As we venture into 2025, the veterinary profession continues to evolve, bringing both exciting opportunities and potential challenges to veterinarians, nurses, and technicians worldwide. Career paths that once seemed straightforward now twist and turn with technological advances, shifting practice ownership models, and changing workplace dynamics. These changes can appear suddenly, often when we least expect them, making it crucial to be prepared while maintaining our passion for animal care.

Some changes will arrive as welcome surprises – perhaps a promotion that recognizes your growing expertise, or the chance to become a practice partner or owner. Others may feel more unsettling, like news of your practice being acquired or realizing it might be time to consider retirement. Understanding and preparing for these scenarios can help you transform unexpected situations into opportunities for career development, or the chance to arm yourself when the unwelcome or unexpected appears from over the horizon. Here are seven pivotal moments you might encounter this year, along with practical guidance on how to prepare and respond effectively…

Landing the ideal role is about more than just finding a practice with the hours, salary and location you want. We all know that feeling when a job looks perfect on paper, but something doesn’t feel quite right in the interview – or that wonderful moment when you realize a practice could offer even more opportunity than you expected.

The trick is asking questions that actually show you what it’s like to work there. Not just about the money and schedule but real insights into how they think, what drives them, and whether you’ll thrive in their environment.

With help from our community of veterinarians, nurses, and techs who’ve successfully found their ideal practices, we’ve put together four key questions that help get to the heart of what matters: initiative, motivation, growth, and teamwork. These aren’t meant to be fired off like a checklist – they’re conversation starters that let you and your potential new practice get to know each other properly.

Here are the questions our community finds most revealing…

Hiring the right team member is about more than just checking off clinical skills and years of experience. We all know that feeling when a candidate looks great on paper, but something just doesn’t click – or that wonderful surprise when a new veterinarian, nurse, or tech turns out to be an even better fit than you expected.

The trick is asking questions that actually show you who’s sitting across from you. Not rehearsed answers about their biggest weaknesses or where they see themselves in five years, but real insights into how they think, what drives them, and whether they’ll thrive in your practice.

With help from our community of practice owners and managers, we’ve put together four key questions that help get to the heart of what matters: initiative, motivation, growth, and teamwork. These aren’t meant to be fired off like a quiz – they’re conversation starters that let you and your potential new team member get to know each other properly.

Here are the questions our community finds most revealing…

As we enter 2025, the veterinary industry stands at a crossroads, with conventional wisdom being challenged on multiple fronts. While many industry commentators paint pictures of AI-driven practices, seamless cross-border mobility, and ever-expanding corporate consolidation, we believe the reality will be starkly different. Our analysis points to several controversial, perhaps uncomfortable, truths about where the profession is actually headed this year.

In this article, we challenge nine deeply held assumptions about the veterinary sector’s direction. From the emperor’s new clothes of AI to the unsustainable economics of traditional recruitment, these predictions will likely ruffle feathers across the industry. Some readers will disagree vehemently with our views – and that’s exactly the point. These predictions aren’t designed to comfort, but to provoke serious discussion about the real challenges and opportunities facing veterinary professionals, practice owners, and industry leaders in 2025…

Whether you were a practice owner shaping your dream team, a manager fine-tuning your hospital culture, or an Emergency Veterinarian exploring your next move, 2024 was a busy one. Our Community Team – all veterinary professionals themselves – have been busy, too, crafting articles that tackle the real challenges and opportunities you’ve shared with us.

In case you missed one or two of the best, these Top 10 pieces sparked conversations from emergency clinics in Sydney to specialty hospitals in London, from bustling practices in Toronto to family-owned clinics in California. You’ve shared your success stories, challenged our thinking, and helped create better workplaces across our veterinary community in the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.

So, as the holiday season draws near, we’ve gathered our most-read articles of 2024 – perfect for browsing with that leftover Christmas pudding or during a quiet moment between emergency cases…

Remember that spark of excitement when you first stepped into veterinary medicine? Sometimes, even the most passionate veterinary professionals reach a point where they need to rekindle that flame. Perhaps you’re a skilled veterinarian feeling the pull toward a new challenge, a dedicated nurse ready to spread your wings, or a talented tech seeking greener pastures. The symptoms might vary – a yearning for work-life balance, a desire to be closer to loved ones, or simply that persistent feeling that there’s something more out there for you in the veterinary world.

Just like we approach each patient with a thoughtful diagnostic plan, navigating a career transition deserves careful consideration and strategic planning. Whether you’re contemplating a complete change of scenery or just a slight adjustment to your professional path, we’ve assembled seven proven steps to help guide your journey toward veterinary career fulfillment. Think of this as your comprehensive treatment plan for professional growth – one that’s worked wonders for countless veterinary professionals before you…

If you’ve recently started your first role in practice, you’re probably experiencing a mix of emotions that swing between “I’ve got this!” and “What am I doing?” several times a day. And you know what? That’s completely normal.

We reached out to professionals who started their careers within the last year – vets, nurses, and techs who understand exactly what you’re feeling right now. They helped us identify the seven most common challenges that every new graduate faces, from managing client expectations to handling team dynamics. More importantly, they shared what really works when it comes to dealing with these situations. Their practical advice and real experiences show that not only are you not alone in what you’re feeling – you’re exactly where you need to be on your path to becoming a confident professional…

Planning your next career step in veterinary medicine? In addition to the professionally satisfying traditional clinical practice, today’s veterinary landscape also offers exciting paths many haven’t considered. Whether you’re looking to expand your skills within your current field of expertise or incorporate new specialties into your practice, exploring the potential of technological advancements and societal changes, holistic or specialty care, behavior or exotics, or the impact of AI – understanding these opportunities is key to enriching your professional journey.

Join us as we explore these diverse opportunities and emerging specialties, helping you discover options that align with your professional goals and enhance your impact in veterinary medicine…

At the heart of veterinary medicine, amidst the hustle of clinics and the quiet moments with animals, lies an opportunity: finding harmony between professional commitments and personal well-being. It’s about crafting a career that’s both fulfilling and sustainable.

Imagine a world where your passion for animal care enriches rather than exhausts your personal life. Where the scales tip towards equilibrium, allowing you to thrive both in and out of the clinic.

This harmony isn’t just a dream – it’s a reality for many in our field. From mastering the art of self-care to setting boundaries that protect your time and energy, there are effective ways to create a balanced veterinary life.

Veterinary professionals have found strategies for managing long hours, embracing continual learning, and navigating client expectations with grace. These practical approaches have helped them achieve their perfect balance, showing that a harmonious veterinary career is within reach…