Moving on from a vet role is hard, but sometimes it’s the best choice you can make. Veterinary medicine may be one of the most rewarding fields to work in, but it’s also one of the most challenging – and when a role isn’t a good fit for you, your dream job can quickly become a nightmare.
So how do you know when it’s time to move on? Check out this list…
Limited Growth Opportunities
The field of veterinary medicine is constantly expanding, and if your role doesn’t let you stay up to date with new developments, you need to look for a new job before your skills become obsolete.
Compromised Patient Care
However good your knowledge and skills are, you won’t be able to deliver good patient care unless your whole practice is committed to quality care. If you can’t rely on your colleagues to do that, your reputation, your self-esteem, and even your right to practice are at risk. It’s time to get out.
Abusive or Toxic Environments
While everyone loses their temper at times, you shouldn’t tolerate being abused, berated or treated with hostility at work. Staying in an environment like that can undermine your self-confidence to the point that even your patients suffer. Talk to your manager as a first resort, but if that doesn’t change the atmosphere, start looking for a new job.
Daydreaming
If you’re spacing out at work, longing to call in sick when you’re physically fine, or taking hours to stop feeling bad after your workday ends, you may well be experiencing burnout. Again, talk to your boss or your colleagues first and see if there are changes you can make to improve the situation, but if that doesn’t help, it’s best to leave before your burnout gets worse.
Your Skills Are In Demand
Maybe the role you’re in is just fine, but someone has a better offer for you. In the current job market, that’s very likely, because your skills are in high demand, with far more roles available than there are applicants. If you’re not sure about your next steps, try a relief or locum role to give you time to think and gain experience.
You’re working in a challenging field, and you deserve to be happy. Don’t put a sense of loyalty to your employer ahead of achieving your dreams. 23% of veterinary professionals change roles every year – why not you?
