A deficiency of ideas for the title and indeed the content of this article led me to tune in to my newly-installed Sky HD and the classic film American Pie for inspiration.
The fact that this was marketed as a classic made me feel, at the tender age of 24, past my prime. This was accentuated by having the opening scenes interrupted by a friend of mine who was seeking advice during his first night on call reminding me that I was no longer a new graduate; the emergence of the recent cohort of 2010 graduates making me, a 2009 graduate, no longer the newest age of the profession.
Just prior to tuning in for some inspiration I was sorting out the paperwork for enrolment onto the CertAVP programme, having completed my PDP a few months ago. I was discussing the programme and details with a fellow ’09 graduate friend of mine who is also enrolling and specifically we were looking at the request for our CPD record.
Part of the CPD can be selfcertified clinical discussion limited to a maximum 10 hours per annum, a figure we were both confident we had exceeded in these first 12 months in practice just speaking to each other about difficult cases: long-standing medical cases more suitable to be approached by Gregory House and his team, unique surgical challenges, and complex herd health problems, to name just a view.
As I continued to write this article to the backdrop of American Pie I was reminded of the progression of each of the characters through each sequel developing and progressing from their experiences; and from that drew parallels to us as a year group of 2009 graduates.
The discussion with one of my fellow ’09 graduates earlier in the evening focused on some rather complex and involved cases and I looked back to think what we were discussing 12 months ago and realised just how much we had both developed.
Twelve months ago we were discussing, “Were we taught to use this medication or that medication for this (common) condition?” compared to now where the topics are, “I have exhausted all the common conditions and have followed these steps and wonder if you have any other ideas from your experience,” and, “In your experience…”
These changes show that in the last 12 months we have seen so much and learned so much as a result. I was speaking to one of the receptionists in my new workplace today who was describing a cow with the symptoms of August-bag. She was able to describe the signs the farmer had given her and associate these with the condition and had already got the medication out that she thought I might want.
Everything she said was absolutely correct and this shows just how much experience can teach us all and how much we get from being in the cases’ environment.
She was mindful to point out that she knew she was not a vet and that of course clinical decisions are the exclusive domain of us, but in my opinion quality experienced support staff, which I am lucky to have had in my time in practice, can be worth their weight in gold, especially in those early stages of your career.
Underpinning knowledge
This is evident in everyday practice as whilst all we do is based on our underpinning knowledge from our continuing education (university, PDP, CPD), every decision we make is based on the clinical experience of ourselves and our colleagues within our practice and further afield; the advent of mobile telephones, internet and mobile-internet making keeping in touch much easier.
And in these short 12 months it is only when talking to fellow ’09 graduates and comparing to discussions with friends who are recent ’10 graduates that it becomes apparent that we have seen and done more than we probably appreciate.
It is grounding still that you then discuss cases with more experienced members of the profession within the practice or referral centres and realise just how much further experience will
benefit clinical decisions in the future.
And as difficult as they are at the time, complications make you a better vet as you learn to deal with the unexpected, which makes you refer back to underlying physiology, anatomy and pathology in order to cope with the encountered complication.
Develop continuously
Experiences good and bad help you improve and develop to continuously raise the bar of your standard of practice – what makes you a good vet is your ability to take things hard when it doesn’t go right as it shows you care.
I am told it affects you less as you grow older but still always affects you. When it doesn’t, it is surely time to retire from the profession!
I would like to thank all those who have followed my “new graduate” series and I will continue to write of the stories I come across but feel the time has come to pass that mantle to someone younger, fresher and hopefully not much better looking than me!
It was Einstein who said that “the only source of knowledge is experience” and I wish all of the recent ’10 graduates the best of luck in their first few weeks and months in practice developing that experience.
In the same way I look forward to developing in the same way I have done in the first 12 months for the rest of my career.
And from one great philosopher to another in Oz from American Pie: “After this everything is going to be different.”
