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As far as I’m concerned, there is only one piece of advice a new grad needs: find a good, supportive, caring boss who is interested in mentoring their transition to practice. This is so much more valuable than salary or just about anything else. It could make the difference between staying in the profession and leaving it.
So do background checks – face value is important, but try to ask around, and talk to current and former staff if possible. It’s worth doing the homework.
Before you begin consulting/surgery, make sure you have a few hours to look around, see where things are kept, and spend a bit of time learning the practice software and billing system. You will feel more confident if you know where things are.
Go outside during your lunchbreak. Even if just to walk around the block. It helps recharge and reset your mind and you often have good ideas when you step away.
Don’t underestimate what you bring to the practice: a fresh set of eyes, enthusiasm, up to date knowledge and your own networks.
If you don’t know, say you don’t know, but you will find out, e.g. “I’m just going to run this past a senior colleague”, or “lets find that out together”.
When I coach people (not only vet grads) on finding the right workplace for them, I make the following suggestions (adjusted or vet grads):
That is. what are the most important aspects of your work environment that you cannot compromise on? Then assess a potential new employer and workplace on that basis.
If possible, ask to do a full day in a workplace as that gives you a much better idea about the culture of a workplace and the team dynamics; your potential future employer also benefits by knowing that their new team member will truly be a good fit for their business and team
What is your specific reason? And I don’t mean ‘ I love animals and want to help them’, as that applies to everyone who has studied veterinary medicine.
What’s your ‘Why’ for doing veterinary medicine? What drove you to become a veterinarian? Then look for a workplace that has the same ‘Why’ as you, the same passion and purpose.
This is important, as it relates to the core values that drive both you and the business you will be working for: if they are congruent, great, if not, over time, it will become a stressful place to be as you are not being authentic and honest with yourself, striving to fit into a place, rather than belonging based on shared values and purpose.
University provided you with the basic knowledge and grounding on which to build your future career; don’t be disheartened if you discover gaps in your knowledge and skills. Acknowledge them, and see them as growth opportunities, not failures! No one can know everything on their first day, week, month or even year out of uni! Your employer and other senior colleagues will have gained their knowledge, expertise and wisdom over many years of experience working in an industry you are just starting out. Don’t measure your own performance and level of knowledge against theirs. Take them as the inspiration for what is possible for you in the future
Show initiative! If you are unsure, go away and learn about it, and ask colleagues for input and advice. I know this is often difficult when the workdays are as busy as they are in veterinary practice. But I also know from my own experience supervising and mentoring students, that those that show initiative, i.e. they go away, they try to learn and understand, they gather information and think about it before they come and say: ‘This my question, this is what I found out about it, can you comment, can you help, where do I go from here?’ are those students I am always more than happy to spend extra time with.
It’s also ok to find out that the type of veterinarian you are currently working as is not you, after all. Nothing is ever a waste of time and effort! You have learned about yourself, and what does and does not work for you. Reflect on the experience, be honest with yourself (about your expectations, your own performance, your contribution to a situation, the direction you want to go in), then get out your compass, find your true north, again, and continue towards your goal. No road is ever straight!
A great workplace is one where you feel welcome and have a sense of belonging based on shared values and a shared passion and purpose. Where the leader demonstrates the values of the practice inspiring you to follow them while supporting you on your journey to becoming the kind of vet you have always envisaged yourself to be.
New graduates! Your future awaits, it’s your future though so make it how you want it to be.
Start by thinking about what you want, the type of patients, and the area in which you wish to work in. Think about the practices you did prac in and write down what you liked about each one and what you didn’t like.
When you have found a job advertisement that looks good to you, then look at their website and social media pages – are they backing up what they said in the ad, is there a careers page on their website?
Ask if there is a formal onboarding process and what training will they provide before you start. This is essential – do not be thrown in the deep end, ever!
Ensure that they will provide you with a vet mentor and get a commitment in writing with agreed-upon dates that you will formally meet to allow you to develop a good relationship and communication.
Clarify your working hours and after-hours commitment in writing.
Meet the rest of the team and spend a bit of time at the clinic feeling the culture.
Spend time thinking about the whole package on offer, not just the salary on offer and ask for the offer in writing.
At all times be respectful. Know that you have gifts to bring to the clinic, and they have gifts to share with you. Listen well.
Nurses want to be respected for their knowledge and experience. They can help you out tremendously.
There will be hard lessons and hard days, rest up when you can and know that it is worthwhile.
Rest when you can and when you need to.
I know that this is a lot of stuff, but your first year out can be tougher than it needs to be. We want you to love our profession as much as we do. We also want you to become the best vet that you want to be.
I look for a graduate who listens and acknowledges their limitations. One who will ask and get clarification before going into something they are not sure of.
I also see it as my responsibility to teach and support every one of my team and to be there for them when the chips are down. If I cannot be there, I’ll ensure that someone is.
And of course, I look for someone who is kind to our clients and their pets, each other and themselves.
This is a career, not your life. You cannot save every animal, no one can. Remember to look after yourself and your family and then you can bring your best self to your patients.
The AVA has a mentoring system and I find this a wonderful opportunity to stay in contact with graduates and be there for them on the tough days and also the celebratory days. Have someone you can reach out to.
You are going to be a fantastic vet. Take on the challenges, you know your stuff, now learn how to put it into practice!!
“Extracurricular activities and rest are important. Having time for loving relationships is also important, but working somewhere one finds fulfilling, engaging in problem solving, and having the sense that one is part of a worthwhile cause is also essential to human happiness.5 The resolution of the work-life balance debate has at its heart the wrong resolution; that more life equals more fulfillment. That’s not true. The road to happiness is mostly paved inside the borders of vocation, not vacation.
Veterinary work can be labor intensive, but it shouldn’t be laborious. It can be emotionally charged, but it shouldn’t be mentally incapacitating. Packed inside the grime, the toil, the tension, and the often-exasperating push and pull of group dynamics, is a sizable and obtainable core of fulfillment.6 If you’re not getting that from your employment in veterinary medicine, the answer is not more life, it’s a better way of accessing the support, organization, and teamwork necessary to find fulfillment in your work.”
Bash Harlow
When I think I feel tired, I've started paying attention to what I might really be feeling - and often - it's not tiredness! My brain has started doing this really annoying thing. Every time I do live podcasting at a big conference, it decides the night before the...
Before you begin consulting/surgery, make sure you have a few hours to look around, see where things are kept, and spend a bit of time learning the practice software and billing system. You will feel more confident if you know where things are.
Go outside during your lunchbreak. Even if just to walk around the block. It helps recharge and reset your mind and you often have good ideas when you step away.
Don’t underestimate what you bring to the practice: a fresh set of eyes, enthusiasm, up to date knowledge and your own networks.
If you don’t know, say you don’t know, but you will find out, e.g. “I’m just going to run this past a senior colleague”, or “lets find that out together”.
Thanks Anne for your excellent advice. I’ve also now included it in the body of the post so it won’t be missed!