immediately (2 weeks after her final exams) signed on to a clinic as a trainee Vet Nurse and began her nursing studies! She hasn't stopped learning since and is incredibly excited by the future of Vet Nursing and all the things she has yet to learn and share! Follow Mel on Instagram @vetnursediary_mel
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Practical tools to help veterinary teams improve palliative and end-of-life care for patients, clients and themselves. Providing exceptional end of life care benefits not only patients and clients, but also supports the wellbeing and confidence of veterinary teams....
