Relatively new graduate experiencing burnout

[ABRVET]

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I'm looking for some advice regarding burnout and other issues in the workplace. I'm a relatively new graduate (just under 3 years post-graduation). Sorry for this being a fairly long post!

I knew going into this job that I would have to work with people, I never was in denial about that fact. But recently I've had so many clients who "just want vaccines" and really don't give a crap about my actual medical advice. For example, I saw a new client/new patient the other day. It was a 14 year old chihuahua who I did a PE on and found anisocoria and cataracts. I explained to the owner the differentials and recommend to at least start by checking the dog's IOP. She stated "he's 14, I just want to let him be. I've noticed he can't see as well but that's just because of his age." In response I stated that if her pet by chance has glaucoma that's a very painful condition and is typically treatable. I also stated that I would recommend holding off on his vaccines for now and instead focus on our other recommended diagnostics. She point blank said she just wants his vaccines and that's it. And it wasn't just this client; I usually have multiple similar experiences within any given day and it's just wearing me down. I feel like I went to school for 9 years just to administer vaccinations!

In addition to this, our schedule is usually so fully booked that I don't have any spare time to interpret lab results or return client's phone calls. This leads to these things piling up throughout the week, and I end up having to stay late to catch up. I sometimes break down in tears on the drive home from work. I feel overworked and under appreciated. I truly care about people's pets as if they were my own and only want what is best for them, but I don't feel like clients even care. I don't see myself wanting to deal with this for the next 30+ years! I am an introvert and I would prefer a job where I don't really have to interact with other people a whole lot, which is why these past few months have me really wondering if I chose the right job...I'm starting to seriously consider a residency in radiology because I just can't stand clients 90% of the time (and yes, I do actually like radiology).

I would love to hear from others who have possibly experienced the same things - do you have coping mechanisms for these kinds of clients? What about any of you who have pursued a radiology residency - can you give me some insight on how this was and if you are happy/unhappy with your decision?

 

[CalliopeDVM]

But recently I've had so many clients who "just want vaccines" and really don't give a crap about my actual medical advice......In addition to this, our schedule is usually so fully booked that I don't have any spare time to interpret lab results or return client's phone calls. This leads to these things piling up throughout the week, and I end up having to stay late to catch up. I sometimes break down in tears on the drive home from work. I feel overworked and under appreciated.

I would love to hear from others who have possibly experienced the same things - do you have coping mechanisms for these kinds of clients? What about any of you who have pursued a radiology residency - can you give me some insight on how this was and if you are happy/unhappy with your decision?

It sounds like you need a new job with better clientele and better management. This isn't about people, it's about those people, and it isn't about being a GP, it's about being a GP in that practice. I do relief and I have seen the difference in clinics like the one you work at now, and clinics where management has decided that the clinic will not be that kind of clinic - they promote clientele who appreciate more full-featured medicine and discourage clients who just want "a shot". Of course, people like that will happen in every clinic, but there are clinics where clients like that are the exception, not the rule.

I'm a relief vet, and I stopped accepting relief stints in clinics like yours -- too much stress and no job satisfaction. They couldn't pay me enough to work even a single day there again.

 

[ABRVET]

It sounds like you need a new job with better clientele and better management. This isn't about people, it's about those people, and it isn't about being a GP, it's about being a GP in that practice. I do relief and I have seen the difference in clinics like the one you work at now, and clinics where management has decided that the clinic will not be that kind of clinic - they promote clientele who appreciate more full-featured medicine and discourage clients who just want "a shot". Of course, people like that will happen in every clinic, but there are clinics where clients like that are the exception, not the rule.

I'm a relief vet, and I stopped accepting relief stints in clinics like yours -- too much stress and no job satisfaction. They couldn't pay me enough to work even a single day there again.

Thank you for your reply! It's interesting because last year the job was not like this - our clientele was amazing and probably >80% of them would approve the entire estimates we provided for wellness care and other treatments. I live in an area that's growing rapidly and a lot new clients come in each day, and many of the new ones are "vaccine only" clients. How do we discourage them? I hate conflict so I continue to be nice/cordial even if I want to tell someone they're a complete idiot. But I would LOVE to discourage clients like this.

 

[CalliopeDVM]

I live in an area that's growing rapidly and a lot new clients come in each day, and many of the new ones are "vaccine only" clients. How do we discourage them? I hate conflict so I continue to be nice/cordial even if I want to tell someone they're a complete idiot. But I would LOVE to discourage clients like this.

It's a management decision, not something you can do personally. Some of it is cost, some of it is the entire team promoting more complete care, some of it is scheduling, and some of it is firing clients who aren't compliant and who make clinic life unpleasant. Those are all things that the boss could do, not an associate......From your point of view, you should just continue to be pleasant, efficient, and continue to make your recommendations as you believe you should. And probably start looking for another job.

 

[pp9]

It's a management decision, not something you can do personally. Some of it is cost, some of it is the entire team promoting more complete care, some of it is scheduling, and some of it is firing clients who aren't compliant and who make clinic life unpleasant. Those are all things that the boss could do, not an associate......From your point of view, you should just continue to be pleasant, efficient, and continue to make your recommendations as you believe you should. And probably start looking for another job.

I've never heard of firing clients just because they don't want to pursue diagnostics/treatment and only want vaccines. I've witnessed the unfortunate task of firing clients who treat the staff badly and those conversations are always a sh*tshow. How do the conversations go for vaccine only clients?

 

[CalliopeDVM]

I've never heard of firing clients just because they don't want to pursue diagnostics/treatment and only want vaccines. I've witnessed the unfortunate task of firing clients who treat the staff badly and those conversations are always a sh*tshow. How do the conversations go for vaccine only clients?

You don't have to have a conversation -- just send them a letter and tell them that their medical choices for their pets would be better fulfilled elsewhere, and they and their pets will no longer be served at clinic X. And offer to have their records sent to the vet clinic of their choice.

 

[DVMDream]

You don't have to have a conversation -- just send them a letter and tell them that their medical choices for their pets would be better fulfilled elsewhere, and they and their pets will no longer be served at clinic X. And offer to have their records sent to the vet clinic of their choice.

Sounds great in typing, it never happens in practice. So many people would be "fired" if simply declining all diagnostics was reason for firing.

 

[DVMDream]

I'm looking for some advice regarding burnout and other issues in the workplace. I'm a relatively new graduate (just under 3 years post-graduation). Sorry for this being a fairly long post!

I knew going into this job that I would have to work with people, I never was in denial about that fact. But recently I've had so many clients who "just want vaccines" and really don't give a crap about my actual medical advice. For example, I saw a new client/new patient the other day. It was a 14 year old chihuahua who I did a PE on and found anisocoria and cataracts. I explained to the owner the differentials and recommend to at least start by checking the dog's IOP. She stated "he's 14, I just want to let him be. I've noticed he can't see as well but that's just because of his age." In response I stated that if her pet by chance has glaucoma that's a very painful condition and is typically treatable. I also stated that I would recommend holding off on his vaccines for now and instead focus on our other recommended diagnostics. She point blank said she just wants his vaccines and that's it. And it wasn't just this client; I usually have multiple similar experiences within any given day and it's just wearing me down. I feel like I went to school for 9 years just to administer vaccinations!

In addition to this, our schedule is usually so fully booked that I don't have any spare time to interpret lab results or return client's phone calls. This leads to these things piling up throughout the week, and I end up having to stay late to catch up. I sometimes break down in tears on the drive home from work. I feel overworked and under appreciated. I truly care about people's pets as if they were my own and only want what is best for them, but I don't feel like clients even care. I don't see myself wanting to deal with this for the next 30+ years! I am an introvert and I would prefer a job where I don't really have to interact with other people a whole lot, which is why these past few months have me really wondering if I chose the right job...I'm starting to seriously consider a residency in radiology because I just can't stand clients 90% of the time (and yes, I do actually like radiology).

I would love to hear from others who have possibly experienced the same things - do you have coping mechanisms for these kinds of clients? What about any of you who have pursued a radiology residency - can you give me some insight on how this was and if you are happy/unhappy with your decision?

You are going to get people that really just want the minimum. I have some weeks, where that is everyone, then I get a week where everyone wants to do every diagnostic and I am drowning in rads and blood work. I think what I have really developed is that I can NOT care more for the patient than the owner does. You explained what you were considering with the dog (glaucoma) and that it is very painful, you can only guide a horse to water, you can't make them drink it. You can try the method of "even at 14 years of age, he still feels pain and if he has glaucoma this is the equivalent of him having a migraine 24/7, we can help him with that pain, but we have to start with this test to confirm my suspicion." Sometimes people go for it, but like in your case, the owner didn't. Record your recommendations and that the client declined. It really is all you can do.

Another thing you can start adopting is not giving vaccines to those patients that you feel are too "ill" from other concurrent conditions. It is your medical recommendation to recommend or not recommend vaccines as well. So if you feel that a geriatric patient has too many other conditions occurring, then decline to give the vaccines until other conditions have been addressed.

As for the scheduling issue, I can't help you there. I can not get office managers to understand that if every single appointment is booked up + walk-ins + double bookings it is not possible for me to accomplish any other aspect of my job. I have had the office manager walk up to me with the stack of rx refills and ask if I want them yet and basically have had to tell her to piss off and put them back. I am slowly getting through to her by adding in a 30 minute block off to the schedule that states "bw calls and dr. catch-up". And I tell her that even that 30 minutes is often not enough. I have also told her I will stay late once, maybe twice per week, but the staff (herself included) need to learn to be mindful of the schedule and that "no, we are booked today" is a full and complete sentence. I have now worked in two clinics since graduation and scheduling is just something I can not get across at all. No matter how hard I try. At least I am now away from the clinic that was open until 7 that would have me working until 8:30. I now work at a place that is open until 5:30 and I am slowly starting to get more say into what to schedule and where.

Having said that, I am currently looking to leave general practice. So, we shall see if I am even still in general practice by this time next year.

 

[pp9]

You don't have to have a conversation -- just send them a letter and tell them that their medical choices for their pets would be better fulfilled elsewhere, and they and their pets will no longer be served at clinic X. And offer to have their records sent to the vet clinic of their choice.

Sounds great in typing, it never happens in practice. So many people would be "fired" if simply declining all diagnostics was reason for firing.

That's what I was thinking, DVMD. It just seems like a good way for a practice to get a bad rep, too. I can easily see that blowing up in someone's face. 'They won't allow you to be a client there unless you spend money!' because that's what the client would interpret their firing as. You see it as them not agreeing to follow your recommendations, they see it as you not wanting to waste your time with them because they didn't open up their wallet as wide as you wanted.

Also, when it comes down to it, I would much rather have a client come to me for just vaccines, even if that's all they will do for their pet. I'm not in practice though so my opinion means squat.

Plus, firing a client over their refusing diagnostics...so do we fire clients who save up all year just to be able to have their pets vaccinated, but can't treat anything else? The same people who are forced to euthanize a beloved pet because they can't afford to treat something easily treatable, but that needs lifelong/expensive meds?

 

[CalliopeDVM]

Sounds great in typing, it never happens in practice. So many people would be "fired" if simply declining all diagnostics was reason for firing.

It's an option that some vets choose for their practices, and it's usually not for "simply declining all diagnostics", but for repeatedly declining ANY diagnostics. Those vets feel like clients like that take all the joy out of practicing for them, so they make that choice. Other vets don't. That's why there's more than one type of practice -- because there are more than one type of client. One practice does not have to appeal to all clients.

 

[DVMDream]

It's an option that some vets choose for their practices, and it's usually not for "simply declining all diagnostics", but for repeatedly declining ANY diagnostics. Those vets feel like clients like that take all the joy out of practicing for them, so they make that choice. Other vets don't. That's why there's more than one type of practice -- because there are more than one type of client. One practice does not have to appeal to all clients.

I can see for repeatedly declining diagnostics firing a client, especially if they keep returning for the same thing and keep ignoring you and keep complaining, yeah, nobody has time for that ish. But since most vets are stuck as associates, the power to "fire" clients because they won't do diagnostics, does not lie with them and they are just stuck having to see those clients on repeat.

 

[Minnerbelle]

The way I look at it, at least those people came to you to even have the pet looked at. A huge number of animals don't even get that. So appreciate that and move on. Your job isn't to make every owner do everything you recommend.

For the clients that really don't care what you have to say, I usually will just say something along the lines of "I know we came just for vaccines today, so I understand if you didn't want to address this today, but I'm concerned that fluffy may be suffering from ______ painful condition and I think we might be able to help. I know he's really old but I think addressing this will really help provide better quality of life for the time he has left. Even though he might not be whimpering and crying, this is an uncomfortable condition that I think is absolutely worth alleviating. Let me send you home with some information about ______, and an estimate for what we would want to do." And I usually will offer that I won't charge another exam fee if coming in within 2 weeks to address the problem.

I don't engage in an argument with defensive people about this stuff because ain't no one got time or energy for that. I find it makes these clients even less likely to comply. They come in ready to be on the defensive, and it catches them off guard if I don't push things on them. Even more so if I offer to write an outiside script for cheap analgesia like gabapentin. I will usually mention that if cost was the main reason for declining things, that I can work with them to find something to do to help the pet cheaply. A lot of these people surprise me by actually deciding to come back. And if they do end up doing nothing, it spares everyone the uncomfortable conflict that wouldn't have changed a damn thing. I am so busy taking care of the people who want to take care of their pet, that actually I'm totally fine with these short "just the rabies vax ma'am" appts. It gives me time to catch up on other things.

 

[DVMDream]

I am so busy taking care of the people who want to take care of their pet, that actually I'm totally fine with these short "just the rabies vax ma'am" appts. It gives me time to catch up on other things.

This. Some of these are a really nice reprieve from the insanity of the day.

 

[CalliopeDVM]

But since most vets are stuck as associates, the power to "fire" clients because they won't do diagnostics, does not lie with them and they are just stuck having to see those clients on repeat.

Yup. For an associate, it boils down to a sort of percentage -- a few are fine, a lot is tiresome, and too many is frustrating and depressing. I have no problem with clients like that because I don't work in clinics like the OP's, and for me they are the exception. For the OP, it seems like they're the rule.

 

[psilovethomas]

I think what I have really developed is that I can NOT care more for the patient than the owner does. .... Sometimes people go for it, but like in your case, the owner didn't. Record your recommendations and that the client declined. It really is all you can do.

Very well said, DVMD. I dealt with very similar issues to the OP my first year out. It took me time to accept the above. Once I did, I started to feel less resentment towards my clients. Some people really just can't afford diagnostics- they may not phrase it that way, and might disguise it as "he's old, I don't want to do anything else". Make your recommendations, record them in the medical note, get the owner to sign an AMA form if you see fit (depends on the situation). You can't care for the pet more than the owner. You don't have to accept this right away, it might take some time. But once you do, I think you will find more peace and understanding.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Yup. For an associate, it boils down to a sort of percentage -- a few are fine, a lot is tiresome, and too many is frustrating and depressing. I have no problem with clients like that because I don't work in clinics like the OP's, and for me they are the exception. For the OP, it seems like they're the rule.

I think this is a really good point. A "good fit" for employment also should take into consideration the clientele you work best with, and the clientele the hospital caters to.

I'm currently working at a hospital that services richer clients than those I work best with. That makes it kind of boring for me, and I don't really like it. I feel like anything interesting ends up going to a specialist. It's great when people almost always are willing to take referral for cases that are beyond my abilities. But that also means, even the ones I could totally manage will take the referral and go.

I almost never get to do the "well, I've never really done this before, but i don't see why I can't, and it's either I do this or the pet goes to heaven, so here it goes!" kinds of things anymore, which can be super gratifying.

On the other hand, I would rather die than work at a vetco clinic where all the people who avoid going to vets go...

Some people thrive at the 10 min appt depo shot and penicillin type clinics. The "Dr. X is the best because she doesn't charge an arm and a leg for things, and doesn't run unnecessary tests" type of places.

Others thrive doting on the $30,000 cat with the super high maintenance client.

The good thing is that there are a good variety of hospitals out there, that if it's just a clientele problem, you may be able to find a place that's a better match and be infinitely happier

 

[DVMDream]

The good thing is that there are a good variety of hospitals out there, that if it's just a clientele problem, you may be able to find a place that's a better match and be infinitely happier

The problem with this is that you can not possibly know what type of clients any specific clinic has or "caters" to. It just isn't possible until you start working at that clinic. Not to mention, that most clinics are going to have a mix of types of clients.

 

[Minnerbelle]

The problem with this is that you can not possibly know what type of clients any specific clinic has or "caters" to. It just isn't possible until you start working at that clinic. Not to mention, that most clinics are going to have a mix of types of clients.

I don't know about you, but I have a pretty good idea about most clinics around me. And of the 6 different hospitals I've worked/reliefed at, it was not at all a surprise. The clientele was what I expected they would be at each clinic. It's really not hard to spot during a working interview. Esp if you get a glimpse of how things are priced at that hospital. You can also kind of tell by the way things are scheduled, and the location of the hospital. And by talking to other associates at the practice.

Obviously there will be a mix of clientele at every hospital. But the population skews one way or the other, and usually it's not that hard to figure out. It may be because I live in a pretty small compact and densely populated state where there's quite a bit of variation by locale that's super predictable.

 

[CalliopeDVM]

The problem with this is that you can not possibly know what type of clients any specific clinic has or "caters" to. It just isn't possible until you start working at that clinic. Not to mention, that most clinics are going to have a mix of types of clients.

This is one of the reasons why a working interview is a great idea of the potential hire, not just for the potential boss. There are lots of things you can't know until you actually work there, including things like morale and teamwork. You could get a glimpse (regarding how patients are worked up) in an interview with some pointed questions or a request to look at some of their records, but a working interview is the best way to learn a wealth of important stuff. I wish I'd done it for my first job -- I would have learned a lot of things earlier than I did, and could have avoided many months of unhappiness.

 

[DVMDream]

I don't know about you, but I have a pretty good idea about most clinics around me. And of the 6 different hospitals I've worked/reliefed at, it was not at all a surprise. The clientele was what I expected they would be at each clinic. It's really not hard to spot during a working interview. Esp if you get a glimpse of how things are priced at that hospital. You can also kind of tell by the way things are scheduled, and the location of the hospital. And by talking to other associates at the practice.

Obviously there will be a mix of clientele at every hospital. But the population skews one way or the other, and usually it's not that hard to figure out. It may be because I live in a pretty small compact and densely populated state where there's quite a bit of variation by locale that's super predictable.

Yeah, you can't predict that in a large city. There are too many pockets of different incomes here and there and everywhere. Literally one side of the street can be "rich" and the other "poor" around here. So if you plop a vet clinic on a corner there, you aren't going to be able to know which clients you are going to get more of. Around here, the clinics are all priced fairly similarly, even those closer to "poorer" areas. However, even that is hard to determine, because, again, the "rich" suburbs can be across the street from the "poorer" ones. With the exception of Snobsdale (Scottsdale) the income is too variable around here to predict any type of clientele.

 

[Angelo84]

Sorry to hear you are feeling so frustrated! Can you talk with your boss about adding a 20 or 30 minute block off once in the morning somewhere and once in the afternoon evening as a call back/ catch up block? As far as being more efficient with records If you are using computer records is there a way to build in templates for discharges, common client discussions ( i.e. vomiting dog differentials/ work up, itchy dog discussion) so you don't have to write out those details time and again? For example I have a template for the vomiting/ diarrhea dog that already has in it my npo/bland diet instructions, signs to watch for and then I just have to enter any medications and hit print. I personally like to write out my exam findings and not use a template for that so I can't forget to change a normal to abnormal ( at least in theory). If you have a tech/ assistant in the room with you you can have them start entering notes while you are doing client education. Then you just have to tweak their notes.

As far as the vaccine only clients go your job is to make recommendations and give options but you can't control people's choices. If your overall unsatisfied with the level of care being sought at the clinic might be worth looking elsewhere. The other thing to consider is doing some price shopping. If you find you have the lowest exam fee in town maybe talk to your boss about raising the exam fee.

A resource you may not know about is vets4vets. A support group for veterinarians. I apparently can't post a link so google vets4vets vin foundation
It is part of VIN ( which is great in itself but can be expensive). Vets4vets is free and you do not need to be a vin member.

 

[hygebeorht]

Hey, I see a lot of really good advice upthread about finding the work that works for you, so I won't repeat any of it (I'm not a GP vet anyway, so I don't have anything better to add). What I CAN talk about is the radiology residency application process.

Radiology is in a tough spot right now, where there are very few programs and huge demand (from employers and wannabe trainees). The match rate is dismal. This year, there were 16 slots and 94 applicants. Every program is different, but the general rule is that most places want to see a rotating internship at an academic institution or high-caseload private practice, and it's becoming more and more common for a specialty imaging internship to be an unspoken "requirement." A good number of people who match are already boarded in something else. Of all the imaging residents I know, I can think of only one who came directly from general practice to my knowledge. The remainder came from internships, specialty internships, or had multiple years of emergency or specialty experience.

It's worth investigating a) whether the lifestyle is for you and b) what different programs look for. For a), I would find radiologists to shadow or work with. I know a resident who basically worked as a tech for a radiologist before applying. If you are near a university program, you can request to sit in on case rounds and KCC (they may or may not allow this). Basically, you need to get a feel for the work and get to know radiologists. For b), I would reach out to the residency directors of the different programs and stalk their program descriptions on VIRMP. Some programs want to see tons of accolades and clinical experience. Some really just want a prolonged, demonstrated interest in radiology. Everywhere is different. You may want to prioritize programs that fit you better once you do apply.

Lastly, if you are really just looking at radiology because you feel burnt out on clinical practice, you will likely be very unsuccessful applying to imaging programs, and honestly you should think twice about your motivations. That type of applicant (and there are plenty) tends to be pretty obvious - some people literally will say that during interviews (!). You had better love radiology and have the experience, track record, and determination to prove it. No one wants to train a non-invested person into the specialty they love.

Regardless, good luck finding what works for you. I don't know if this is helpful, but you asked and I answered. Also - people are everywhere. Even radiologists, pathologists, etc. have to deal with clients. It's just that now, those clients are veterinarians and investigators instead of pet owners.

 

[Lab Vet]

Also - people are everywhere. Even radiologists, pathologists, etc. have to deal with clients. It's just that now, those clients are veterinarians and investigators instead of pet owners.

True for lab animal as well. Interaction with people never goes away, it's just the players that change.

 

[VIN Foundation Vets4Vets]

ABRVET,

You've received such great advice from everyone, so I'll try to step out in another direction in answer to your query.

I work with vets with all degrees of experience, who are experiencing burnout (and often a combo of burnout and compassion fatigue (CF)- which may also be called secondary or vicarious traumatization).

What I've learned over time is that all of us who are in the helping professions will experience these soul-sucking emotions at some point in our careers. As crazy as it may sound; the more committed and excited we are about practice, the more susceptible to burnout an CF we are. Signs of this internal depletion can vary as much as we do- but we will usually see
*increasing impatience with our clients (and, sometimes with our patients)
*fatigue- we just can't seem to catch up with our rest and recovery
*inability switching off- our clients and/or our patients follow us home and we can't focus on conversations with our beloveds because "that one case" is spinning through our head on a heavy-repeat rotation
~there are a bunch of other classic signs, but these come to mind immediately.

When I find myself getting angry with a client, over their unwillingness to embrace my awesome diagnostic plan, here's what I do in the moment:
I try to take a couple of steps back and just breathe. I do this physically as well as intellectually- I sit down (or just relax my body posture), shrug and relax my shoulders, and just take in the client and patient.
I remind myself that I am here to advise, and to help, and that I will be best-able to do this if I can maintain a collaborative relationship with my client.
I remind myself that I do not know the entire circumstances of that client (I get a lot of my exercise from jumping to conclusions and building up judgments- so this one is both key and *difficult* for me!).
I then try to go forward, and develop a plan that works *right now* for the client, with the hope that we will be able to build a bridge to the diagnostic or treatment that the patient needs at a later time.

I try to build that bridge by saying- "when you can, we will address xyz. for now, let's get (whatever they are up for) going."
I will put an estimate into the chart for my recommendations, and let them know that I will be here for them if they become ready to address that.

I really truly try not to make them feel bad- I mean, if it's a dog with a big open wound, I'll try to find some form of help for the dog that those owners can afford. I try to be realistic- ie, will the wound granulate in and would it be less expensive if we called meds into a pharmacy- that type of thing.

It's a finesse thing- I've been doing this a long time, so I am pretty good at assessing who's going to let me perform chemo for that lymphoma, and who needs prednisone and a prayer. I do always offer the very best of dx/tx, but I am not going to dig in my heels about the preferred option. My client base consists of very well-to-do folks along with the folks that mow the lawns of those wealthy people, so I get lots of practice doing both- cutting corners and digging into cool cases ; ).

When you find yourself taking this stuff home, the way it sounds that you are, it's time to figure out where the holes are in your self-care regimen.
**Are you working out at least four days each week? It doesn't take much- just getting 30 minutes a day will make a huge improvement in your spirits, and of course more than 30 is the cherry on top
**Are you eating a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner? If not- please consider spending an hour or so on your day off prepping breakfast/lunches that you can freeze and just grab n go...some folks will also prep a couple of dinners so that they will have something ready to go on those really hard days
**I love the suggestion of 'pre-written' px templates- I use something similar, and it really helps me to get my write-ups done consistently and quickly
**Remember to cut yourself some slack! It takes most newer grads about 5 years to really have a good feel for what's going on in a case when we take it in. Try to stage out the complicated stuff- and realize that you will get better every day.
**Finally- who's got your back? Every one of us would do well to have a cadre of buddies that we can vent with about our tough times and tricky cases. If you haven't had the time to cultivate colleagues in this way, consider joining a support group. It's absolutely soul-cleansing to have someone that you can vent with- and the best way to do this is in an informal but scheduled fashion.

I hope you'll find some time to recharge yourself, and to make sure that you're remembering to support your healthy habits! We can't care for others if we aren't taking care of our own darned selves!!!

 

[that redhead]

I'm also an introvert and I'm exhausted after a day of dealing with people, even the nice compliant ones! Something that has helped me is to actually become more empathetic - not sympathetic - and put myself in people's shoes.

Oftentimes just bringing their pet in is a big step and it may have taken them some time to work up the nerve, the time off or the finances to do so. We have no idea what the client is dealing with at that moment in time and I think a lot has to do with finances. People may literally only have the money for a rabies vaccine and exam on that day and they're worried that if they pursue the extra things you find (ocular changes, heart murmur, etc) that they will dig themselves a deep financial hole in just one visit. They may be afraid or ashamed to ask for an estimate. They may know already that they can't afford anything a cent over the exam/vaccine until their next paycheck in two weeks.

They may also be afraid of the tests or medication you're recommending but feel silly for asking more about them. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the relief in people's faces when I tell them no, we don't need to sedate the pet for that xray or they don't have to stay in the hospital overnight for subcutaneous fluids or that the NSAID trial I recommend for likely arthritis isn't going to make their pet sedated and dysphoric. I make an effort to slide in simple explanations so people don't have to ask and I've found many times that makes them more willing to try something. There are many times we don't do the diagnostics that first day and I send them on some supportive care and say, "And if Fluffy isn't feeling better after [however long appropriate time], let's get him in to do that bloodwork." People like feeling like they are involved in the care and the plan and that you aren't just a robot telling them they have to do xyz test.

There are still people out there who will not listen and just want a quick fix every time. Those people drive me batty too. But you've got to find a way to distance yourself from the pet and not care more than the owner does.

Feel free to PM me if you need to vent more, sounds like we graduated the same year and I'm here for you if you need it 🙂