Advice and career management from Dr. John Sheridan

The Veterinary Business Briefing section of the site has been updated to include the two most recent articles: Becoming a Practice Leader and the Importance of First Impressions.

Veterinary Business Briefing is aimed at graduates or students who want to plan ahead, and is designed to provide tips once you start in practice.

There is a decline in the veterinary market at the moment, and many vets are training in disciplines outside the traditional remit of treatment in an effort to broaden treatment options and appeal to a wider variety of client.

It could be worth considering certain alternative therapies during training and considering that, even though clients on the whole are declining, there is still a consistent base of people willing to pay for alternative treatments.

Click here for an interesting article on the issue from Veterinary Practice News

Veterinary students are more likely to develop depression than human doctors, a study from Kansas State University has revealed.

Within their first year, 32% of veterinary students displayed symptoms of depression as compared to only 23% in human medicine. Pressure, difficult cases, an expectation to know too much and the spectre of euthanasia are all factors in an increasing rate of depression that is, unfortunately, largely ignored in the profession at large.

Depression and addiction are factors not spoken of in the veterinary profession, despite an increasing number of vets seeking help when it’s too late. We will be covering this issue across the veterinary profession in more detail in the future.

If you’re feeling down or just want to get something off your chest, visit Vetlife or ring 07659 811118 to speak, in complete confidence, to someone who wants to help.

For full details on this study from Science Daily please click here.

Myths and incorrect information pass through all aspects of our lives, and unfortunately when it comes to pet care owners often adhere to beliefs that simply aren’t true and impact on the lives of their pets. Internalising issues, thinking their pets hold grudges against them or believing punishment is a requirement in training all lead to further problems for both owners, pets and ultimately vets who have to correct what happens.

This useful handout from DVM is distributable and should go some way in dispelling these myths before they become full out problems.

An interesting article from Veterinary Economics on getting the right salary and avoiding negotiation until the appropriate time. This 5 point guide covers the delicate issue of pay from the application process to the interview itself. If you’ve found a practice how was the issue of pay decided? How did you prepare for the question... more »

With the class of 2011 graduating new vets are facing challenges that no recent grad has ever faced. There are 32 jobs available for 720 applications on the AAEP web site. That means there are 23 resumes for every job.  It is now easier to get into vet school than it is to get a... more »

Starting your own veterinary practice is the ultimate dream of every veterinary school graduate. While most veterinarians start their career working in hospitals or private clinics under the apprenticeship of another professional, the time comes to eventually move out on their own. At that time, learning what is involved in opening a successful practice should take first... more »

The BVetMed course now comprises of compulsory business and enterprise components and have been designed to give students a solid grounding in business. In addition to this, there is already an extended elective option in year five, which draws more than 10% of the year group. By providing graduates with business skills as well as... more »

The loss of a loved one can throw one for a severe emotional loop. For the most part, family and friends rally around in support. However, if that loved one is a beloved pet, response from others can be severely lacking and sometimes even bemusement at what all the fuss is about. Now a compassionate,... more »

We are very interested to know how you and other Vetstart members think about being the owner or co-owner of a practice, clinic or hospital. Is it your dream to one day walk into the door of your own clinic, or are you happy to work as an employee or free-lancer? And what is the... more »