🚦 Is it Time to Change your Veterinary Job? Know the signs

It’s not just a job, it’s your calling…but sometimes, change is necessary

We get it – working as a veterinary professional is more than just a job for you. It’s a calling. A 2020 study found that 85% of veterinary professionals derive their job satisfaction, not from your paycheck, but from the impact you make on both animal and human lives. But what happens when that calling starts to feel like a burden…

Find your next job…the Fresh Way

The Rewarding Yet Challenging Nature of Veterinary Work

You’re in this field because you love it. You get to watch puppies and kittens grow into strong adult pets, and you form deep bonds with pets and their owners. The joy of saving a critically injured animal or diagnosing a treatable illness before it’s too late is incomparable.

Making a difference in the lives of animals and their families has always been my dream. But when that dream started to feel like a nightmare, I knew something had to change – Dr. Emily S, a veterinarian with 10 plus years of experience

The Flip Side: When the Job Takes Its Toll

However, let’s face it – veterinary medicine can be emotionally draining and physically exhausting. According to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1 in 6 veterinarians has considered suicide. That’s a sobering statistic we are all too familiar with, and that underscores the mental toll this profession can take – explore Not One More Vet for more about transforming mental wellness in the profession.

The Reality Check: It’s Still a Job

You have bills to pay and a life to live outside the clinic. You also have professional standards to maintain, which can be challenging when you’re not the one setting the rules.

When to Consider Moving On

So, how do you know when it’s time to look for a new opportunity? Here are some signs…

Limited Growth Opportunities

• Veterinary medicine is a rapidly evolving field, with new treatments and diagnostic tools emerging almost daily. If your current role doesn’t allow you to grow professionally, it might be time to move on.

I felt stuck in my last job. They were using outdated practices and weren’t open to new ideas. Changing jobs was the best career decision I’ve ever made – Sarah G, Veterinary Nurse

Compromised Patient Care

• Your skills are valuable, but they’re wasted if your team isn’t on the same page. If lapses in patient care are affecting your professional reputation and self-esteem, consider making a change.

Toxic or Abusive Environments

• Life’s too short to work in a toxic environment. If you’re facing constant negativity, it’s a sign you need to leave.

Burnout Signs

• If you’re daydreaming about missing work or calling in sick when you’re perfectly healthy, it’s a red flag. Burnout affects 1 in 3 veterinary professionals, so you’re not alone.

Your Skills Are In Demand

The good news? You’re a hot commodity in the job market. The demand for skilled veterinarians, nurses, and technicians has been consistently strong, offering you a variety of career options to choose from. You have a LOT of options, in-practice as well as non-clinical.

You Deserve Happiness

You’ve invested time, effort, and emotion into your career. You genuinely deserve the chance to enjoy everything that you have worked towards and to have the work-life balance that you have earned.

In Conclusion…

It’s okay to prioritize yourself. About 23% of veterinary professionals change jobs annually – that’s 1 in 5, so we’re not exactly job-hoppers – you won’t be the first or the last to change your veterinary job. Maybe it’s time to take the first step toward finding a job that makes you truly happy.

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