I remember writing my first blog after my first week as a vet and now here I am almost 12 months in! There’s been a lot of ups and downs but on the whole, I am really happy working as a vet and am still learning lots of new things every day!

Immediate Diagnosis

One thing I’ve learnt is that you’re not going to have a diagnosis straight away… and actually you might never reach one! I used to panic a lot when I’d see a new case and not have an answer for the owner. But now I do have an answer,

“So I’m not sure yet why your animal is unwell, I think it could be X, Y or Z, so let’s do some tests and we can get some more information.”

Another very important thing to mention to the owner is that one test isn’t necessarily going to give you the answer but if it comes back normal it’s actually very useful information as it can rule X out. Making owners aware of what an investigation might involve and managing their expectations is absolutely key to avoiding complaints from frustrated clients who’ve spent hundreds of pounds already and now you want them to fork out for another test!! Communication, communication, communication!!!

Building trust

I’ve also learnt that clients trust you more when you tell them you don’t know something and make them feel like they’re getting a freebie… if you can grab  a colleague in for a second opinion it really helps them feel special.

“So Mrs Jones, you’re getting two vets for the price of one today!”

Everyone loves a bargain right?!

Practice life

A very challenging part of being a new graduate vet is introducing new ideas to a practice that has been doing something a certain way for years. Unless it’s something that’s going to negatively affect a patient, I would try and settle into a place first and then use a lot of tact and pick your timings when raising as issue! And make sure you have papers to back you up because sadly, people aren’t always convinced! This is another communication thing.

Surgery

Studying at vet school, I thought I’d be more of a medic than a surgeon..but of course the cases I learnt about at university were textbook cases. Hardly anything in real life is a textbook case. So actually, I’m really loving surgery! The anti-social part of me enjoys being in my quiet theatre, out the back away from the public! But I better not admit that…

Looking ahead – Certificate?

So what next?

I currently have no plans to leave my current practice as I really enjoy working with my team and I get the support I need. I have another year left on my new graduate programme which involves even more CPD than is needed and regular meet ups with my friends from vet school who are also on the scheme!

Some of my friends are doing internships, some are starting certificates and others (well only a couple) have, sadly, already left the profession. I think I’d enjoy doing a certificate but I still keep changing my mind about what I’d like to do it in.

I’m going to take my time and keep enjoying all aspects of working life for now!

If you, like our ‘New Graduate Vet’ are coming to the end of your first year in practice but are thinking of a change and would like to talk through your options please give our friendly Vet Team a call on 01423 813453 or email [email protected]

They can happily talk you through your current role and help you navigate your next steps to reach your career goals – alternatively you can look at the current vet role vacancies by clicking here