Congratulations, Doctor! You’ve finished vet school and landed a job after that nerve-wracking interview. Now comes the challenging part – learning to be an “adult” and making clinical decisions without a resident questioning your reasoning during rounds.
Being a new graduate vet isn’t as daunting as you might imagine. While stepping into clinical practice as a veterinary professional for the first time can feel intimidating, this is when concepts from lectures truly start to click. Although it feels strange not being a student any more, you’ll get into the rhythm after seeing a few cases, and your efficiency will naturally improve.
Preparing for work
If you’re anything like me, you love to be prepared for every situation that might walk into your consultation room. I’ve always been told that common conditions are common – don’t expect to see a myasthenia gravis case on your first day. So, take a deep breath as you already have the tools in order to figure out the answer.
I’ve always been told that common conditions are common – don’t expect to see a myasthenia gravis case on your first day
Be sure to ask the team what vaccines they use and whether they have any onboarding information for new staff to help you get a head start. It’s especially useful to review their vaccine schedules and parasite protocols as each practice may differ slightly.
During my first three months of work, I quickly learned which lecture notes I kept referring to and which resources I needed close to hand. For me, the essentials are the MiniVet Guide, a differentials textbook and most importantly, my colleagues.
Your first week
My first week included mandatory health and safety training and shadowing a vet during consultations. To learn the computer system, I took on the role of scribe and handled billing while my colleague performed the consult. The client care team was incredibly helpful, booking me only for booster appointments (and checking that clients had no additional concerns). Although the first week went well, the combination of anxiety and stress left me with a cold. My scheduled day off was perfect timing for some much-needed rest and recuperation.
Acting the part
By now, you may have seen many different consulting styles. I view consulting as a performance – even if you’re introverted, think of it as “putting on a show” where you give your best. So, do not underestimate how tiring a whole day of consults can be! You’ll naturally develop your own consulting style, incorporating useful techniques you’ve observed from other vets during your placements.
I believe clients appreciate my honesty when I’m not entirely certain about something. Remember, we don’t always need immediate answers
As I gain experience, I’m becoming more confident about asking owners if I can quickly consult a colleague for a second opinion (after all, who doesn’t love getting two vets for the price of one?). So far, no one has objected – I believe clients appreciate my honesty when I’m not entirely certain about something. Remember, we don’t always need immediate answers. Sometimes I follow up with clients by email after doing more research, and they’re often grateful for this thorough approach.
Tips from three months in
Write down your potential next steps in your clinical notes if a patient doesn’t improve (I love it when my colleagues do this – it helps tremendously when I’m stuck for ideas after taking over a case). This also helps set client expectations when things are discussed in advance. When you need guidance on a case, consult a colleague, but first share how you’d approach it and ask for their feedback.
As a new grad, every day is a new learning opportunity. While this can be exhausting at first, it gradually becomes easier
You won’t know everything, and that’s perfectly fine (I’m still learning to accept this). As a new grad, every day is a new learning opportunity. While this can be exhausting at first, it gradually becomes easier. Remember, your colleagues are generally happy to help.
Have an inpatient? Keep owners updated daily about their pet’s condition. Try not to forget to keep them informed about ongoing costs to avoid any surprises on the final bill.
What does “support” mean to me?
Finding a practice with a good support system and mentor is essential for new graduates to thrive. While support needs vary from person to person, I value a supportive environment with mentors who welcome all questions – even ones that might seem silly. It’s especially helpful when mentors can reassure me that I’m on the right track and encourage me to work independently with confidence. For example, I assumed a colleague would scrub into surgery with me for a cat spay, but they said: “You’ve got this, I’ll supervise and will scrub in if you need help”, which really helped my confidence.
What university doesn’t teach you…
Learning to charge for procedures properly is a vital skill
While university teaches you the foundations of veterinary medicine, your real education begins once you start practising. Learning to charge for procedures properly is a vital skill. Though practices customise their practice management systems to streamline billing, it’s easy to forget common items like buster collars or fluorescein stains. It helps to have someone double-check your charges before finalising them during your early stages.
When cases don’t follow the textbook, it can be frustrating. However, as a qualified vet, you can now reach out to referral practices for guidance. I was surprised to learn how often general practice vets consult with specialists, even without making formal referrals.
Final thoughts
To future new graduates: I wish you the very best. Though the journey is long, there’s definitely light at the end of the tunnel. And to final-year students reading this: while the real learning begins after graduation, I promise it’s far more enjoyable. But most importantly, appreciate your time off before you start work.
