π¦ Is it Time to Change your Veterinary Job? Know the signs
It’s not just a job, it’s your calling…but sometimes, change is necessary
We get it – working as a veterinary professional is more than just a job for you. It’s a calling. A 2020 study found that 85% of veterinary professionals derive their job satisfaction, not from your paycheck, but from the impact you make on both animal and human lives. But what happens when that calling starts to feel like a burden…
Find your next jobβ¦the Fresh Way
The Rewarding Yet Challenging Nature of Veterinary Work
You’re in this field because you love it. You get to watch puppies and kittens grow into strong adult pets, and you form deep bonds with pets and their owners. The joy of saving a critically injured animal or diagnosing a treatable illness before it’s too late is incomparable.
Making a difference in the lives of animals and their families has always been my dream. But when that dream started to feel like a nightmare, I knew something had to change – Dr. Emily S, a veterinarian with 10 plus years of experience
The Flip Side: When the Job Takes Its Toll
However, let’s face it – veterinary medicine can be emotionally draining and physically exhausting. According to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1 in 6 veterinarians has considered suicide. That’s a sobering statistic we are all too familiar with, and that underscores the mental toll this profession can take – explore Not One More Vet for more about transforming mental wellness in the profession.
The Reality Check: It’s Still a Job
You have bills to pay and a life to live outside the clinic. You also have professional standards to maintain, which can be challenging when you’re not the one setting the rules.
When to Consider Moving On
So, how do you know when it’s time to look for a new opportunity? Here are some signs…
Limited Growth Opportunities
- Veterinary medicine is a rapidly evolving field, with new treatments and diagnostic tools emerging almost daily. If your current role doesn’t allow you to grow professionally, it might be time to move on.
I felt stuck in my last job. They were using outdated practices and weren’t open to new ideas. Changing jobs was the best career decision I’ve ever made – Sarah G, Veterinary Nurse
Compromised Patient Care
- Your skills are valuable, but they’re wasted if your team isn’t on the same page. If lapses in patient care are affecting your professional reputation and self-esteem, consider making a change.
Toxic or Abusive Environments
- Life’s too short to work in a toxic environment. If you’re facing constant negativity, it’s a sign you need to leave.
Burnout Signs
- If you’re daydreaming about missing work or calling in sick when you’re perfectly healthy, it’s a red flag. Burnout affects 1 in 3 veterinary professionals, so you’re not alone.
Your Skills Are In Demand
The good news? You’re a hot commodity in the job market. The demand for skilled veterinarians, nurses, and technicians has been consistently strong, offering you a variety of career options to choose from. You have a LOT of options, in-practice as well as non-clinical.
You Deserve Happiness
You’ve invested time, effort, and emotion into your career. You genuinely deserve the chance to enjoy everything that you have worked towards and to have the work-life balance that you have earned.
In Conclusion…
It’s okay to prioritize yourself. About 23% of veterinary professionals change jobs annually – that’s 1 in 5, so we’re not exactly job-hoppers – you won’t be the first or the last to change your veterinary job. Maybe it’s time to take the first step toward finding a job that makes you truly happy.
About Veterinary Jobs Marketplace…
Our vet jobs Campaigns reach across the complete range of veterinary jobs – Veterinarian jobs, Associate Veterinarian jobs, Emergency Veterinarian jobs, Veterinary Technician jobs, Locum Relief Veterinarian jobs and many more. Browse by job type, state or city and click through to each Job Campaign for all the details plus each one has a quick video to help you drill down to the key elements in each veterinary job to help you decide on which ones to apply for.
Job Seekers can register and create daily or weekly Job Alerts to notify you when new career opportunities are posted. So, whether you are looking for veterinary jobs in Los Angeles, California or Seattle, Washington or Miami, Florida or New York City, New York and all points in between, you can find the best veterinary jobs for your next career step.
And for Veterinary Hospitals and Vet Clinics, you can find the best veterinary professionals – GP Veterinarians, Emergency Vets, Associate DVM’s, Vet Techs and Relief Vets and Techs – across the USA and Canada, and build your team – register as an Employer and post your Job Campaign today.
Looking farther afield? Then it’s time to explore Veterinary Jobs in the UK and Europe or our Veterinary Jobs in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.