The first year in practice as a veterinary nurse can be just as challenging as it is rewarding. You thought that you have completed your studies and now you know enough to thrive in your first job! Here are a few tips that can help you survive your first year in practice.
1. Ask, don’t assume
You will be facing new situations and thrown into the deep end. But when it comes to patient care – ask and don’t assume. Every practice has its ways of doing things – just because it is different from what you were taught, does not mean it is wrong. Remember 2+2 = 4, but so does 1+3. Most of the team will have patience and help you learn the ropes. If they are not patient, just remember that it can be because they are stressed – ask someone else or wait for a quieter moment to ask again.
2. Learn to prioritise
The art of prioritising is knowing that a lot of things need to happen, but instead of becoming overwhelmed, know what to do first. Just like you were taught your ABC’s – Airway, Breathing, Circulation – in emergency medicine, tackle every situation and ask yourself what should happen first. The steps you follow will soon become a habit and you will naturally know what to do next!
3. Invest in shoes
Nurses are always on their feet! Pretty shoes are for after work and weekends off! Invest in good quality, comfortable shoes. Your feet will thank you for it! Choose practical over pretty when you make the choice and do not try and save money on shoes – a decent pair will last you years!
4. Set goals and chase them
Learn to set realistic goals – yes, you have qualified and now you are a nurse. This is not the end of the journey. You can grow, develop and take on more responsibility. You can manage staff or become the subject matter expert in a certain discipline of nursing. Do not become complacent in your role.
5. Get involved and show initiative
Skills can be taught, the initiative is inborn – that is what top recruiters often remind business owners of. You can be taught skills that you lack, but getting up, having a positive and optimistic hunger to get involved and help the practice grow will be valued over your practical skills. Was there something that you learned in your studies that your new practice does not have/programs that you want to implement, nurses’ clinics that you would love to run? Show initiative by making suggestions and brainstorm with vets and nurses and see how you can implement them.
6. Learn, Learn, Learn
You thought that you just graduated – you are now done studying? This is only the beginning – take every opportunity to learn, learn from every experience. Look at what the other nurses are doing, ask vets why they do the things they do and look for CPD courses that interest you. Make sure that you do not stagnate but continue to grow.
7. You will make mistakes – own up to them
Making mistakes is inevitable, it is impossible to believe that you have perfected the art of nursing and that you won’t make mistakes. The most important thing is to own up to mistakes, learn from them and do not make the same mistake again. When you make mistakes, say sorry – learn, but do not let these pull you down. Very few mistakes are made on purpose and rather see these as learning opportunities.
8. Get to know your team
Your non-nurse friends will have a hard time understanding why you have to work shifts, weekends or after-hours. Friends who have normal 9-5 jobs often do not understand the emotional toll that the death of a patient that you spent days nursing takes on you. On a positive note – your colleagues do. Lean on them – most of them would have been in practice for years, have some awesome insights to teach you and most of all – you will spend at least 40 hours per week with them. If you help out, they will be the ones to pick you up when you are down. Make friends – you may just see that you love spending time with your team members!
9. Make time for leisure activities
Do not forget balance – make time for gym, friends, family and for things that bring you joy. Veterinary professionals often take their work home and forget to make time for non-work-related activities. After tough days, make sure you make time for friends – don’t forget to have fun!
10. Listen, care and show compassion
Nurses often spend more time with patients than vets – you are the one who will sit with the patients, entice them to eat, have the owner cry on your shoulder wondering whether the pet will make it. It can take its toll but do not try and turn off the compassion. Remind yourself why you wanted to become a nurse in the first place – show compassion to owners who have sick animals, listen to the animals and fulfil your calling.
The most important thing is to love what you do – welcome to the profession! There is a lot of support out there – you will have tough days and some epic days where you save animals that you knew as you knew were not going to make it. There may be days where your frustrations are larger than your passion – and that is okay. Take the time you need to regroup and try again tomorrow! It’s okay to sometimes feel more than you should, to care a little extra when a special patient dies and to cry with an owner. You are human, but the joy of nursing is in saving lives and making a genuine difference – and that is worth it!
