Most veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses enter the profession to care for the health and wellbeing of animals. A career that revolves around helping others, albeit of the four-legged variety, requires significant emotional input. Add to that long working hours, busy on-call rotas and packed diaries, and the job can soon start to take its toll. And the end result? Burnout – an ever-growing issue in the veterinary profession.
What is burnout in the veterinary profession?
First things first, what is burnout? According to Mental Health UK, burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that can occur when you experience long-term stress in your job, or when you have worked in a physically or emotionally draining role for a long time. They also report that one in five UK workers felt unable to manage pressure and stress levels at work, and that figure may be even higher in the veterinary profession.
Many factors contribute to burnout in veterinary medicine. From financial worries to the rollercoaster of emotions on a ‘normal’ day, and the demands of worried pet owners, a veterinary career can at times be tough. There’s no doubt that the current veterinary recruitment crisis is adding to the pressure, with short-staffing leading to higher workloads and longer hours.
While there is no quick fix for these complex issues, a focus on wellbeing can help to reduce the risk of burnout.
Top 10 tips for improving veterinary wellbeing
1. Show yourself compassion
Treat yourself with the same kindness you would a friend. Many in the veterinary profession are perfectionists – hard-working, academic high-achievers who believe that anything less than perfection equates to failure. While perfectionism may have helped achieve academic excellence and a coveted place at vet school, in the working world when treatment outcomes are influenced by a whole host of factors, this trait can soon lead to disillusionment. Be kind to yourself, especially when life isn’t going according to plan.
And with that in mind…
2. Self-care is key
Whether practising mindfulness, signing up for yoga or simply getting enough sleep, self-care is so important. Some days it may just be about celebrating the small wins – getting a lunch break, leaving on time, or getting through all your phone messages. Caring for others is only possible if we look after our own wellbeing first.
3. Take breaks together
Where possible, take a break at the same time as colleagues. Having a ten minute catch-up over a cup of coffee can work wonders. It is a great opportunity to ask for moral support or advice on a complex case, and as with so many aspects of life, a problem shared is often a problem halved. Even better if breaks are protected, interruption free time in a dedicated staff room.
4. Apply the H.A.L.T technique
There are some basic human needs, that are surprisingly easy to overlook when life gets busy. Applying H.A.L.T. and taking appropriate action, addresses some of the simple requirements necessary to protect wellbeing:
· Hungry and/or thirsty
· Angry and/or anxious
· Lonely and/or late
· Tired
After all, no one can function effectively when they are running on empty.
5. Adopt a no-blame culture
Being able to speak without judgement is vital to a healthy working environment. Discussing cases, whether successes or less positive outcomes should be encouraged. And it should always be OK to ask for help.
6. Good diary management
Good diary management is fundamental to the smooth running of the appointment list. Allowing space in the diary for emergencies or urgent extras can make all the difference, but what about the days when a member of staff is off sick? Nobody likes cancelling routine appointments but there are days when it is necessary, after all no one benefits if clinical staff are stretched to breaking point, least of all the patients.
7. Practise gratitude
Practising gratitude might just mean a simple ‘thank you’ at the end of the day to a colleague. Or how about having a practice gratitude board full of positivity? There is also plenty of evidence out there that journaling can have a positive impact on wellbeing.
8. Know when to say ‘no’
There are times when you need to say ‘no’, but equally those days when you stay to help a colleague with a tricky surgery or complex medical emergency, can be some of the most rewarding.
9. Take time off when you are sick
Not wanting to let down colleagues, or make their day even busier means it’s all too easy to struggle in to work, when you should be recuperating in bed.
10. And remember… it’s OK not to be OK
Communicate with your colleagues if work is getting too much. Looking out for each other is so important and feeling like colleagues have ‘got your back’ and you theirs, means that everyone is more likely to thrive.
Organisations such as Vetlife are also there to provide veterinary mental health support, 24 hours a day, 350 days a year.
More importance is being placed on wellbeing in the veterinary profession than ever before and everyone has a part to play. Why not be a catalyst for change in your veterinary practice?
The right job is out there. So get in touch today and let JHP Recruitment help you find it.