Confessions of a New Graduate Vet: Things about the job that stress me out and how I cope with them
Consultation Times
At my current practice, we have ten-minute slots for our consults. I would strongly recommend that when you look for a job that you pick one with a minimum of fifteen minutes! The number of times a ‘quick’ vaccine appointment turns into discussing a dermatology work-up…..It’s simply not enough time for us to do a proper job and as a graduate vet, it can lead to lots of stress!
What I do now is try and look ahead in the diary and make appointments ‘doubles’ or block off time further down the consult list to catch up when I can for-see a consult being a long one. For example a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a heart murmur that is struggling to breathe (and likely in heart failure) is not going to take you ten minutes!
A Waiting Room Full of Clients
As a vet, you will often find yourself running behind. It’s just inevitable with the nature of our job. You have your routine appointments booked in but most likely you will have emergencies or sick animals that have to be fitted in somewhere too! I used to get really stressed about running behind and clients getting annoyed with the waiting times. What I have trained myself to do now is give all my attention to the client and patient I have in the room and block out what’s happening on the other side of the door. They can tell if you’re trying to rush them out and I also feel like I haven’t done my job properly if I don’t discuss things with them thoroughly.
I find that if you thank them for waiting as you greet them, most people understand. I sometimes pop out and announce to the room that there is a waiting time and apologise for this and tell them I will get to them as soon as I can. I think if people are told there is a delay then they are usually okay. It’s when they aren’t informed that they may feel they have been forgotten about!
Reporting Blood Results
It seems silly, but I do dread phoning owners who have spent money on a blood test that has come back as all normal. It’s good when they are routine bloods, but when an owner is looking for a diagnosis and has spent a hundred or so pounds, I always worry they’ll see it as a waste of money and refuse to do more tests.
Generally, most people react well to this as long as you have explained to them before hand that it is often not the case that we get a diagnosis from one test. I try to explain that we have a long list of differentials and this particular test will help to rule something in or out. And ruling something out can be very useful to us! Manage their expectations at the beginning and tell them that it can take a number of tests before we know what’s going on. It is a jigsaw for which we need to collect more pieces!
We do work in a profession where suicide rates are four times higher than the national average. For this reason, it is so important that we recognise what causes us stress and try to minimise it where possible. I find that doing other activities outside of work helps to take my mind off work and to switch off before bed.
If you are struggling with mental health then www.vetlife.org.uk is an excellent confidential advice service that provides support to the veterinary community.
If you’re looking for a new Vet role why not get in touch with one of our team on 01423 813453 , or you can email them at [email protected].
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