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In the intricate tapestry of the veterinary profession, there's a silent predator that often lurks in the shadows, ready to pounce on even the most seasoned practitioners: Imposter Syndrome.

Starting a new veterinary role is an exciting yet challenging endeavour. However, not every experience lives up to expectations, and disappointment can set in when faced with a mismatch in working conditions or unmet professional needs.

The veterinary industry is a unique and rewarding field, where professionals care for the health and well-being of animals, both big and small. While technical expertise and clinical knowledge are undoubtedly crucial in this profession, the value of soft skills cannot be underestimated.

Workplace culture is often discussed and we analyse factors that produce positive culture or otherwise.

Understanding the importance of fair compensation, both for employees and employers, salary transparency is gaining momentum as a crucial topic of discussion in the veterinary industry in Australia.

You may never find the perfect veterinary job advert or role. However, there may be many golden opportunities that you are passing by.

Are you concerned team morale is low in your veterinary business? Vets, veterinary nurses and support staff are the life blood of your business and it is imperative to maintain motivation and morale. 

As a general practitioner veterinarian, do you have days when you feel like your service has minimal impact? That you’re not really saving lives or making a tangible difference? Well think again…

Just over 12 months ago, I was dauntingly faced with standing on the other side of the veterinary consult room table. After performing many thousands of consultations as a vet, this was like stepping into an alternate reality.

Compassion is an emotion that is decidedly topical in the veterinary industry. The question I pose is how to balance or manage compassion.

It is crucial to prioritise continuing education and professional development as a veterinary professional. In the fast-paced and ever-evolving field of veterinary medicine, it is essential to stay informed and knowledgeable to provide the best possible care for our patients.

As veterinary professionals, we all have different career aspirations which drive us to seek out our specialties, location preferences, and work environments. While some may favour metropolitan settings or work within bustling animal hospitals, others enjoy the pace of rural life. But why would working in a rural area be beneficial to veterinarians?

Just as a gardener must plant different seeds and use varying techniques to cultivate a diverse array of fruiting plants that thrive in different conditions, an employer must use a variety of recruitment strategies to attract and retain employees from different backgrounds and within a changing demographic. 

Feeling valued in the veterinary workplace, is essential for longevity, for meaningful employment and career satisfaction. Employers are actively striving to achieve this. Expression of professional value can look quite different to different people. One analogy to consider, is that of the ‘The 5 Love Languages’ espoused by Gary Chapman. 

Time to find a new job? You need time to do it! Have you decided that your current role is no longer meeting your goals, perhaps it lacks purpose or maybe the workplace culture doesn’t align with yours? It could be that you are just starting to wonder if the grass is greener somewhere else?

Often at the start of a new year, people pause and reflect. It is a time to reassess and realign. Stopping and considering how your mental health faired in the year passed is a good practice.

It is not hard with a bit of thought, creativity and very minor modifications to repurpose anything. What about your career path? Are you feeling stuck in an assumed trajectory that isn’t quite aligned with your values, isn’t providing the purpose you seek or just not making you happy?

It’s true unfortunately, that as humans we can psychologically be geared to focus or recall the stressful, anxiety inducing or challenging moments in our life with more ease than the many positive, proud or delighted moments. As members of the veterinary community, we should pause intermittently and reflect on the numerous highlights in our careers. What is so good about being a vet or veterinary nurse? Why did we choose this pathway in the first place?

Is the marathon over or is it actually just beginning? It’s time to think about your first job. What do you really want? Where are the best jobs? How will you present yourself as the best candidate for your dream job?

I was recently chatting to a previous veterinary colleague about a situation they are currently in that is causing a degree of stress. An adverse outcome, through no act of negligence, has resulted in a somewhat disgruntled owner.

Many leaders, managers, businesses and companies profess they are supportive of work/life balance. This term is often publicised in job advertisements. But what does this actually mean?

In a female dominated industry, there are many vets and nurses returning to work after maternity or carers leave or even following a ‘burn out’ break. For some, this time can be one of stress or anxiety or a time when ‘Imposter Syndrome’ rears its ugly head. What are the best ways to manage this?

There has been much said recently about the benefits of a growth mindset. But what is it actually?

Finding satisfying jobs throughout your career, plays a role in achieving personal happiness and overall wellbeing. It can be daunting making the jump from a current role to a new unknown one. Following are some factors to consider when job hunting.

With locum vets being a valuable resource for any vet business, you want to ensure after unearthing one, that they will return and work in your clinic again. Consider these top tips to captivate your locum vet.

A shared goal between employers and employees is the desire to maintain happy, engaged, satisfied staff. So what factors do improve job satisfaction?

This is your time to shine and attract the most suitable candidate for the veterinary role on offer. Your advertisement should be concise and engaging. You need to be positioned as an employer of choice, so managing your employer reputation is critical.