How To

Here you are, still relatively early in your veterinary career. You’re making it, not faking it nowadays. Still, every so often, there’s a curly medical situation, or a brief moment of self-doubt or you come across a more seasoned Vet, Nurse, or Tech who seems to have all the answers right at their fingertips. You don’t have “imposter syndrome” exactly, but you occasionally find yourself wondering how you will ever achieve that level of expertise…that combination of experience, grace, and talent that will one day fill you to overflowing with the confidence to deliver best-practice veterinary care, all day, every day. Fortunately, courtesy of a bubble in the space-time continuum, the experienced, talented, and confident future you has sent these gems of wisdom back for you to build on. So, heads up…

You already know that working as a veterinary professional is one of the most rewarding jobs there is. In fact, a 2020 study found that veterinarians, nurses, and veterinary technicians achieve much of their job satisfaction not from their paycheck, but from their pride in their work and the knowledge that they are making a positive contribution to the lives of others. The joy of saving a critically injured pet or discovering a treatable illness before it’s “too late” pushes veterinary professionals like you to give your job everything you have. However, it can be a real effort to keep your spirits up when you are constantly pushed to your limits and when the challenging days outnumber the good days. Occasional frustrations are inevitable, but frequent issues can quickly turn your dream job into a nightmare. So how do you know when it’s time to move on from a job that is no longer a good fit? Here are some significant hints…

Working in the veterinary industry, it’s probably safe to say that you really like (or even love) animals! Your passion and compassion are admired by so many. But sometimes things can be overwhelming, not just in clinical practice but in veterinary pharmaceuticals, agriculture, lab work and more. Before you decide to put your stethoscope away forever, before hanging up your veterinary nurse magic utility belt or switching off your microscope for all time…don’t go…the industry needs you. But maybe it’s time to consider a different angle. If you are in pharmaceuticals, perhaps it’s time to change to clinical practice, or if you are in private practice, maybe it’s time to consider a public veterinary health role. Whether you’re particularly detail-oriented or more focused on “the big picture”; wanting to flex your science brain or your creative side; an intellectual problem-solver or a nurturer; or seeking a sociable daily working hub or a quiet office environment where you can focus, there’s likely a veterinary job to meet your ideal career and work-life balance needs. So whether you are a veterinarian, veterinary nurse, or technician or just love working with animals, here are a few of the many ways you can still work within the veterinary industry…

According to the Collins Dictionary, to “drop a clanger” is to do or say something stupid or embarrassing. Hey, we’ve all dropped our fair share of clangers, and it’s OK not to be perfect at work or in life! However, as a veterinary locum, we’d recommend actively avoiding a few common pitfalls of practice so you can work safely, professionally, and effectively. Here are five things you shouldn’t do as a veterinary locum…

Whether you’re a fresh-out-of-university graduate Vet, an experienced Emergency Veterinary Surgeon with decades of expertise, or a Vet Nurse or Technician with oodles of practical knowledge, when it comes time to make your next career step, your Resume must include these 6 critical elements. Just like any form of advertising, you only have about three seconds to engage your audience and get them to explore further, so your Resume has a lot of work to do in a very short time. Including these 6 key components will help you clarify your approach, ensure that you focus on your key skills and accomplishments, and craft a CV that will make sure you stand out from the crowd…

Veterinarians, Veterinary Nurses, and Veterinary Technicians are drawn to locum relief work for a wide variety of reasons. Some individuals want to focus on maximizing income, while others want to maximize flexibility and work-life balance. Regardless of what draws you to relief medicine, it’s important to ensure that you are running your relief business in a way that reflects what you hope to get out of the profession. Consciously evaluating your business strategy is not only important for vets, nurses, and vet techs that are new to the locum relief world, but also for those who have been in the veterinary relief field for years. Thinking consciously about your business will ensure that your locum relief career is working for you. Locum relief work is often recognized as a source of better pay, reduced work stress, and the ability to set your own schedule, but these benefits don’t come automatically. Learn how to maximize the benefits of locum work, while minimizing relief-related headaches…

Veterinary professionals are naturally type-A empathetic individuals, aspiring to make life better for both pets and pet parents by providing excellent care. So yes, achieving a work-life balance that allows you to thrive is every veterinary professional’s goal, but many don’t notice that things are off-kilter until it is nearly too late. It’s time for an Intervention. We approached veterinarians, veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians, and hospital managers from our global community for their advice and their practical, tactical tips to get you started on re-establishing your own work-life balance. Here are their 7 top tips…

Some Locum Relief Veterinarians, Nurses, and Veterinary Technicians operate without a written Contract, making all of their work agreements and arrangements verbally. It certainly isn’t the best idea, but if it is just occasional work that can be sufficient. Eventually, though, a situation is likely to arise where you will wish you had a Contract. Taking the time to draft a simple, plain English Contract helps formalize the nature of the relationship, pre-empts any potential misunderstandings, and is mutually beneficial for all Parties concerned. So, whether you are a seasoned Locum Relief Veterinary Professional or just starting out, our Locum Relief Contract checklist is a great place to start…