The veterinary profession has long been the dream career of many. Varied, interesting and rewarding, is it any wonder that there is no shortage of applicants to vet schools in the UK. So why is there a vet shortage and a well-documented veterinary recruitment crisis?
The cause of the current challenges facing the veterinary profession, both in the UK and further afield, are likely to be many and varied. A perfect storm of Brexit and the global pandemic leading many to re-evaluate their priorities, has certainly not helped. Add to that the recent surge in pet population numbers and it is easy to see why veterinary teams are over-stretched and mental health in veterinary medicine is a growing concern.
Stay positive: countering negativity bias
There are no quick fixes to the UK vet shortage, which makes it all the more important to look after yourself, your colleagues, your practice team, and maybe try and remember the positives, even on those days that you would rather forget. Easier said than done….
Believe it or not, we are programmed to remember the negatives. This so-called negativity bias leads our brains to focus on bad news and negative events – an important survival mechanism for our ancestors that enabled them to respond appropriately to dangerous or threatening situations. These days, with less need to worry about some of the life-threatening challenges our predecessors faced, negativity bias can sometimes do more harm than good.
Take as an example the 30 positive interactions that you have had with clients in a day, and the one negative. Which do you remember when you go home at night? For many in the veterinary profession it’s the latter. And how about the case outcome that was not quite as you had hoped that still bothers you weeks later? The many successful outcomes seemingly forgotten.
Negativity bias also goes some way to explaining why the client whose bill was not to their liking writes a negative review online, even though they never bothered to record the countless positive experiences that they had at your practice.
Focusing on the negatives can lead to anxiety, stress and a loss of love for your job or even the veterinary profession as a whole. So what do we do about it?
Looking for positives in the veterinary profession
While not wishing to underplay the challenges facing veterinary teams up and down the country, maybe we should start looking for the positives in the veterinary profession. Here are a few for starters:
· Job security
In the current veterinary recruitment climate, veterinary professionals are in high demand and job security is good. Whether you want to work in the Scottish Highlands, the heart of London, or the wilds of rural Lincolnshire, more often than not there will be a veterinary practice that needs you. The choice is very much yours.
· Colleagues
What about colleagues? There are not many professions where such strong bonds are formed between work colleagues, forged over late night emergencies, busy days or challenging surgeries. The nature of the job means vets and nurses are a caring bunch of people and most will have stories of fantastic team spirit to tell. Some days it gets hidden under the stresses and strains of practice life, but it’s still there if you look for it.
· Making a difference
As a veterinary professional, you get to really make a difference to pets’ lives and owners’ lives too. Pets are very much members of the family these days and it can be immensely rewarding to build long-lasting relationships with grateful owners that can last a lifetime. And while we may have moved on from the James Herriot era, the local vet is still an integral part of the community.
· Variety is the spice of life
They say variety is the spice of life and there is no doubt that most vets have a pretty varied and interesting caseload, with no two days the same. It might be emergency care and CPR one minute, then dermatology or dentistry the next. Add to that continual opportunities to advance your knowledge through CPD and from colleagues – you never stop learning.
However despite the positives, in a report commissioned by the RCVS1, only 48 percent of respondents would still opt for the veterinary profession if they could start their career again. So what of the other 52 percent? Citing concerns over work-life balance, financial rewards and workload pressures, 23 percent would not choose the same career again and the remainder were undecided.
Positivity and the profession
When faced with life’s challenges, it is often the small things that make a difference and determine if a day is going to follow an upward trajectory or not. Taking steps to counter our tendency to remember the negatives life throws at us, rather than the positives may be one small step to help. With this in mind….
· Reflect on the positives
Take a moment every day to reflect on the things that turned out well. Some days, it may feel like a challenge, so celebrate the small wins – a dog walk before work, getting through a busy consult list, helping a colleague or even just arriving on time.
· Keep a journal
Write down three good things that have happened or three things that you are grateful for. Maybe you mastered a new surgical technique, or a grateful client said ‘thank you’, or how about a beautiful sunset, your dog’s unbounding joy at your arrival home, a cup of tea and five minutes peace…
· Spread the positivity
Thank a member of your veterinary practice team. The vet colleague who made you a coffee between consults, the receptionist who fielded calls from clients when you were rushed off your feet, or the vet nurse who was your source of moral support during a stressful surgery. Positivity is infectious and so is gratitude.
Constant negativity can be draining. Finding the good in a difficult day might be one small step to remembering why you joined the profession. And remember, in all probability, the right job is out there. So get in touch today and let us help you find it.