Class of 2015... How ya doing?

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I’m pretty happy too. Been with my diagnostic lab over a year and a half now and really enjoy my job. I got a significant raise in 2021 and now it pays more than I ever expected this soon in my career. I don’t love where I live right now but things are falling into place for me to swap over to a virtual workload in the next few months which will mean I can move back home with my family and work from home. I’m going to go home at Easter and look at real estate near my family with a bit of land so I can get some livestock. It is daunting but super exciting at the same time. Oh and I’m getting another puppy in April.
 
How's everyone doing these days??

I left my industry job. I didn't end up getting the other position, and although I could've stayed forever for the job itself, I just couldn't make the schedule work for my family any longer. I was working every Sunday, and my husband is also a vet and works half of Saturdays. We also both had on call requirements and it was hard to juggle that with a 2 year old.

So now I'm working for a corporate group as a relief vet specifically for their clinics in one metro area. It's great, but I'm actually about to change jobs AGAIN, and will be a strategic medical director (the equivalent of a district medical director in other corporate hierarchies). Sadly, this means I will be leaving clinical medicine, which I absolutely love, but similar to JaynaAli, this will give me a raise I never thought possible and may actually be able to PAY BACK my and my husband's student loans!
 
I am still in love with my job. Like it’s silly how happy I am; the first thing I always tell people who ask is how glad I am I put myself out there and took the leap. There are things I miss about GP work - more variety in both practice and species - but I know I’m in this weird little niche of lab animal and the rest of the field would let me get back to breadth of practice and species if I wanted to make it happen. And it’s crazy for me to think that I can pursue board certification, and be what I had always wanted to be…OK, I’ll stop now :laugh: And yeah, it pays well and I paid of my giant loans, woohoo!

On the home front, I find motherhood to be exceedingly challenging. My husband is a solid partner but it’s still the hardest freaking job ever. My dog is a saint. The end 🙂
 
Since it’s been 6 months I’ll update again…I’m still happy. I still haven’t been changed to a virtual workload yet but I keep getting told it’s imminent. I didn’t find a house in the country, but I did buy a house in a small town about 40 minutes from my family and an hour from my best friend. We’re (aka mostly my parents, though I did hire a contractor for a couple projects) making some upgrades to the house while I’m still not allowed to leave my current metro area a couple states away. It’s frustrating that it’s taking so long but I’m still hopeful I’ll be able to move in the next month or two. Once I get moved I’ll probably pay off my student loans. It’ll mean dipping into savings but I’d like to just be rid of them. I’m hanging on to the money for now in case of emergencies since it’s zero interest zero payments currently.

I did get the new puppy. He’s 7 month old next week and he’s amazing. He’s everything I wanted and more. I’m gonna start showing him in conformation events once we figure out the living situation and can make plans. I wanted to enter him in one in mid October but I don’t think we’ll be able to if I haven’t moved yet. But soon. We may dabble in barn hunt and scentwork too. Murphy is doing pretty well too.
 
scb44f said:
How's everyone doing these days??
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Drowning. I'm still ER. We're still getting crushed. All 9 of the ERs in the Twin Cities still close almost every night. Last night - for the umpteenth time - I was the only facility still trying to take things in around 9-10pm or thereabouts, and I don't think any of the other facilities even opened again until this morning.

Don't even want to talk about how bad it is. My gut sense is that the caseload is starting to drop a tiny bit over the last year or so, but our efficiency/capacity has dropped with it (as we've hemorrhaged staff), so we're still getting crushed. I'm starting to run into more internal limitations (like having 1 ICU tech and 20+ hospitalized cases) more often than before where it was more like "Ok, there are 15 cases currently here and another 10 on the way ..... we gotta shut down the flow at SOME point." I've had a few nights where I've been bored and we're still partly closed simply because I can't hospitalize anything else. I've started 'hospitalizing' things on the ER treatment floor and having my ER techs care for it overnight because the ICU tech or techs simply can't accommodate any more cases, and then shifting them into ICU as capacity opens up.

It feels a bit like I imagine a human hospital putting patients in the hallway until a room is available.

On the upside, the money is amazing.

I see myself moving to another (ER) practice early-ish next year, but can't say much about it yet. Sucks, because I really do love the level of medicine we are set up to provide. And our new facility is pretty darn sweet. But the new gig should offer significant upsides - full staffing, an amazing schedule that gives me flexibility to travel far more often, a boss that I absolutely love (my former boss).... we'll see.

I may just toss it all in, buy a boat, and live on the boat. @Lupin21? 🙂
 
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LetItSnow said:
Drowning. I'm still ER. We're still getting crushed. All 9 of the ERs in the Twin Cities still close almost every night. Last night - for the umpteenth time - I was the only facility still trying to take things in around 9-10pm or thereabouts, and I don't think any of the other facilities even opened again until this morning.

Don't even want to talk about how bad it is. My gut sense is that the caseload is starting to drop a tiny bit over the last year or so, but our efficiency/capacity has dropped with it (as we've hemorrhaged staff), so we're still getting crushed. I'm starting to run into more internal limitations (like having 1 ICU tech and 20+ hospitalized cases) more often than before where it was more like "Ok, there are 15 cases currently here and another 10 on the way ..... we gotta shut down the flow at SOME point." I've had a few nights where I've been bored and we're still partly closed simply because I can't hospitalize anything else. I've started 'hospitalizing' things on the ER treatment floor and having my ER techs care for it overnight because the ICU tech or techs simply can't accommodate any more cases, and then shifting them into ICU as capacity opens up.

It feels a bit like I imagine a human hospital putting patients in the hallway until a room is available.

On the upside, the money is amazing.

I see myself moving to another (ER) practice early-ish next year, but can't say much about it yet. Sucks, because I really do love the level of medicine we are set up to provide. And our new facility is pretty darn sweet. But the new gig should offer significant upsides - full staffing, an amazing schedule that gives me flexibility to travel far more often, a boss that I absolutely love (my former boss).... we'll see.

I may just toss it all in, buy a boat, and live on the boat.
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i-should-buy-a-boat-33067985.png
 
@LetItSnow I can’t imagine working ER right now. I’m glad I’m out of the SA GP world anyway but especially now. Huge kudos to you for making it work.

Are you confident the new place will stay fully staffed? Do you feel like the medicine will be at least comparable to what you have now? That was a huge driving factor in me leaving my first job.
 
@that redhead motherhood is the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm not sure how our marriage is surviving the brutality of job changes the NICU stay, Covid, and everything else that's popped up since we found out I was pregnant. But it sure took its toll.

@LetItSnow I have no words. It sounds insane and I don't know how you do it.
 
that redhead said:
@LetItSnow I can’t imagine working ER right now. I’m glad I’m out of the SA GP world anyway but especially now. Huge kudos to you for making it work.

Are you confident the new place will stay fully staffed? Do you feel like the medicine will be at least comparable to what you have now? That was a huge driving factor in me leaving my first job.
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Not at all confident it will. But OTOH - so what? "Maybe staying staffed" is still better than "almost completely without staff". And the schedule is a major enticement since it would allow me to travel more. And ... she was my boss for 5 years and she's fantastic.

I dunno. Not sure where things will go. At the moment .... the 'give a crap' meter is bouncing off of 0.
 
LetItSnow said:
Not at all confident it will. But OTOH - so what? "Maybe staying staffed" is still better than "almost completely without staff". And the schedule is a major enticement since it would allow me to travel more. And ... she was my boss for 5 years and she's fantastic.

I dunno. Not sure where things will go. At the moment .... the 'give a crap' meter is bouncing off of 0.
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It is fairly awful right now. At this point, I'd kill for a position that allows me more time off. Screw the rest of it. No where is staffed decently and the doors revolve like they're wd-40'd every 5 minutes, so even if you have a month or so of decent staffing, it seems unlikely to stay that way. So that's where I'd prioritize which place will allow me the most time away from the hell circus that is vet med right now.
 
DVMDream said:
It is fairly awful right now. At this point, I'd kill for a position that allows me more time off. Screw the rest of it. No where is staffed decently and the doors revolve like they're wd-40'd every 5 minutes, so even if you have a month or so of decent staffing, it seems unlikely to stay that way. So that's where I'd prioritize which place will allow me the most time away from the hell circus that is vet med right now.
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Indeed. And the schedule they are proposing is every Wed overnight with every other Fri-Sat-Sun overnight, counting as full time. So, every other Thu-Wed morn off. Not shabby. There's also a proposal on the table from a colleague of mine where both she and I go there, and she takes that overnight schedule I just described and I take the days on that schedule instead. She and I practice similarly and communicate with owners similarly, so we like it when we're alternating on weekends .... makes case management so much easier.

Either way, it's an amazing schedule from my perspective. A little light on hours which translates into less income, but it's trivial to pick up extra shifts just about anywhere as needed to supplement income.
 
LetItSnow said:
Indeed. And the schedule they are proposing is every Wed overnight with every other Fri-Sat-Sun overnight, counting as full time. So, every other Thu-Wed morn off. Not shabby. There's also a proposal on the table from a colleague of mine where both she and I go there, and she takes that overnight schedule I just described and I take the days on that schedule instead. She and I practice similarly and communicate with owners similarly, so we like it when we're alternating on weekends .... makes case management so much easier.

Either way, it's an amazing schedule from my perspective. A little light on hours which translates into less income, but it's trivial to pick up extra shifts just about anywhere as needed to supplement income.
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I work swing Fri-Sun, overnight Mon and every other wednesday for full time and really love the schedule. I still work occasionally at my GP and some easy spay/neuter shifts in between, but routinely have 5-7 days off in a row.

I was explaining my schedule to a couple non-medical acquaintances (business, tech) this weekend and got very perplexed stares, though...
 
LetItSnow said:
Not at all confident it will. But OTOH - so what? "Maybe staying staffed" is still better than "almost completely without staff". And the schedule is a major enticement since it would allow me to travel more. And ... she was my boss for 5 years and she's fantastic.

I dunno. Not sure where things will go. At the moment .... the 'give a crap' meter is bouncing off of 0.
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Reasonable approach for sure. A good boss is worth a lot!

And agreed with DVMD that time off/scheduling is more important than most other things. I’m working 7-3:30 M-F but with plenty of vacation and unlimited sick time (a huge perk with these dang kids getting daycare bugs every other week!) I’m still doing a weekend a month at my GP job but it feels loads different because I’m not there regularly. Although my boss did text me and try to entice me back full time but I’m at the point where I don’t care how much you want to pay me. Ain’t doing it!

@scb44f For real, what a trip. Having twins legit feels impossible some days. I’m glad we never had to do NICU but it definitely takes its toll and while in many ways we’re stronger, it’s also not the same. I’m not the same, frankly. I’m sure things will get better in some ways but harder in others. It’s all a balancing act, right?
 
that redhead said:
Reasonable approach for sure. A good boss is worth a lot!

And agreed with DVMD that time off/scheduling is more important than most other things. I’m working 7-3:30 M-F but with plenty of vacation and unlimited sick time (a huge perk with these dang kids getting daycare bugs every other week!) I’m still doing a weekend a month at my GP job but it feels loads different because I’m not there regularly. Although my boss did text me and try to entice me back full time but I’m at the point where I don’t care how much you want to pay me. Ain’t doing it!

@scb44f For real, what a trip. Having twins legit feels impossible some days. I’m glad we never had to do NICU but it definitely takes its toll and while in many ways we’re stronger, it’s also not the same. I’m not the same, frankly. I’m sure things will get better in some ways but harder in others. It’s all a balancing act, right?
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No doubt. I was just chatting with the criticalist taking over from me today. We were talking salaries and hours and stuff and both of us were 50000% in agreement that I'd gladly take a moderate pay cut for a less stressful situation.

One of the appealing things about my ex-boss's schedule proposal is that it's only 10 days every month, instead of the more typical 12-13 days/month. That gives me a ton of time to either spend with my, uh, SO, or spend with kids, or pick up extra shifts <wherever> for money. Esp since she's offering normal benefits (plus ownership). It's tempting.

OTOH, my feeling is I can write my own schedule depending on where I want to be. Pondering a variety of options. Not sure! But work has moved beyond "overloaded" and "understaffed" and right into **** show territory. It's interesting being part of a train wreck! 🙂
 
Hi friends. We are getting old. The “class of 2028” threads really drive that home. Is anyone even still around here?

I still work for the same diagnostic lab. I was finally allowed to switch to full time virtual pathology in October 2022. I love the work from home life and it’s nice to be back with family and friends.

Outside of work…I’m saving to buy land and build a house. Just waiting on the right piece of land to come along. I’m being picky on location since this would theoretically be a “forever home”. It’s still just me and the two dogs, which is nice most of the time. The dogs are my main expense…I mean hobby, lol. We travel throughout our region 1-2 weekends a month for dog sports, like scentwork, conformation shows, and barn hunt.
 
We built ours in 2021-2022. It’s a lot. Lots of choices, lots of babysitting. That realization that no one cares about how things are done nearly as much as you do, so you have to be diligent.

I can’t offer much advice on who to pick since we don’t actually live that close but, just know it will keep you busy. Our barrel-racing classmate is just finishing a build too, but more of a barndominium style vs. ours, which is more like an oversized modern craftsman.

Don’t skimp on the roof, the HVAC, or the insulation. I have 0 regret of the tankless water heater or the lack of carpet. Consider a screened porch if the mosquitoes like you as much as they do my husband. And make your garage just a little bigger than you think you need… just in case you decide you need a Ford Raptor. Like my husband.

Also closets and outlets, closets and outlets.
 
I fully planned to talk to you and that classmate you mentioned if/when I go forward with it. It’s still just a thought at this point. But all the houses on land around here are either gut-jobs that haven’t been updated since an old grandpa built it in the 60s-70s or like 3500 sq ft… I don’t need a huge house for one person, nor do I want to heat and cool one that large. And I’d rather get exactly what I want rather than do a gut renovation on an old house if I have to make all the decisions and deal with a construction zone.

After living in Florida I became a screened porch convert, so if I do build, that’s on the must-have list for sure. And I drive a Ford Expedition nowadays because I needed more air-conditioned cargo space for the dog car kennels and all their dog show paraphernalia…I do need a fairly large garage!
 
twelvetigers said:
Is it just the four of us in here now? @JaynaAli @Trilt @DVMDream ? I don't think anyone else has stuck around

How bonkers is it that out of everyone here, two of us left graduated from the same school/class? Heh
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Trilt and DVMD may have been the class after us?

No big changes here. Still with the same lab, still working from home. No plans to ever change that until my job is replaced by AI someday and I’m forced out. I actually talked to our classmate who has an Akita on the phone yesterday because I had a sample from them, so that was fun. Dog sports are still my main hobby. I did buy land last fall and I’m meeting with a home builder next week for an initial consultation about building a house…it’s exciting and makes me want to vomit at the thought of actually spending that much money. Oh and I have honeybees now. That’s the only really new development lol.
 
JaynaAli said:
Trilt and DVMD may have been the class after us?

No big changes here. Still with the same lab, still working from home. No plans to ever change that until my job is replaced by AI someday and I’m forced out. I actually talked to our classmate who has an Akita on the phone yesterday because I had a sample from them, so that was fun. Dog sports are still my main hobby. I did buy land last fall and I’m meeting with a home builder next week for an initial consultation about building a house…it’s exciting and makes me want to vomit at the thought of actually spending that much money. Oh and I have honeybees now. That’s the only really new development lol.
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So wait, if they aren't our class then it's literally just the two of us? How the frick did that happen?

I know you have beeeeees I saw them on FB lol. I enjoy seeing your doggies get ribbons.

I'm trying to think who has an akita. Meow meow? That's my best guess.

I don't have friends or hobbies, I just have a husband and a newly disintegrated kidney stone. And I don't post on FB anymore. Sometimes I think about leaving because it sucks. But then I wouldn't see beeeees
 
twelvetigers said:
So wait, if they aren't our class then it's literally just the two of us? How the frick did that happen?

I know you have beeeeees I saw them on FB lol. I enjoy seeing your doggies get ribbons.

I'm trying to think who has an akita. Meow meow? That's my best guess.

I don't have friends or hobbies, I just have a husband and a newly disintegrated kidney stone. And I don't post on FB anymore. Sometimes I think about leaving because it sucks. But then I wouldn't see beeeees
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Yes, that person. With a last name I couldn’t spell if I wanted to.
 
JaynaAli said:
Trilt and DVMD may have been the class after us?

No big changes here. Still with the same lab, still working from home. No plans to ever change that until my job is replaced by AI someday and I’m forced out. I actually talked to our classmate who has an Akita on the phone yesterday because I had a sample from them, so that was fun. Dog sports are still my main hobby. I did buy land last fall and I’m meeting with a home builder next week for an initial consultation about building a house…it’s exciting and makes me want to vomit at the thought of actually spending that much money. Oh and I have honeybees now. That’s the only really new development lol.
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Yeah Trilt and I are 2016 grads.
 
twelvetigers said:
Well fart. And I don't think there's any pre-2015 kiddos left either, at least not reliably.

I guess that explains why reading old posts in here feels a bit like when Mr. Brightside comes on in a bar (or, uh... idk, the grocery store? I don't go to bars)
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I’m around every once in awhile. But man we are getting old
 
twelvetigers said:
Well fart. And I don't think there's any pre-2015 kiddos left either, at least not reliably.

I guess that explains why reading old posts in here feels a bit like when Mr. Brightside comes on in a bar (or, uh... idk, the grocery store? I don't go to bars)
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I still lurk. I think I just have less and less to say. I feel more like an old fart and don’t have a whole lot I can relate to with the college kids who feel younger and younger each year.

My personal and work life revolve around survival and ensuring I can see a path of relative peace for the next 25+ years until I can hopefully retire. Holy crap that is depressing. I’ve been in it 11 years and I still have that long to go! Pretty sure I’ve already hit my professional prime… my hope is to maintain it and not end up as one of those pearl clutching hacks that holds on to practicing medicine from days gone by. I’ve aged sooooooooo much and not gracefully at all over the past 5 years. I went from feeling like i just graduated to a washed up gray haired middle aged person. I’ve hit 40, and honestly I feel 50 😭. When you’re in this state of wondering what’s happening to your nonexistent metabolism and wondering if you’ll survive to grandmahood, my career goal has shifted to just not letting much in my day to day bother me. Not my circus not my monkeys. And even if it is my circus and monkeys… well… finding inner peace with the dumpster fire behind me, and just closing that lid to put it out and not caring about how it happened or whose fault it was, and moving on. My goals and professional perspectives at this point are not exciting at all for all the early career people whose world is their oyster.

So… I don’t have a lot to say about gpa this and extracurricular that. Or the struggles of the vet students who at the end of the day don’t have a whole lot of responsibilities (though yes agreed, vet school sorts sucks too, but it’s quite transient)… or the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt that they have already taken out and will shoulder for eternity regardless of what they do. Once in a while I’ll find a thread where I feel like I have something to add, but that is rarer and rarer these days.
 
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