Guest blog from Heather Durkin. Heather graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2023. She works as a veterinary surgeon for small animals and exotics at Holly House Vets in Leeds and is a volunteer and member of the Education Committee for the BSAVA.
Settling into any new role can be challenging, especially when you have the added pressures of having just qualified, and for some, moving to a new location. Along with trying to make a good first impression, it’s no surprise that the pressure can feel a bit overwhelming.
I’ve been in my new role for five weeks now and despite the challenges, I’m really enjoying it! Embracing change and taking each new day as it comes has made me feel so much more confident in myself and my ability. Each task that I accomplish makes me feel that much less like an imposter and more like a proper veterinary surgeon. I feel like I’m really starting to become part of the team, and that my opinions are valued.
“Each task that I accomplish makes me feel that much less like an imposter and more like a proper veterinary surgeon.”
Supportive culture
Our practice prides itself on creating a culture of positivity and inclusion, and from day one everyone made me feel welcome. Colleagues asked about my interests and background, making it feel like people genuinely wanted to get to know me better and welcome me into their community.
One of the things that my practice offers that I haven’t seen anywhere else, is an experience called “Schwartz Rounds”. These are monthly meetings that ‘enable staff to share and reflect on the rewards and challenges of working in healthcare’. The impact of these meetings can be quite profound. I have found that it has reduced my feelings of isolation and stress at work, knowing that others are sharing in my emotions and experiences. It has improved my relationships with my colleagues and further solidified our team bond, as it gives us the opportunity to share experiences from differing perspectives. It’s also helped to improve our ability to tend to the emotional aspects of providing care to our patients and clients.
Gaining confidence
I’ve been encouraged through the induction period to get involved with all aspects of the practice. The induction process is lengthy at 11 weeks long, but it incorporates all aspects of the practice, both clinical and non-clinical, meaning that I’ll spend time rotating through the different areas such as reception, nursing, ECC, and surgery.
In each department, I have time shadowing and carrying out tasks independently, which has been extremely beneficial. I have been able to gain confidence in my interactions with clients as well as my clinical problem solving. I do independent consultations, triage, and procedures, all at my own comfort level. I used to dread discussing finances with clients, and now I feel much more confident in doing so. So much so, that I now think it’s a critical factor in building a strong relationship with clients, and include financial discussions in the structure of all my client communications.
“I’ve been able to progress at my own pace and build on positive experiences.”
Throughout the induction, if I have questions or need some extra support, I have the vet/member of staff that I am shadowing to confide in. It’s helped facilitate an easier transition from the role of student to practicing vet because I’ve been able to progress at my own pace and build on positive experiences. When I go “live” on the diary with my own bookings, I am confident that it won’t be as overwhelming, as I’ll have had so much practice with the practice management software, practice protocols and consulting.
Development resources
I am also signed on to a corporate Graduate Academy, and along with our clinical development, we have specific topics dedicated to welfare, wellbeing, communication, and interprofessional relationships. Additionally, as a new graduate my practice offers once monthly “shadowing days” on the rota, where we can partake in areas of interest. This could be anything from scrubbing-in to a surgery that you haven’t performed before, to shadowing a master consultant to develop stronger skills in client communication, to working with the support team to learn business and marketing strategies for the practice.
I think it’s important to remember, even if you feel new and inexperienced, reach out to a trusted colleague for help when you need it. They have all been new grads and know what you are going through and can offer so much wisdom. Also utilise all the great resources that you have around you. The new BSAVA Graduate Resource Hub is a fantastic tool, filled with plenty of both clinical and non-clinical resources, giving you access to invaluable insights, guidelines, and best practices. Don’t be ashamed of having to look something up, and don’t feel alone, because you’re not! Literally everyone started where you are now.
Embrace the experience
The final piece of advice I would give to any new graduate is to enjoy the ride! It’s a crazy journey and you’ll feel a plethora of emotions, good and bad. Embrace all those feelings; they are part of growing and developing into the vet that you want to be. If something doesn’t go as planned, don’t focus on the negative and beat yourself up about it. Use it as a learning experience for the next time.
I’ve also found it helpful to save any positive feedback from clients and colleagues. At the end of the week, I look at my little collection and take pride in the progress I have made throughout the week. Even if it’s just the little things, always count your wins! No matter how scary it is and how hard the imposter syndrome may be hitting you, just remember that you have worked so hard, and you’ve earned this. No one can take that away from you. You ARE a Vet!
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