RANT HERE thread

[SkiOtter]

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🙁

I’m sorry rocky🙁
My PMs, snap, and fb messenger are always open if you ever want to talk and pass the time so you’re not as lonely 😍

 

[Squeaksmom]

God I hate beta agonists! I mean don't get me wrong, I love breathing, but if my heart rate could not be 120 and almost too shaky to type that'd also be cool....

 

[Coopah]

Please don't quote.

 

[ziggyandjazzy]

@Coopah I can't stand children either. I dont have much advice, just know I am here and listening *hugs*

 

[Mountainhart]

First off, I am happy for everyone who had interviews and has already received acceptances this cycle. It's pretty darn cool how supportive we all are of each other. This has been eating at me for awhile and I've been scared to say it out loud to anyone because I'm so mentally exhausted and embarrassed. I applied to my IS (WSU) for the third time this cycle. I have over 5000 hours of experience (2500 of direct experience with a veterinarian). I had five LORs (2 from board certified veterinarians). My experience covers every facet of vet med from wildlife research and rehab to agriculture and everything in between, including lab animals. I was involved in campus leadership in two separate positions, I worked full time during undergrad, and I have volunteered a decent amount. I did a file review last year and Dr. Talcott told me to raise my GPA (when I graduated it was a 3.1, so.. yikes, I know. BUT I did raise my GPA. I have consistently taken classes since graduation on top of working full time in brain research and volunteering on the weekends. I have taken five classes and received all A's. Now my last 45 GPA is a 3.7. Still straight rejection this year, not even an interview. I am going crazy. WHAT CAN I POSSIBLY DO

I'm so sorry to complain so much I completely understand that there are SO many deserving applicants, and honestly the profession and the animals can only benefit from having such a quality group of candidates, but i really feel like I've poured my heart and soul into this, and I'll continue to do so, its just frustrating

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

First off, I am happy for everyone who had interviews and has already received acceptances this cycle. It's pretty darn cool how supportive we all are of each other. This has been eating at me for awhile and I've been scared to say it out loud to anyone because I'm so mentally exhausted and embarrassed. I applied to my IS (WSU) for the third time this cycle. I have over 5000 hours of experience (2500 of direct experience with a veterinarian). I had five LORs (2 from board certified veterinarians). My experience covers every facet of vet med from wildlife research and rehab to agriculture and everything in between, including lab animals. I was involved in campus leadership in two separate positions, I worked full time during undergrad, and I have volunteered a decent amount. I did a file review last year and Dr. Talcott told me to raise my GPA (when I graduated it was a 3.1, so.. yikes, I know. BUT I did raise my GPA. I have consistently taken classes since graduation on top of working full time in brain research and volunteering on the weekends. I have taken five classes and received all A's. Now my last 45 GPA is a 3.7. Still straight rejection this year, not even an interview. I am going crazy. WHAT CAN I POSSIBLY DO

I'm so sorry to complain so much I completely understand that there are SO many deserving applicants, and honestly the profession and the animals can only benefit from having such a quality group of candidates, but i really feel like I've poured my heart and soul into this, and I'll continue to do so, its just frustrating

I had a pretty low-average GPA (I think VMCAS calculated my cum at like 3.55, science at 3.45, and last 45 at 3.35 or something similar). The file review I did wasn't especially helpful actually because she really didn't have any negatives for me..

If you are able to, can you put together your individual hours/experiences, GRE scores, etc? (See: What are my chances for format)
I am IS at WSU and it took me 3 tries to get in so we were in pretty similar boats. If you'd like to post in What are my chances for multiple opinions, do that, or if you'd like to PM me directly, that's fine too. I'd also be interested in seeing your essays as well as specifically which classes you had a low GPA in.

@MixedAnimals77 may also be of some help.

 

[MixedAnimals77]

First off, I am happy for everyone who had interviews and has already received acceptances this cycle. It's pretty darn cool how supportive we all are of each other. This has been eating at me for awhile and I've been scared to say it out loud to anyone because I'm so mentally exhausted and embarrassed. I applied to my IS (WSU) for the third time this cycle. I have over 5000 hours of experience (2500 of direct experience with a veterinarian). I had five LORs (2 from board certified veterinarians). My experience covers every facet of vet med from wildlife research and rehab to agriculture and everything in between, including lab animals. I was involved in campus leadership in two separate positions, I worked full time during undergrad, and I have volunteered a decent amount. I did a file review last year and Dr. Talcott told me to raise my GPA (when I graduated it was a 3.1, so.. yikes, I know. BUT I did raise my GPA. I have consistently taken classes since graduation on top of working full time in brain research and volunteering on the weekends. I have taken five classes and received all A's. Now my last 45 GPA is a 3.7. Still straight rejection this year, not even an interview. I am going crazy. WHAT CAN I POSSIBLY DO

I'm so sorry to complain so much I completely understand that there are SO many deserving applicants, and honestly the profession and the animals can only benefit from having such a quality group of candidates, but i really feel like I've poured my heart and soul into this, and I'll continue to do so, its just frustrating

I think coffee will probably be the most helpful since she experienced something similar. Did you do a review with Talcott this go around? Other suggestions would be to relook over your essays you submit. How do they come off, are you submitting the same thing everytime, etc? How are you presenting your view of vet med and how you fit in it. When you're taking extra classes is it like 2 at a time vs a full course load, extra classes vs a masters, fun classes vs hard core science etc etc. Just thinking of different things that may be influencing their decisions that are subtle that one wouldnt necessarily think of out right.My pm box is always open as well 🙂

 

[Mountainhart]

I had a pretty low-average GPA (I think VMCAS calculated my cum at like 3.55, science at 3.45, and last 45 at 3.35 or something similar). The file review I did wasn't especially helpful actually because she really didn't have any negatives for me..

If you are able to, can you put together your individual hours/experiences, GRE scores, etc? (See: What are my chances for format)
I am IS at WSU and it took me 3 tries to get in so we were in pretty similar boats. If you'd like to post in What are my chances for multiple opinions, do that, or if you'd like to PM me directly, that's fine too. I'd also be interested in seeing your essays as well as specifically which classes you had a low GPA in.

@MixedAnimals77 may also be of some help.

Thank you!!

Okay, here goes:
Major: B.S in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Conservation Biology and Ecology
Cum GPA (undergrad only): 3.1
Science GPA (undergrad only): 2.89 ( I know, I know 🙁

Since graduating college and taking extra classes:
Last 45 GPA: 3.7.
OVERALL Science: 3.05 (all A's in science classes since graduating).
OVERALL GPA: 3.2

I know this really doesn't look good, but I took full time classes as well as working full time and have pulled straight A's. I'm also taking another 15 credits this winter quarter so that'll help. It's so hard to raise my GPA after having 170+ credits in undergrad.

Veterinary/Animal Experience:
2012 (high school): 4 hours/week for 1.5 years volunteering in wildlife rehab
2013 (high school): I week internship at large animal clinic in North Dakota. With a veterinarian
2015 (college): worked on an agriculture study that involved caring for 48 steers and got my name on the paper (15hrs/week for 1 semester)
2016 summer : internship at wildlife rescue org. 20 hours/week for 4 months
2017(college): veterinary assistant at mixed animal practice (20 hours/week for 1 year). With a veterinarian
2017(college): equine class in college
2018(college): internship for lambing season on local ranch (10 hours/week for 3 months)
**** During these dates I also worked an additional 20 hours in my university IT center, so I was working full time
2018: wildlife study working in remote backcountry conditions (40+ hours/week for 3.5 months) also got my name on a paper
2018: veterinary assistant at exotic animal clinic (40 hours/week for 8 months). With a veterinarian
2019-Current: Research associate for brain science company working with lab animals (40 hours a week since march-current). With a veterinarian that comes in several days a week
current: also volunteering at a farm animal rescue on weekends


Letters of Recommendation:
1) Board certified avian vet and board certified small mammal vet (both WSU grads, husband/wife so they wrote me a letter together)
2) Professor from undergrad, also the professor that I worked on the wildlife study with
3) current manager in brain science
4) PhD in my company
5) personal reference from a former boss that was also a classmate and worked with me on the wildlife study

GRE
Verbal Reasoning: 160 (86th percentile)
Quantitative Reasoning: 154 (53rd percentile)
Analytical Writing: 5.5 (98th percentile)

Also I am currently in charge of my own project at my job that will result in my company being coauthored on a paper and I have an article being published in a magazine to be released in July.
My lowest classes were in general chemistry (both C's, totally brought me down). Otherwise I mostly had Bs and some B-.
I don't have my essays anymore because my lovely computer decided it had lived a good life and was done. However, I feel pretty good about my writing and I had several people review them. I've also rewrote my essays each application cycle.

I did a file review last year and the only advice she gave me was to do more volunteering and to raise my GPA. I've done both, and am continuously working on the GPA. It's a little tough because she only comments on objective criteria and won't talk about weaknesses in essays/LORs, etc.

Thank you!!

Edit: also just to add to this, this has already been super helpful because I hadn't actually taken a good look at my science GPA before, and yep I can see a glaring problem right there.

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Thank you!!

Okay, here goes:
Major: B.S in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Conservation Biology and Ecology
Cum GPA (undergrad only): 3.1
Science GPA (undergrad only): 2.89 ( I know, I know 🙁

Since graduating college and taking extra classes:
Last 45 GPA: 3.7.
OVERALL Science: 3.05 (all A's in science classes since graduating).
OVERALL GPA: 3.2

I know this really doesn't look good, but I took full time classes as well as working full time and have pulled straight A's. I'm also taking another 15 credits this winter quarter so that'll help. It's so hard to raise my GPA after having 170+ credits in undergrad.

Veterinary/Animal Experience:
2012 (high school): 4 hours/week for 1.5 years volunteering in wildlife rehab
2013 (high school): I week internship at large animal clinic in North Dakota. With a veterinarian
2015 (college): worked on an agriculture study that involved caring for 48 steers and got my name on the paper (15hrs/week for 1 semester)
2016 summer : internship at wildlife rescue org. 20 hours/week for 4 months
2017(college): veterinary assistant at mixed animal practice (20 hours/week for 1 year). With a veterinarian
2017(college): equine class in college
2018(college): internship for lambing season on local ranch (10 hours/week for 3 months)
**** During these dates I also worked an additional 20 hours in my university IT center, so I was working full time
2018: wildlife study working in remote backcountry conditions (40+ hours/week for 3.5 months) also got my name on a paper
2018: veterinary assistant at exotic animal clinic (40 hours/week for 8 months). With a veterinarian
2019-Current: Research associate for brain science company working with lab animals (40 hours a week since march-current). With a veterinarian that comes in several days a week
current: also volunteering at a farm animal rescue on weekends


Letters of Recommendation:
1) Board certified avian vet and board certified small mammal vet (both WSU grads, husband/wife so they wrote me a letter together)
2) Professor from undergrad, also the professor that I worked on the wildlife study with
3) current manager in brain science
4) PhD in my company
5) personal reference from a former boss that was also a classmate and worked with me on the wildlife study

GRE
Verbal Reasoning: 160 (86th percentile)
Quantitative Reasoning: 154 (53rd percentile)
Analytical Writing: 5.5 (98th percentile)

Also I am currently in charge of my own project at my job that will result in my company being coauthored on a paper and I have an article being published in a magazine to be released in July.
My lowest classes were in general chemistry (both C's, totally brought me down). Otherwise I mostly had Bs and some B-.
I don't have my essays anymore because my lovely computer decided it had lived a good life and was done. However, I feel pretty good about my writing and I had several people review them. I've also rewrote my essays each application cycle.

I did a file review last year and the only advice she gave me was to do more volunteering and to raise my GPA. I've done both, and am continuously working on the GPA. It's a little tough because she only comments on objective criteria and won't talk about weaknesses in essays/LORs, etc.

Thank you!!

Edit: also just to add to this, this has already been super helpful because I hadn't actually taken a good look at my science GPA before, and yep I can see a glaring problem right there.

OK I'm going to break down the most common areas used for admissions formulas.
I also suggest if you haven't, to ask VMCAS for a copy of your application for your own purposes (you will see how they calculate GPAs and then have your hours handy)

Academics

• GPA
  • As far as how to help your GPA, I have a few points
    • Retaking any classes where you got a C or lower can be beneficial. At your school they may replace your old grade with the new grade. Unless things have changed, for vet school applications standard is to average out the two grades even if your transcript shows it differently. (if you have a 5 credit class with a C and retake it and get an A, it averages to (4.0*5+2.0*5)/10=3.0 or a B)
    • Taking more classes at a community college (I have no idea where you are taking them, I just think it's an important point) is a poor move because they are considered less challenging than university classes. Admissions teams want to see you getting higher grades in even harder classes, which brings me to my final point
    • If you aren't in a masters program already, and want to continue taking classes, that's definitely something you should consider for: 1) it gives you a fallback, if you decide not to pursue veterinary medicine and wisely select your masters program 2) the classes are over 400 level which will look pretty good on your application, if you can keep your grades up
• GRE
  • Your GRE is pretty good, which I bet you've figured out already. The only area that could stand for some improvement is quantitative. Some schools weigh GRE higher than others, of course, and I'm not sure where WSU stands for that. I will say that I'm also aware many schools just look at Q/V scores and not the writing portion, which is unfortunate because that's your highest score. However, if there is a point in time (such as the summer) where you aren't taking any or many classes, you could consider studying to retake the GRE, and go through with taking it if you could be confident you could raise your quantitative score into the 75+ percentile.

Experiences

• I agree that they are well varied
• Just be sure that everything is sorted properly (anything research based, with or without a veterinarian, gets shifted to the research section of VMCAS)
• Not sure what type of volunteer experience you have, but if you are able to get some working with people, that's a plus (a lot of people get it through church, I didn't but I did mentorship with underprivileged children through my university and cooking for the homeless)
• Do you have any leadership experiences? Sports growing up, club memberships, etc? If so, hopefully those are all listed accordingly in your application as well

Other:
LORs, Essays, Achievements

• Based on your GRE writing score, I also trust your essays are well-written. Just so you know, you don't need to rewrite them each year. I rewrote mine for the second cycle because my values had changed a lot but just edited it slightly for my third cycle, when I was accepted. They hopefully already strongly address the fact that you have a lot of research experience. Also, ideally you're receiving feedback based on content vs just spelling, etc.

 

[Mountainhart]

I think coffee will probably be the most helpful since she experienced something similar. Did you do a review with Talcott this go around? Other suggestions would be to relook over your essays you submit. How do they come off, are you submitting the same thing everytime, etc? How are you presenting your view of vet med and how you fit in it. When you're taking extra classes is it like 2 at a time vs a full course load, extra classes vs a masters, fun classes vs hard core science etc etc. Just thinking of different things that may be influencing their decisions that are subtle that one wouldnt necessarily think of out right.My pm box is always open as well 🙂

Thank you for responding! I have scheduled a file review, but it will be in March. I have changed my essays each year. I think the first year's essays could have been better, but I felt really good about these most recent ones. I had them reviewed by multiple people, including vets, so I think they're okay. I did struggle with not being able to get as specific as I would like due to the character count.

I've been taking 15 credits/quarter on top of working full time and volunteering on the weekends. I have taken Microbiology, Cellular Biology, Public Speaking, Medical Terminology, Physics II and Organic Chemistry II.

I think my plan is to retake the GRE to get a higher math score and continue with classes. I would love to do a masters program, and I absolutely love prion diseases, so a program focused on that niche of diseases would be awesome, but I'm also trying to be financially smart. I make a very good living for myself in research and I've been able to save a lot to reduce the debt that I'll have after vet school, so it would be a very tough choice to go into a program with a very limited income while in school. It would significantly impact the debt I take on. I'll have to really sit down and think about this one

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Thank you for responding! I have scheduled a file review, but it will be in March. I have changed my essays each year. I think the first year's essays could have been better, but I felt really good about these most recent ones. I had them reviewed by multiple people, including vets, so I think they're okay. I did struggle with not being able to get as specific as I would like due to the character count.

I've been taking 15 credits/quarter on top of working full time and volunteering on the weekends. I have taken Microbiology, Cellular Biology, Public Speaking, Medical Terminology, Physics II and Organic Chemistry II.

I think my plan is to retake the GRE to get a higher math score and continue with classes. I would love to do a masters program, and I absolutely love prion diseases, so a program focused on that niche of diseases would be awesome, but I'm also trying to be financially smart. I make a very good living for myself in research and I've been able to save a lot to reduce the debt that I'll have after vet school, so it would be a very tough choice to go into a program with a very limited income while in school. It would significantly impact the debt I take on. I'll have to really sit down and think about this one

I think you have a pretty solid handle on what you need. Coffee already hit any points I was going to. I wish you all the luck. Keep trooping on!

 

[that redhead]

@FutureResearchVet Don’t forget to take the chance to really toot your own horn when it comes to your last 45. I know it’s hard but you want to emphasize that you had a rough time...and have now figured it all out and are totally ready for the vet school rigor.

Another thing is to practice interviewing (if they do interviews, I have no idea on school specifics). I think a lot of applicants are weaker than they believe in that section and that’s your chance to seal the deal. So have friends, family, advisors, professors, etc as mock interviewers to practice and make sure you’re solid there 🙂

 

[mammalade]

Don’t quote, I might remove later.

 

[deleted676737]

That’s really weird. If your legal name has been changed and your VMCAS and all other materials have your new name... I don’t even understand how they’d have your deadname on file. That is confusing. Did you apply to them in a prior year, maybe?

At any rate, I am so sorry to hear that that happened to you. *hugs*

 

[Trilt]

I wonder if they pulled it off an old transcript or something? Still ****ty.

 

[mammalade]

This was my first time applying. It is on my VMCAS as a previous name because my community college transcripts are under that name, but no other school has adressed me by that name.

 

[vetmedhead]

X

I'm really sorry to hear this happened to you. If you're up for it, you might consider emailing their admissions team and letting them know about this - I know for sure that quite a few people on the admissions team, including the director of admissions especially, would be really invested in figuring out why this happened and making sure it doesn't happen again to anyone else.

 

[Stroganoff]

It's gotta be because of VMCAS/transcripts. That seems the most likely to me.

 

[killerleaf]

Is it possible the system substituted preferred name with previous?

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[mammalade]

My first assumption was that the system did it automatically somehow, but the email was sent by an individual rather than being an automatic email from the system, so I don't think it was auto-populated. My legal name was the only name I provided in my email. I'm sure it wasn't done on purpose, I'm just wondering where it came from, most likely my old transcripts I suppose.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Don’t quote please:

Humans just disappoint me. I was rear-ended a week ago. The girl refused to get in contact with the claims agent until today...and now she’s telling them that the reason she ran into me was because someone ran into her first. Which is absolute crap for so many reasons.

I just want my car fixed 🙁

 

[vetmedhead]

I know how you feel. I'm still furious and hurt that the person who drove me off the road and into a pole at 70 mph this summer just drove off. I feel bad about holding so much resentment about it but I still wish nothing but bad things for them and I hope they had a crappy Christmas

 

[mmmdreamerz]

I know how you feel. I'm still furious and hurt that the person who drove me off the road and into a pole at 70 mph this summer just drove off. I feel bad about holding so much resentment about it but I still wish nothing but bad things for them and I hope they had a crappy Christmas

Oh that’s terrible. I’m so glad you were okay! It’s just hard because in this situation, if our roles were reversed, I would admit fault and move on...because it was my fault. I can’t even fathom lying. This year has just really burnt me out and I feel cynical/apathetic towards most things.

 

[deleted676737]

Been at this job for over a year, but I don’t know that I’ll ever fully be completely comfortable with watching a patient’s heart fail live and in real-time on the monitors. It just hits me sometimes.

 

[ajs513]

I posted this to my Facebook but I’m posting it here too because I’m just really livid over it. To some people it might seem really small to get pissed off over, but I think you guys will understand.


I’m house sitting and was taking the dog for a walk. Let me preface by saying that this dog is 1. The sweetest dog ever, 2. A 13 year old lab, and 3. Has arthritis, hypothyroidism, and spondylitis. So I’m walking her and see some guy with some sort of doodle breed dog walking towards us and talking on the phone. He has a retractable leash. I pull the dog over onto the grass so they can pass with some distance in between us.

Being an irresponsible dog owner as many with retractable leashes can be, the leash extends and the dog gets away from him. He scrambles to get control of her. Meanwhile I’m putting myself between my dog and his dog just in case, but I can tell this dog doesn’t mean any trouble and is just curious. The owner then has the nerve to say to me, “why don’t you move your dog a little faster?” To which I say “she’s 13 years old...” Somehow still trying to make it my fault, he says “well I don’t want anything to happen.” Great! Then keep your dog under control like I was so that this doesn’t happen. You have a young doodle breed with a lot of energy. There’s nothing wrong with that. But know how to handle that energy.

Moral of the story: don’t be that guy.

 

[alissa14]

I posted this to my Facebook but I’m posting it here too because I’m just really livid over it. To some people it might seem really small to get pissed off over, but I think you guys will understand.


I’m house sitting and was taking the dog for a walk. Let me preface by saying that this dog is 1. The sweetest dog ever, 2. A 13 year old lab, and 3. Has arthritis, hypothyroidism, and spondylitis. So I’m walking her and see some guy with some sort of doodle breed dog walking towards us and talking on the phone. He has a retractable leash. I pull the dog over onto the grass so they can pass with some distance in between us.

Being an irresponsible dog owner as many with retractable leashes can be, the leash extends and the dog gets away from him. He scrambles to get control of her. Meanwhile I’m putting myself between my dog and his dog just in case, but I can tell this dog doesn’t mean any trouble and is just curious. The owner then has the nerve to say to me, “why don’t you move your dog a little faster?” To which I say “she’s 13 years old...” Somehow still trying to make it my fault, he says “well I don’t want anything to happen.” Great! Then keep your dog under control like I was so that this doesn’t happen. You have a young doodle breed with a lot of energy. There’s nothing wrong with that. But know how to handle that energy.

Moral of the story: don’t be that guy.

wow... full of things I dislike...
1. Doodles - yeah they’re cute-ish but they can such varying personalities that you can’t trust them
2. Retractable leashes- THE WORST
3. Stupid owners

no worries, I’d be pissed too

 

[alissa14]

Been at this job for over a year, but I don’t know that I’ll ever fully be completely comfortable with watching a patient’s heart fail live and in real-time on the monitors. It just hits me sometimes.

what is your job/ what do you do?

 

[deleted676737]

what is your job/ what do you do?

I work at a (human) hospital as a cardiac monitor/telemetry technician. Basically, I watch/read/interpret/record patients’ heart rhythms live on monitors and call nurses, doctors, or other providers if I see any arrhythmias or other cardiac events unfolding. I occasionally do Holter monitors, too. I also help nurses interpret 12-lead EKGs. So, yeah, when a patient dies, I actually get to see their heart go into vtach, vfib, and then asystole/PEA in real-time on the monitor; thankfully, the few deaths I’ve seen so far have all been DNRs and were expected... but it’s still an oddly humbling experience.

Eh. It’s funny, cardiophys and EKG interpretation were easily the worst part of phys for me in vet school. Now I’m here doing nothing but those things 50+ hours/week.

 

[alissa14]

I work at a (human) hospital as a cardiac monitor/telemetry technician. Basically, I watch/read/interpret/record patients’ heart rhythms live on monitors and call nurses, doctors, or other providers if I see any arrhythmias or other cardiac events unfolding. I occasionally do Holter monitors, too. I also help nurses interpret 12-lead EKGs. So, yeah, when a patient dies, I actually get to see their heart go into vtach, vfib, and then asystole/PEA in real-time on the monitor; thankfully, the few deaths I’ve seen so far have all been DNRs and were expected... but it’s still an oddly humbling experience.

Eh. It’s funny, cardiophys and EKG interpretation were easily the worst part of phys for me in vet school. Now I’m here doing nothing but those things 50+ hours/week.

wow this is crazy

 

[alissa14]

After reading some fellow rants... I’d like to post my own lil rant...

Does anyone else work in an environment where all or almost all of your coworkers political views are different than your own?

While I love my coworkers AND the doctors I work with. My manager, as well as the vet who owns the politics come off as quite conservative and largely in favor the President (US). I, on the other hand was raised very liberal (I was raised by lesbian parents If that explains anything lol). At work, politics are discussed CONSTANTLY, especially with the occurrence of recent events. Based on previous conversations, I have gathered that almost all if not all are pretty conservative. It honestly makes me very uncomfortable. I’ve never spoken up strongly with my opinions. I’m only an assistant who has worked there for about a year and a half. I am at the bottom of the totem pole so I fear major backlash if I speak out too strongly. Though I have shared some views, it was never anything hugely controversial. I can only assume they know I’m more liberal as all of my coworkers know about my familial situation and they’re all very accepting. Does anyone else have this issue? How do you deal with it? Advice? Tips? Should I just keep my head low and suck it up?

 

[that redhead]

@alissa14 I am very firmly in the “zero politics at work” camp and will just kind of smile and walk away when someone says something even remotely political. I’m in a very liberal part of the country and there is the assumption that everyone feels similarly, like in your situation but opposite parties.

I respect that many people are interested and invested in politics, but it is such a divisive topic that I don’t think it belongs in the workplace. If it makes you uncomfortable, I personally think your best option is to say something vague like, “I don’t really like to talk about politics” and just leave the situation. I think everyone is entitled to their own opinions and so long as it isn’t hindering their ability to work and get along with others, it’s all cool in my book.

 

[alissa14]

@that redhead I fear backlash even trying to say “I don’t like to talk about politics.” Because clearly, THEY do. And like I said, I’m bottom of the totem pole... we all get along pretty well. It’s just the discussion makes me feel uncomfortable and the odd one out...

 

[that redhead]

@that redhead I fear backlash even trying to say “I don’t like to talk about politics.” Because clearly, THEY do. And like I said, I’m bottom of the totem pole... we all get along pretty well. It’s just the discussion makes me feel uncomfortable and the odd one out...

You should never be penalized for saying you don’t want to talk about something, especially politics as many people don’t like to talk about that subject. If coworkers are hounding you to participate in political conversations, I’d find a new job where either people’s views obviously align with your own or you just don’t talk about it at work.

 

[alissa14]

You should never be penalized for saying you don’t want to talk about something, especially politics as many people don’t like to talk about that subject. If coworkers are hounding you to participate in political conversations, I’d find a new job where either people’s views obviously align with your own or you just don’t talk about it at work.

They don’t hound me thankfully. I usually just smile and walk away... nonetheless it still makes me uncomfortable. Then I go home after a 12 hour shift and unload all of that angst onto my poor, supporting boyfriend haha

 

[Trilt]

After reading some fellow rants... I’d like to post my own lil rant...

Does anyone else work in an environment where all or almost all of your coworkers political views are different than your own?

While I love my coworkers AND the doctors I work with. My manager, as well as the vet who owns the politics come off as quite conservative and largely in favor the President (US). I, on the other hand was raised very liberal (I was raised by lesbian parents If that explains anything lol). At work, politics are discussed CONSTANTLY, especially with the occurrence of recent events. Based on previous conversations, I have gathered that almost all if not all are pretty conservative. It honestly makes me very uncomfortable. I’ve never spoken up strongly with my opinions. I’m only an assistant who has worked there for about a year and a half. I am at the bottom of the totem pole so I fear major backlash if I speak out too strongly. Though I have shared some views, it was never anything hugely controversial. I can only assume they know I’m more liberal as all of my coworkers know about my familial situation and they’re all very accepting. Does anyone else have this issue? How do you deal with it? Advice? Tips? Should I just keep my head low and suck it up?

I am an atheist liberal poly immigrant type and work in a clinic where my boss' wife helped run the Trump campaign in our county... like literally meetings in our conference room, ha. You're not alone.

But honestly, they know I'm not of similar political persuasion and I just avoid the topic mostly. It's work. Sex and politics should be kept as separate as possible to avoid drama. 😛

 

[MixedAnimals77]

A nurse who I went to school with asking FB what might be wrong with her dog. For the love of all that is, just take it to the vet. You're no better than the patients you complain about.

 

[blueheeler]

I called and they said there are no available dates for me to reschedule to lmao.

UPDATE:: I was able to successfully reschedule my jury duty summons date to early February just now!!!

 

[SARdoghandler]

A series of unfortunate events in SAR's life.

Part one, get invited by mother to go get pedicure. Realize 5 minutes before leaving that you have hairy legs. Quick shave in the sink because sure I've had adverse shaving reactions on my legs at times but it's never been that bad.

Part two, get pedicure including nice exfoliating leg scrub. Notice slight burning sensation.

Part 3, discover that you razor burnt your legs and then had them exfoliated. Mild to moderate itching begins. Remember that you sometimes have strange autoimmune like reaction to shaving shins that results in mild to moderate itching. Curse your poor past self for doing this to you.

Part four, wake up at 4 am with 10/10 level pruritis and massive hives all over shins that touching causes intense pain and burning on top of the itching. Wonder what God you have pissed off to be in this situation.

Part five, live like this for the next 36 hours and survive mainly on benadryl to help sleep through it, aloe gel, and ice compresses. At some point I should probably go to a dermatologist because this is definitely not a normal reaction to razor burn but I don't need the additional stress in my life when this could have all been avoided with some common sense.




TL;dr: I made poor life choices and now the skin on my shins looks reptilian in both texture and shape and is rivalled only by it's bright red pattern warning others of my poisonous abilities I guess?

 

[Coopah]

A series of unfortunate events in SAR's life.

Part one, get invited by mother to go get pedicure. Realize 5 minutes before leaving that you have hairy legs. Quick shave in the sink because sure I've had adverse shaving reactions on my legs at times but it's never been that bad.

Part two, get pedicure including nice exfoliating leg scrub. Notice slight burning sensation.

Part 3, discover that you razor burnt your legs and then had them exfoliated. Mild to moderate itching begins. Remember that you sometimes have strange autoimmune like reaction to shaving shins that results in mild to moderate itching. Curse your poor past self for doing this to you.

Part four, wake up at 4 am with 10/10 level pruritis and massive hives all over shins that touching causes intense pain and burning on top of the itching. Wonder what God you have pissed off to be in this situation.

Part five, live like this for the next 36 hours and survive mainly on benadryl to help sleep through it, aloe gel, and ice compresses. At some point I should probably go to a dermatologist because this is definitely not a normal reaction to razor burn but I don't need the additional stress in my life when this could have all been avoided with some common sense.




TL;dr: I made poor life choices and now the skin on my shins looks reptilian in both texture and shape and is rivalled only by it's bright red pattern warning others of my poisonous abilities I guess?

Having been bitten by bedbugs and probably not as itchy as you I feel you pain. Sorry 🙁

 

[deleted676737]

So, yeah, when a patient dies, I actually get to see their heart go into vtach, vfib, and then asystole/PEA in real-time on the monitor; thankfully, the few deaths I’ve seen so far have all been DNRs and were expected...

Well, that officially ended today. Had my first code at work. Guy with some hardcore CHF in chronic afib went into a full-on accelerated ventricular rhythm and then vfib. Compressions were started pretty much immediately but it wasn’t enough, unfortunately.

I know it’s not my fault, but I can’t help but feel like I must have missed something. I was consulting with a doctor about another patient so by the time I’d noticed the rhythm change, a few seconds after it happened, and was about to call, the code button had already been pushed. I feel like if I hadn’t been speaking with that doctor or had been paying better attention, maybe I would have seen some warning signs on the monitor that something was about to happen and this could have prevented. An ER doc said that it looked like a QT elongation issue and there wasn’t anything that could have been done at that stage, except maybe give some Mg+, but it doesn’t assuage my doubts at all.

So ends my year+ streak of no codes.

 

[Melchizedek]

Well, that officially ended today. Had my first code at work. Guy with some hardcore CHF in chronic afib went into a full-on accelerated ventricular rhythm and then vfib. Compressions were started pretty much immediately but it wasn’t enough, unfortunately.

I know it’s not my fault, but I can’t help but feel like I must have missed something. I was consulting with a doctor about another patient so by the time I’d noticed the rhythm change, a few seconds after it happened, and was about to call, the code button had already been pushed. I feel like if I hadn’t been speaking with that doctor or had been paying better attention, maybe I would have seen some warning signs on the monitor that something was about to happen and this could have prevented. An ER doc said that it looked like a QT elongation issue and there wasn’t anything that could have been done at that stage, except maybe give some Mg+, but it doesn’t assuage my doubts at all.

So ends my year+ streak of no codes.

Sorry to hear that. Codes are rough no matter what, and I almost always felt the same way (was there anything else we could have done?).

Are you on Cardiac step-down or just a plain tele floor? I used to work Cardiac ICU as an RN and we couldn't go three weeks without a code.

 

[deleted676737]

Sorry to hear that. Codes are rough no matter what, and I almost always felt the same way (was there anything else we could have done?).

Are you on Cardiac step-down or just a plain tele floor? I used to work Cardiac ICU as an RN and we couldn't go three weeks without a code.

I watch med/tele, PCU, and ICU. The actual code was a tele patient. It's a small hospital (though our census has been growing exponentially) so we don't have any dedicated cardiac units or anything like that.

 

[DVMDream]

Well, that officially ended today. Had my first code at work. Guy with some hardcore CHF in chronic afib went into a full-on accelerated ventricular rhythm and then vfib. Compressions were started pretty much immediately but it wasn’t enough, unfortunately.

I know it’s not my fault, but I can’t help but feel like I must have missed something. I was consulting with a doctor about another patient so by the time I’d noticed the rhythm change, a few seconds after it happened, and was about to call, the code button had already been pushed. I feel like if I hadn’t been speaking with that doctor or had been paying better attention, maybe I would have seen some warning signs on the monitor that something was about to happen and this could have prevented. An ER doc said that it looked like a QT elongation issue and there wasn’t anything that could have been done at that stage, except maybe give some Mg+, but it doesn’t assuage my doubts at all.

So ends my year+ streak of no codes.

Rule#1 of ER, if something dies within seconds, there's nothing you could have done to stop it. It is why most ER docs/vets are mostly fairly calm even when **** hits the fan, because we know this. I know if a pet dies in the few minutes I look something up or the few seconds walking in the door, I wasn't going to save it. There was no intervention that would've saved it. A few seconds wasn't changing the outcome for that patient, it takes time to get used to that but that's the honest truth. Don't beat yourself up, there's nothing you could've changed.

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Cookie is going under on Thursday to get her tongue mass biopsied. I really just wanted someone to lop it off but they won't do it without a biopsy at the VTH, and every other surgery center I talk to (the nearest one being 1.5 hours away) won't even give me an answer about if they'll do a surgery without a biopsy/CT scan without driving all the way there and paying a consulting fee first.

She's had the mass for 3+ years, and is 17, and I'm a broke veterinary student. I'm trying to make it clear that I have no intention of doing any chemo or therapy, so I don't care what it is, just want her to be comfortable. It's just been really frustrating to me to have this experience. When she broke her leg I had no problems calling around and finding the best option for us.

Edit:

Between the ages of 9 and 10 I spent 10k on medical problems because she was young and they were treatable. When she got older I thought ok I am just going to anything go now because she is old and I would just be delaying death. But she's not dying or sick she's just uncomfortable.

 

[battie]

@alissa14 not in the exact same situation as you, but when in a situation where I dont want to discuss politics, I am very firm in that I dont want to discuss the matter they want to bring up. Its frankly none of their business. The work place (to me) is work. It stays in that building. Likewise, my personal life has limited need to be at work. So it mostly stays outside the door. Politics fits nicely into that personal box that stays outside the door.

I can only assume they know I’m more liberal as all of my coworkers know about my familial situation and they’re all very accepting.

This quote stuck out to me in your post. Despite the discomfort you feel in this situation, I have (admittedly an outsider's) opinion that your coworkers wont be as hostile towards your deflections as you may think. They are already accepting of a very different viewpoint you live everyday. If you voiced your desire to not discuss politics because you dont want to, I think they'd be fine just dropping the topic.

 

[awesomenessity]

This might be long, but everyone I know is tired of me ranting about it so I'm going to rant at you guys now It should be noted before reading this that both farriers say that the easiest way to contact them is by text, lol.

So for the longest time I had two horses boarded here, and one of my horses likes to try and pretend to kick farriers so I had been using a farrier who was able to come out evenings/weekends when I was available to hold Manny. Otherwise I would have been leaving my Demon-Horse to be held by some poor innocent barn member who would probably get knocked over by said Demon-Horse on his quest to pretend-kick the farrier. A lot of liability I didn't want Anyway so I used this guy for 3 years with no problems, other than he's hard to get a hold of at the best of times.

I now only have one horse in town, so Original Farrier said that he doesn't want to come out just to trim one horse routinely. Ok fine, whatever, the horse that's in town is good for the farrier so I can just use Barn Farrier. I had Original Farrier come out one last time just to get Diego on the same schedule as the other barn horses and that was that.

Well trim time came around 3 weeks ago and Barn Farrier's assistant trimmed Diego. I didn't think much of it, assumed she did an ok job and put him out the field. Left my contact information for Barn Farrier so he could send me an invoice. Never heard from him.

2 weeks later (2 days before Christmas!) Diego cracks out a MASSIVE chip in his hoof wall. Texted Barn Farrier about it, and mention that I haven't received an invoice from him yet. Don't hear back from him. Texted Original Farrier about it. Hear back from him, but he seems super unwilling to come out to trim one hoof (understandable) and if he is able to come out, it would be a 5 min max appointment on his way to another appointment. Ok cool, I have hoof tools so I cleaned up the chip as best I could to get him through the holidays. Noted that Diego's hoof wall seemed unusually long for having been trimmed 2 weeks ago, and he usually only chips out when his hoof wall is long. Texted Barn Farrier and Original Farrier about their availability after Christmas. No response from either of them. Ok that's fine.

Come back from holidays, still no response from either farrier. Diego's foot is holding up okay, but I'm not riding him or anything so haven't inspected the bottom of his foot in a while. Notice on Wednesday that his hoof wall looks appallingly long when you pick up his feet. Barn Owner texts me to tell me Barn Farrier is supposed to come out soon to do an urgent trim/shoe for another boarder. Ask her what day/time this is happening. No response.

Text Original Farrier and Barn Farrier again on Wednesday. No reply from Barn Farrier. Told Original Farrier that I hadn't heard back from Barn Farrier at all, which is why I was texting him. Original Farrier says "wow, that must be super frustrating" and asks if I'm available Monday. I reply saying I am, just pick a time! Still have not heard back as of this morning. Texted Barn Owner asking again what day/time Barn Farrier is supposed to come out for the urgent trim. She replies he's coming out on January 29th, which is the day he was next scheduled in the first place. So... not helpful?

Anyway I am just super annoyed with no one replying to my messages while my horse has crappy looking feet. And I don't feel particularly comfortable doing a full trim for him on my own. Texted Original Farrier this morning again and now trying to decide how long I wait for him to reply before I just go on Kijiji or Facebook and find an entirely new farrier lol.

TL;DR: No one is replying to my messages about my horse with sad feet and this is making me sad, but at least i still haven't been charged for the original trim? lol

 

[Coopah]

This might be long, but everyone I know is tired of me ranting about it so I'm going to rant at you guys now It should be noted before reading this that both farriers say that the easiest way to contact them is by text, lol.

So for the longest time I had two horses boarded here, and one of my horses likes to try and pretend to kick farriers so I had been using a farrier who was able to come out evenings/weekends when I was available to hold Manny. Otherwise I would have been leaving my Demon-Horse to be held by some poor innocent barn member who would probably get knocked over by said Demon-Horse on his quest to pretend-kick the farrier. A lot of liability I didn't want Anyway so I used this guy for 3 years with no problems, other than he's hard to get a hold of at the best of times.

I now only have one horse in town, so Original Farrier said that he doesn't want to come out just to trim one horse routinely. Ok fine, whatever, the horse that's in town is good for the farrier so I can just use Barn Farrier. I had Original Farrier come out one last time just to get Diego on the same schedule as the other barn horses and that was that.

Well trim time came around 3 weeks ago and Barn Farrier's assistant trimmed Diego. I didn't think much of it, assumed she did an ok job and put him out the field. Left my contact information for Barn Farrier so he could send me an invoice. Never heard from him.

2 weeks later (2 days before Christmas!) Diego cracks out a MASSIVE chip in his hoof wall. Texted Barn Farrier about it, and mention that I haven't received an invoice from him yet. Don't hear back from him. Texted Original Farrier about it. Hear back from him, but he seems super unwilling to come out to trim one hoof (understandable) and if he is able to come out, it would be a 5 min max appointment on his way to another appointment. Ok cool, I have hoof tools so I cleaned up the chip as best I could to get him through the holidays. Noted that Diego's hoof wall seemed unusually long for having been trimmed 2 weeks ago, and he usually only chips out when his hoof wall is long. Texted Barn Farrier and Original Farrier about their availability after Christmas. No response from either of them. Ok that's fine.

Come back from holidays, still no response from either farrier. Diego's foot is holding up okay, but I'm not riding him or anything so haven't inspected the bottom of his foot in a while. Notice on Wednesday that his hoof wall looks appallingly long when you pick up his feet. Barn Owner texts me to tell me Barn Farrier is supposed to come out soon to do an urgent trim/shoe for another boarder. Ask her what day/time this is happening. No response.

Text Original Farrier and Barn Farrier again on Wednesday. No reply from Barn Farrier. Told Original Farrier that I hadn't heard back from Barn Farrier at all, which is why I was texting him. Original Farrier says "wow, that must be super frustrating" and asks if I'm available Monday. I reply saying I am, just pick a time! Still have not heard back as of this morning. Texted Barn Owner asking again what day/time Barn Farrier is supposed to come out for the urgent trim. She replies he's coming out on January 29th, which is the day he was next scheduled in the first place. So... not helpful?

Anyway I am just super annoyed with no one replying to my messages while my horse has crappy looking feet. And I don't feel particularly comfortable doing a full trim for him on my own. Texted Original Farrier this morning again and now trying to decide how long I wait for him to reply before I just go on Kijiji or Facebook and find an entirely new farrier lol.

TL;DR: No one is replying to my messages about my horse with sad feet and this is making me sad, but at least i still haven't been charged for the original trim? lol

That's super frustrating and I'm sorry

 

[awesomenessity]

That's super frustrating and I'm sorry

Thanks <3 Diego has always had crappy feet but this is the worst he's ever been... Extra frustrating because I was hoping to ride him a fair amount over the holiday break. But with him missing large chunk of hoof wall and also having long toes on that foot makes me a bit nervous to work him At least my farriery job seems to be holding up okay?

Sad times:

 

[awesomenessity]

Update: Organize a brand new farrier because it's been 12 hours and I still hadn't heard from Original Farrier. Literally 2 minutes after I get New Farrier set up, Original Farrier texts me about Monday

 

[SkiOtter]

Update: Organize a brand new farrier because it's been 12 hours and I still hadn't heard from Original Farrier. Literally 2 minutes after I get New Farrier set up, Original Farrier texts me about Monday

I’d still go with new farrier and see if they’re more freakin reliable and responsive.
Edit: especially since your original farrier doesn’t want to have to come out for just one horse regularly