Starting a new vet job can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Your first week is your foundation – it’s where confidence begins, habits form, and impressions settle. Whether you’re just qualified or making a move in your career, this guide breaks down your first seven days into manageable, empowering steps. You’ve got this.
Day 1: First Impressions & Foundations
Your priority today is to get the lay of the land. Meet your team, familiarise yourself with the clinic layout, and understand how the day flows. Don’t worry about proving yourself just yet – observe, ask questions, and absorb what’s happening around you.
- Ask for a proper tour, including pharmacy, diagnostics, and OOH (out-of-hours) areas
- Clarify who your go-to person is for different issues (HR, clinical queries, rota adjustments)
- Review your onboarding documents and standard procedures
Day 2: Systems, Software & Shadowing
Today is about understanding how things actually work in your new vet job. From practice management software to SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), your goal is to feel technically equipped to contribute.
- Request a brief overview or mini-training session on the clinic’s systems
- Shadow a colleague and take notes on how cases are handled
- Ask to observe a range of cases, not just routine consults
Day 3: Getting Hands-On (With Support)
It’s time to step in more actively. You might begin by taking on a few consults or procedures under supervision. Don’t rush – go for quality and communication over speed.
- Start seeing simple cases or repeat consults with backup nearby
- Debrief with a colleague after each case to get feedback
- Ask for constructive input – not just what you did right, but what you could refine
Day 4: Communication & Client Interactions
Building rapport with clients is as vital as clinical skill. Today, focus on how to manage expectations, explain diagnoses, and set follow-up plans clearly.
- Sit in on consults where senior vets explain complex cases
- Practice how you introduce yourself and present treatment options clearly
- Ask a senior colleague for feedback on your tone and clarity
Day 5: Rota, Referrals & Realistic Boundaries
As your clinical confidence grows, today is about understanding your workload and professional boundaries – both are crucial for sustainability.
- Review your rota and clarify any expectations about OOH or weekend work
- Understand how referrals and second opinions are handled
- Check in with your mentor or line manager about how things are going
Day 6: Reflection & Adjustments
Use this day to reflect properly. What’s gone well? What’s still uncertain? Capture it and address it.
- Write down questions or concerns for your next check-in
- Request a short one-to-one to discuss your first week’s experiences
- Celebrate the wins – however small they feel right now
Day 7: Set Your Goals
Now that you’ve got your bearings, set two or three realistic short-term goals for the next month.
- Examples: “Improve confidence with feline consults” or “Assist in a routine spay”
- Share these with your mentor or clinical lead
- Remember, growth is gradual – your new vet role will evolve with you
Your First Week Is Just the Start
Starting strong isn’t about knowing everything – it’s about showing initiative, self-awareness, and a willingness to learn. With the right support and mindset, your first seven days will lay the groundwork for a thriving career.
