Retraining an old dog

Re: Retraining an old dog

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:46:10 GMT

Again I did a lot of LA work during the 1st 1/2 of my career, so could probably get back in to fire brigade work quite easily .The "management partner " aspect of modern LA work would be far more daunting-and since you don't want to be a practice owner I shouldn't think you would find it appealing Again I'm a dinosaur who regrets the fact that new grads become limited to 1 field so soon in their careers

Wynne

Re: Retraining an old dog

plantagenet — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:34:57 GMT

There is certainly no problem with the seeing practice bit - I have had several older vets coming here to get their surgical skills back after career breaks (mostly for childcare)

How about doing a bit of TB testing to get back onto the farms. You would probably find a practice who could take you on to get your LVI.

I miss mixed practice dreadfully and wish I could turn the clock back to how it was 20+ years ago. I have made sure I am on the drug companies' mailing list to keep up to date with LA drugs.

There is quite a lot of LA CPD available.

Re: Retraining an old dog

Robin Grimmer — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:56:34 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]

I have been wondering if other colleagues here, have succesfully retrained back inot mixed and equine practice, and how you have gone about it.

Just your thought please.

[/quote]

Have you ever done large animal work? I have been qualified 20 years and like many vets of my generation I started off doing mixed practice and then switched to SA practice. I did enjoy the large animal work, particularly the farm work and am glad I did it. I think it's a shame that most of today's new grads miss out on the large animal work.

However, I wouldn't want to go back to it. It's long hours, a lot of miles on the roads (especially now as LA practices are fewer and cover wider areas) and it's very physical. Also you'll have to do on call because AFAIK there's no equivalent of Vets Now for LA work. In general I got on very well with the farm clients but found some of the equine clients the worst sort you can deal with.

I don't want to put a dampener on things, but if you want to switch to LA work because you are disillusioned with SA work, you're probably going to be disappointed. I too am not of the mindset to become a partner or practice owner so I now locum which gives you a much better quality of life.

Re: Retraining an old dog

Kate Richardson — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:43:53 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]Would it be acceptable for an older colleague to be "seeing practice" with a mixed setup?[/quote]

No personal experience, but why ever not? Go for it.