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The time after graduation can be an exciting period of learning, making new connections with colleagues and clients, and figuring out what you’d like your career to look like. However, even though veterinary school provides a wonderful education, sometimes the transition to the “real world” of clinical practice can feel challenging.
Here are some things to consider to make this transition smooth and enjoyable…
Going from School to Clinical Practice
In many ways, school and clinical practice are similar. After all, school focused on the knowledge and skills someone would need to be a practicing veterinarian.
However, new grads and experienced vets alike have pointed out some key differences.
For example, even with a thorough education, many vets don’t see every possible type of medical case in school—so they might see their first GDV or unblock a urinary obstruction in a cat by themselves for the first time in clinical practice.
While new vets have the tools and knowledge to handle all of these situations, some may find that it feels a little intimidating to be in charge of these cases for the first time.
Learning how to talk to clients can also take experience and practice—especially when it comes to discussing costs.
Unlike at a university teaching hospital, where many pet owners could afford treatment with a specialist, clients in many locations of the country simply can’t afford to do as much as they would like to do for their pets.
Therefore, vets must often gain the skill of discussing why everything in “Plan A” is recommended, what are the risks of not doing all recommended diagnostics and treatments, and then discussing alternative treatment plans (when possible and reasonable for the pet’s comfort and safety).
All of this may seem kind of overwhelming in a vet’s first job.
Fortunately, there are resources to help.
Learning and Finding the Resources You Need
Mentorship is valuable for anyone entering a new profession—and veterinarians are no exception.
A mentor could be another person (or multiple people) who works at your practice. This often includes other vets who are open to mentoring (or at least having a collaborative workplace), since they have been through this transition themselves after their own graduation.
But other support staff, especially experienced technicians or nurses, can also give valuable input and advice.
Mentorship can also mean keeping in touch with classmates, teachers, and former colleagues, or joining an online community such as VIN.
Conferences—both large gatherings and smaller or local events—and continuing education courses are also valuable, and many are available online nowadays.
Figuring Out Who You Want to Be as a Veterinarian
While mentorship is very valuable, there will come a time when you develop your own style of practicing medicine. You and your colleagues may have differing opinions on some things—and so long as you are providing great care to your patients, that’s okay, because even specialists don’t agree on everything.
Your own practice style could include your professional interests. For example, you could become the “go-to” doctor at your practice for dentistry, nutrition, or exotics, or you may decide you want to go back for a residency in your preferred specialization.
Your practice style will also include deciding what you are (or aren’t) comfortable doing as a vet, such as declaw surgeries.
Finding Work-Life Balance
Since burnout and stress are common in the profession, it’s best to set up healthy habits—such as meditation, getting enough sleep, socializing, pursuing hobbies, etc.—from the beginning. If these habits seem daunting, start small at first. For example, spend 10-15 minutes on a hobby or meditate for 5 minutes if that’s all you can spare.
If stress arises at the new job, asking for help (from a friend or professional therapist) can make a world of difference.
There are even some veterinary-specific organizations that are there to help, such as
A Few More Tips
Remember to prepare for student loan payments, if that applies to you.
They typically kick in six months after graduation.
Use a budgeting system, or speak to a financial professional, to ensure your hard-earned salary is used wisely to provide the lifestyle and secure future that you want.
And remember, they call it the “practice” of medicine for a reason.
There is always some degree of learning that happens on the job, and even experienced practitioners can see new things that surprise them.
So, it’s important to give yourself grace if you feel like you don’t know everything.
Just remember your list of resources and mentors when you need a second opinion on a case.
Know that it will probably take you longer than a more seasoned colleague to research a new case, create a treatment plan, and write up the medical record.
But, you’ll get faster with time and practice, and you’ll eventually find a routine that works for you.
Though the first job after graduation from vet school can feel intimidating, it can also be exciting and fun.
Preparation, along with an openness to learning new things along the way, can really set up a new grad for success in veterinary medicine.
Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM