#200: 12 Tips For Navigating Your Veterinary Career

2024-08-07

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise shares twelve tips to inspire and empower listeners in their careers and personal lives. Key points include focusing on effort over perfection, understanding that patient outcomes and client decisions are beyond a veterinarian's control, and the importance of aligning work with personal values. She advises against overworking, excessive venting, and relying on historical statistics for future predictions. Dr. Wise also emphasizes concise documentation, viewing job loss as growth, normalizing anxiety, finding joy despite f...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise shares twelve tips to inspire and empower listeners in their careers and personal lives.

Key points include focusing on effort over perfection, understanding that patient outcomes and client decisions are beyond a veterinarian's control, and the importance of aligning work with personal values. She advises against overworking, excessive venting, and relying on historical statistics for future predictions.

Dr. Wise also emphasizes concise documentation, viewing job loss as growth, normalizing anxiety, finding joy despite financial burdens, and controlling perspectives to improve wellbeing. She concludes by encouraging listeners to share the podcast and join the Vet Life Academy for further support.

Key takeaways:

Effort Over Perfection: Focus on effort rather than perfection in veterinary practice, accepting that not all outcomes will meet expectations.
Patient Outcomes: Understand that patient outcomes are largely beyond the veterinarian's control due to individual patient physiology.
Client Decisions: Recognize that veterinarians cannot control client decisions regarding treatment recommendations and that these decisions do not reflect on the veterinarian's worth.
Aligning with Values: Leave jobs that conflict with personal morals, ethics, or values to maintain mental health and job satisfaction.
Work-Life Balance: Avoid staying late or arriving early to finish tasks, and prioritize a healthy work-life balance.
Limit Negative Conversations: Excessive venting and commiseration can harm emotional wellbeing; limit time spent on negative discussions.
Historical Statistics: Historical statistics on mental health risks do not dictate individual futures; focus on personal choices and potential.
Documentation: Extensive medical records do not necessarily prevent board complaints; prioritize concise documentation and trust professional judgment.
Job Loss: Being fired is not a source of shame but an opportunity for growth and reflection.
Anxiety: Feelings of anxiety related to cases or client interactions are normal; recognizing this can help alleviate pressure.
Financial Contentment: Paying off student loans does not guarantee happiness; finding joy regardless of financial circumstances is crucial.
Perspective on Emotions: Emotional experiences are shaped by personal perspectives; controlling one's perspective can improve quality of life.