How to restart my career?!

RE: How to restart my career?!

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:05:32 GMT

Your lack of confidence is 100% the fault of your 1st employer,and 0% your fault. That is a FACT.Keep it firmly to the forefront of your thinking.

The position may be difficult to find, now that so many practices are corporates (especially if you are geographically limited) but it might be a good idea to be pro-active and contact the mid-sized practices in your area, toask if any partners approaching retirement would like to "job share".

Unlike conventional job-sharing, youwould both be there all the time, but initially the partner would supervise your surgery, and as your confidence and skills developed, would gradually spend more time with his/her feet up in the staff room, but still in the building. You couldn't expect a normal full time salary for a postion like this,but it might be just what you need for the next couple of years. You never know, someone may be wanting to retire,but unable to find someone to buy in, and unable to sell to a corporate because younger partners won't agree. Someone like that might jump for joy at the opportunity to pay your reduced salary out of his/her share of the profits,whilsr begining to take things more easily. Off course the job might fold up if a buyer appeared, but maybe your skills/confidence will have been gained by that time

Alternatively,the owner of a newish practice who's expanded the practice until it's too big for 1, but is dithering whether he/she can really afford an assistant might welcome someone who was prepared to work for a lower salary whilst gaining experience. Hopefully,the practice will continue to expand, so by the time you're ready to undertake a full range of surgical procedures, then the practice owner will be able to pay you a full salary. NB I wrote by the time you're ready,because it's when not if. When I wrote a lower salary, I don't mean working for nothing. You're definitely worth a new grads salary,even if not that a 3 year qualified veterinary surgeon would normally expect

Ithink you would be better off somewhere that's not too big.

I found my feet working in a 3 veterinarian practice. 1 boss,in his late 50s, and 2 young, inexperienced assistants. We (the assistants) were on a 1 in 2 ooh rota - the boss was on permanent 2nd call. He was only actually called "out" - he lived on the practice premisis,so SA emergencies were in the building - once or twice a year,but the fact that he was available gave me an enormous confidence boost. So did the fact that he praised my strenghts, literally tothe high heavens. Half the town probably heard the shout"Where's Wynne? She's the only one with hands for this lambing" Thanks Shep

Wynne

Good luck

Wynne

RE: How to restart my career?!

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 09:31:20 GMT

PM me, happy to talk privately about your career options - it's more than you think! :)

RE: How to restart my career?!

Stephen Courtney — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:36:57 GMT

BSAVA provide a neutering course in Spain - takes about a week, and includes accommodation - with all the hand-holding you could ask for . The programme is called 'Scooby' and is intended to teach newbies how to spay and castrate. Spaying provides a foundation for all basic surgery and will be a massive confidence lift for you to be able know you can spay and castrate dogs and cats with no need for special supervision!

It costs about £600 but I'm not sure if VAT is added or not. check the BSAVA website.

RE: How to restart my career?!

grumpyoldman — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:29:12 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]Eh? What makes you think she doesn't have one????[/quote]

"I have a mortgage to pay" ,not "We" but i could be wrong .

RE: How to restart my career?!

Emily Rainbow — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:20:30 GMT

Also have a look at CPD aimed at vets that have had a career break. Surgery refreshers etc to freshen your memory.

RE: How to restart my career?!

Kate Richardson — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:16:04 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]I agree that at some point a small practice will probably be more supportive - BUT there is also nowhere to hide.[/quote]

Agreed, but I think this is a good thing. This person does not need to become just another unidentified cog, as occurred in their first job. Smaller practices, depending on location can often be quieter, but if staffing is an issue, then consider a part time position, but go in on a full time basis to learn. I bet there is someone out there who would be sympathetic to your situation and keen to help. Terms may have to be negotiable and may not be in your favour initially, but can be renegotiated and evaluated as time goes on depending on how you cope and learn and contribute to the practice, which I am sure you will.

RE: How to restart my career?!

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:05:18 GMT

[quote user="grumpyoldman"]If your starting a family possibly better to find a supportive partner first. [/quote]

Eh? What makes you think she doesn't have one????

RE: How to restart my career?!

grumpyoldman — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:02:58 GMT

look for somewhere with a good set on nursing staff ,

someone who does not mind you practicing cadaver surgery on your day off /quiet moments .

get the latest copies of Ettinger and Fossom ,and read them .

Sit in on someone else's consults for a few weeks and develop/copy an approach . Then keep the good bits and discard what you do not like.

Join BSAVA, go to congress .

If your starting a family possibly better to find a supportive partner first.

RE: How to restart my career?!

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:00:23 GMT

[quote user="Kate Richardson"]Smaller practices ie 1-3 vets will be more keen to have someone fit in with their ethos than necessarily having a full set of skills, they want someone who clients will like.[/quote]

I agree that at some point a small practice will probably be more supportive - BUT there is also nowhere to hide. There aren't the staff numbers to provide full time supervision (assuming that the new vet is being employed so that other people can have time off!) and the last thing she needs is to be back to square one, sole charge/unsupervised and with a difficult op on the table.

The OP mentioned that they attempted suicide after the stress of their first job. They need to find out first that they can handle the work, and be confident in doing so, before quitting their current job!

RE: How to restart my career?!

Kate Richardson — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 21:49:19 GMT

Agree with a lot of Gillian's advice, but I disagree that applying for a job is not the way to go- yes you have some confidence issues, but reading your post it seems more on a practical/surgical level rather than consulting wise, so my interpretation is that you would be as good to go as a new grad, poss better as you are showing some enthusiasm for working with clients. Surgical skills can be learnt behind the scenes, but total honesty with any potential employer is a must. If you can get some other work experience that will definitely help, but it can be hard to balance work and life then, and the last thing you need is to too much pressure. Maybe a part-time position initially? I think ideally a small practice. I don't know your background, but assuming you are a UK grad and thus fully English speaking, that will go a long way (based on recent job applicants to a good quality practice!) Smaller practices ie 1-3 vets will be more keen to have someone fit in with their ethos than necessarily having a full set of skills, they want someone who clients will like. Being older will also mean you will automatically garner a level of respect that younger vets may not- irrelevant whether you feel you have earnt that respect, but I know I struggled with clients pre conceptions when faced with a 25year old small young looking vet when I qualified, so use your age to its full advantage!

And don't be disheartened if applications fall on deaf ears, keep trying, and it only takes one employer who is right for you to make it all worthwhile

Totally agree with Gillian about babies, but do it cos the time feels right for you, not for any other reason/social pressure etc. And echo you will never regret them, ever.

Feel really sad about your initial experiences, and very angry that that situation is allowed to occur.

Please PM me if you want to talk more privately

Kate

RE: How to restart my career?!

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 21:17:01 GMT

Wow - that's a tough start!! Being sole charge in your very first job is hideous - and, in hindsight, hanging around there for a year wasn't your best decision eh? But the next practice, who let you just do consults for a couple of years, didn't do you any favours either!

I agree that applying for a job in practice is not the way to go at this point. Afterall, any practice advertising for a vet needs someone who at the very least has 'normal' day one competencies and it seems that, with respect, your current skill set and lack of confidence will mean you need more support than even a new graduate. Being honest with where you are is the only way forward.

Therefore, in order to gain the experience and, more importantly, the confidence, that you need to get paid employment as a vet, I suspect that some kind of voluntary work experience will be essential. I realise that this will mean holding down your current job plus voluntary work and that won't be easy - but nobody can afford to employ a vet who doesn't earn their keep - and finding yourself in such a position will just lead to more conflict and stress for you. However, if you find a supportive practice who is able, and willing, to allow you to improve your skills and get your confidence, I'm sure you won't struggle to find a good job.

Do you have 'old' practices from your student days that you could call on? Or perhaps a practice local to you, where you could do some OOH hours (usually involves some surgery, which seems to be your weakness)? I believe Vets Now have some good retraining available, usually aimed at people returning from a career break after maternity leave - so could this be viable?

Hopefully, with the right support, you'll be able to find your mojo!

As far as age and fertility - if you want babies, do it. There will never be 'the right time' and, whereas your career will be there whenever you want it, you're right- fertility is finite. There are always ways and means and although babies might make life more complicated, you'll never regret having them! Much is said about women putting their career first, and many women have babies later in their life with no issues - but it is a fact that fertility decreases and health problems increase very quickly after 35.

RE: How to restart my career?!

Liz w — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 21:09:30 GMT

Can you cut back your days in your current job and do 1 day a week volunteering at a local practice ( preferably one that does lots of charity neutering).