Even during the challenging times, I still really love our veterinary profession.
The past two weeks have been particularly challenging for me clinically, with a large number of complicated medical cases – the majority of which all had guarded prognoses. It has been a couple of weeks of sad outcomes, tough decisions and very emotional and difficult conversations, but despite the rough days (and sleepless nights), I still love my job. And I still really love our veterinary profession.
Here are three (of many) reasons why:
I love veterinary medicine because it can take you anywhere you want to go in the world.
There is a reason our qualifications are fondly referred to as a veterinary passport. Whether you want to spend your early career in the UK or Europe, undertake specialty training in the USA, or do voluntary work on a tropical island – they are all 100% possible, thanks to the profession we have chosen.
I love veterinary medicine because of the special bonds we form.
Whether these are with our team (who so often become our ‘second’ family), or our clients, the job we do somehow unites us in a really unique way. Our team often sees us at our best, but occasionally they will also see us at our worst or most vulnerable. Our shared experiences create a deep sense of camaraderie and trust, that I feel would be pretty hard to find in other industries.
I love veterinary medicine because it is work that truly matters.
Every single day, we do something that tangibly improves the lives of our patients. We have the power to heal and reduce (or end) suffering. I know it sounds cheesy, but honestly, what a gift! What we do each day really does have a positive and profound impact on our clients and our community, and whilst we continue to be faced with a number of significant challenges, the highs really do outweigh the lows.
Now it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you!
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