So, You Feel Like an Imposter?

By Dr. Katie Ford BVSc(Hons) CertAVP(SAM) PGCert MSc(Wellbeing) MRCVS

As a veterinary surgeon turned coach, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with members of the veterinary team who feel like imposters. If you’re one of them, you’re not alone; I have been there too. The imposter phenomenon, first noted in the 1970s, affects an estimated 60-85% of professionals, and the veterinary community is no exception.

Before we dive deeper, let’s pause for a moment. If you’re feeling like an imposter right now, I want you to know it’s okay. Accept that feeling without judgement. Often, there’s a part of us that’s scared we truly are an imposter. It’s alright to acknowledge that fear. Accepting these feelings doesn’t mean they’re true, but it allows us to be gentle with ourselves. Take a deep breath. You’ve got this. Keep reading.

The imposter phenomenon is that nagging feeling that you’re a fraud, despite evidence to the contrary. You worry you’ll be “found out,” even though you’re a competent and accomplished veterinary professional.

Let’s start by ditching the term “syndrome.” While technically correct, it implies a fault or condition. The ‘imposter phenomenon’ (as it was first termed) is an experience, not a personal flaw. It’s so common that most veterinary professionals you admire have likely felt it at some point.

I wish someone had told me this earlier in my veterinary career. I spent years believing I was the only one who felt this way, pushing myself harder and accumulating more qualifications in an attempt to feel “worthy.” But here’s the truth: you were always enough. Even when you forget. Your value isn’t determined by external achievements or others’ opinions of your veterinary skills.

So why do we feel this way in veterinary medicine? Often, it’s because we have an idea of who we “should” be. Psychologist Valerie Young identified five imposter archetypes that highlight common pressures:

1. The Perfectionist: Believing you must perform every veterinary procedure flawlessly (or you’re an imposter).

2. The Expert: Feeling you should know everything about veterinary medicine (or you’re an imposter).

3. The Natural Genius: Thinking you should excel effortlessly on the first try with new veterinary techniques (or you’re an imposter).

4. The Soloist: Believing you must handle every case alone without consulting colleagues (or you’re an imposter).

5. The Superwoman/man: Striving to be the best in every aspect of veterinary practice and personal life (or you’re an imposter).

These archetypes are influenced by societal stereotypes of veterinary professionals and personal experiences. Many of us have felt “not good enough” due to various factors in our lives and careers. When we don’t meet these impossible standards, a part of us feels scared. But here’s the thing: nobody meets all these standards. They’re unrealistic and often based on outdated information we’ve internalised.

It’s crucial to understand that everyone in the veterinary field has their own unique inputs to feeling this way. Experiences, family dynamics, education, and societal pressures all play a role. Recognising this can help you approach your feelings with curiosity rather than criticism.

Imposter feelings often crop up when we step out of our comfort zones or tackle new challenges in veterinary practice. When it feels scary or different, it’s easy to conclude, “It must be me. I must be a fraud.” But what if we reframed these moments? Maybe you’re feeling this way because you’re growing, stretching yourself, or simply need to release some of the pressures you’ve been carrying.

One trap I see veterinary professionals fall into is the need to label imposter feelings as either “good” or “bad.” You might see LinkedIn gurus proclaiming, “Feeling like an imposter is great! It means you’re challenging yourself!” While well-intentioned, this can make people feel even worse if they’re not enjoying the experience. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be either. It’s an experience, and like all experiences, it can be complex.

So, what can you do when these feelings arise in your veterinary career? Remember, as everyone has different inputs to this experience, different things will help different people.

Here are some strategies I’ve found helpful, both personally and with my veterinary clients:

1. Regulate your nervous system: Imposter feelings often trigger fear responses. Take a moment to breathe more slowly, deeply into your belly, ground yourself, and recognise that you’re safe in this moment.

2. Notice how you feel: Instead of pushing the feelings away, observe them with curiosity, if you can. What physical sensations do you notice? What thoughts are running through your mind? What do you need right now? Could this be because you’re pushing comfort zones?

3. Journal: Write down your thoughts and feelings. This can help you identify patterns and gain perspective on your veterinary experiences.

4. Get to know yourself: Understand your values and strengths as a veterinary professional. What’s truly important to you? What are you naturally good at? This self-knowledge can be a powerful anchor when imposter feelings hit.

5. Find support systems: Surround yourself with veterinary colleagues who believe in you and can offer perspective when you’re doubting yourself. Talk to those who you trust about your worries.

6. Take it one step at a time: Break big veterinary challenges into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate your progress along the way.

7. Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a fellow vet facing similar doubts.

Remember, it’s okay to seek additional support. Coaches, mentors, and therapists can all play valuable roles in helping you navigate these experiences. If you’re in the veterinary profession, Vetlife offers confidential support. It’s also worth noting that persistent imposter feelings can sometimes co-occur with other mental health challenges, so don’t hesitate to reach out to a medical professional if you’re struggling.

One thing I’ve learned through my work with Vet Empowered and our group programme is the power of community in addressing imposter feelings within the veterinary profession. When we are in a safe place and feel able to share our experiences, we realise we’re not alone. We can support each other in rewriting the stories we tell ourselves and challenging the unrealistic standards we’ve internalised.

As we move forward, it’s crucial to start rewriting some of those pressures we’ve internalised. Let’s look at a few common ones in veterinary medicine:

“I should know everything”: Instead, try “It’s okay not to know everything. I’m committed to lifelong learning in veterinary medicine.”
“I must do everything solo”: Reframe this as “Collaboration makes me and my team stronger. It’s okay to ask for help.”
“I can’t make mistakes”: Change this to “Mistakes are opportunities for growth, all humans make them. I learn from them.”
“I must be perfect from the start”: Shift to “Perfect doesn’t exist. It’s normal to improve with practice. I give myself permission to develop my skills over time.”

By reframing these pressures, we open ourselves up to a growth mindset, a perspective popularised by psychologist Carol Dweck. Let’s also consider the action that aligns with this new reframe.

Embracing a growth mindset in veterinary practice means:

Viewing challenges as opportunities to learn, not threats to your competence
Seeing effort as a path to mastery, not a sign of inadequacy
Learning from criticism instead of taking it personally
Finding inspiration in others’ success rather than feeling threatened by it

Remember, your skills as a veterinary professional are not fixed. You have the capacity to grow, learn, and improve throughout your career. This mindset can be incredibly liberating when experiencing imposter feelings.

While individual strategies are crucial, it’s equally important to recognise that feeling like an imposter isn’t solely an individual issue. We need to critically examine our veterinary workplaces and the broader professional culture. Are our practices psychologically safe spaces where team members feel comfortable expressing doubts, asking questions, and making mistakes? Do we foster an inclusive environment that values diverse experiences and approaches to veterinary medicine? It’s crucial to recognise that neurodivergent individuals and those from underrepresented groups in veterinary medicine may experience imposter feelings more intensely due to systemic barriers and lack of representation, underscoring the importance of robust EDI initiatives in our profession. Are we providing visible role models? By creating supportive, transparent work cultures, we can collectively chip away at the conditions that feed imposter feelings. This isn’t just about individual resilience; it’s about reshaping our professional norms to acknowledge our shared humanity and foster genuine growth for all veterinary professionals. Remember, when we create environments where it’s safe to be imperfect and still valued, we all thrive.

As you move forward in your veterinary career, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself. Recognise that feeling like an imposter doesn’t make you one. It’s often a sign that you care deeply about your work and want to do your best for your patients and clients. But you don’t have to carry the weight of impossible expectations.

Next time you feel like an imposter in your veterinary role, try this: Take a deep breath. Remind yourself that this is a common experience, not a personal failing. Ask yourself, “What would I say to a friend feeling this way?” Then offer yourself that same compassion; and yes, that can feel a little different, so take it slowly.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. The veterinary profession is full of incredible, caring individuals who sometimes doubt themselves. But your worth isn’t determined by your achievements or others’ opinions. You’re valuable simply because you’re you.

So, let’s make a pact. Instead of striving for an impossible ideal of the ‘perfect’ professional, let’s embrace our authentic selves. Let’s celebrate our strengths, acknowledge our areas for growth, and support each other along the way. Because when we step into our true selves as veterinary professionals, we not only empower ourselves but also give others permission to do the same.

You’re not an imposter. You’re a valuable, unique individual with so much to offer the veterinary community. And that’s more than enough.

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So, You Feel Like an Imposter?

By Dr. Katie Ford BVSc(Hons) CertAVP(SAM) PGCert MSc(Wellbeing) MRCVS

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