Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Cool — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 16:36:51 GMT

I wish I could help and I dont see you as whinging at all. We are all human after all. Some can be superhuman and thick skinned but not all humans are the same. Depending on your location you can contact me directly to see if I am able to help. Wish you the very best.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Julian Earl — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 16:14:30 GMT

[quote user="Wren"]But that's the whole point Clive. We were working out how to keep training with a busy on call rota. Martin was happy to do 30 min road circuits, I wasn't. And with it being dark before and after work, plus on call every second weekend, that only left me two days a fortnight I could train, hence the turbo suggestion. I promise you I'd rather be outside too![/quote]

Yep. I've tried training both before and after work for up to an hour both times but that didn't work. I was tired at work plus my racing suffered because I'd never heard of rest days! I went back to relying on weekend rides plus a few hours on my half-day once per week.

Since my accident in 2012, I've signed up a professional coach and apart from the staged programme, the best thing is having two days off completely each week. I should have used a coach years ago but relied on designing my own training and race-programme. My racing consisted of everything that was available when I wasn't working! It is not an easy sport at the best of times!!

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:50:24 GMT

[quote user="peter chalkley"]We have a single vet practice about 20 minutes from us who is sole charge. 2yr ago she asked if we would mind if her clients used us for a couple of days while she was away, we did, saw a few. She kept her receptionist in to answer the phones, book routines for the days she was back and directed emergencies etc to call us and sent us the required history. [/quote]We've established I'm pretty robust and the sole charge thing is not just something I can manage, it is my lifeblood and I wouldn't want it any other way. I can happily work every day with no break for months at a time but for the odd days when I have a hospital appointment or a funeral or similar, a CPD day to attend, or the locum doesn't want to do/its not worth paying them for a Saturday morning tagged onto the end or start of a 1-2 week stint, I do exactly the same. In practice very few cases can't be delayed to another day so the number of emergencies they actually have to see is very small. But I wouldn't do this on a regular basis I suspect that would strain the goodwill.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

peter chalkley — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:37:31 GMT

We have a single vet practice about 20 minutes from us who is sole charge. 2yr ago she asked if we would mind if her clients used us for a couple of days while she was away, we did, saw a few. She kept her receptionist in to answer the phones, book routines for the days she was back and directed emergencies etc to call us and sent us the required history.

Over time this became more regular and she is does this all the time now. Her clients don't seem to mind, a few have stayed with us, but when you are over busy and burning out, surely this isn't a terrible thing.

At least that gives you some breathing room to make a plan for the longer term.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Edward Jones — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 08:35:55 GMT

[quote user="Paul Kensington"]It seems to me you are in the wrong area.[/quote]

Disagree. Just because you have a few bad days doesn't mean you need a redirection in career, but it does suggest a reassessment of what you need and what you can put up with. The grass is rarely greener, after-all. Sole charge principal offers aspects that the other options don't even come close to, whilst locum work is the complete opposite end of the spectrum in many respects.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Paul Kensington — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 16:22:31 GMT

It seems to me you are in the wrong area. You maybe should either be an employee or a solo charge locum. I am the latter and love it and work it to suit me and often practices are very accommodating as locum vets are hard to get with experience. To be self-employed, I would expect more zeal and willingness to work longer hours and be more driven, which is why I wonder if you are in the wrong situation for you. Locum work solo charge, with experience, does give you the opportunity to live and work as a vet with a more balanced lifestyle as you seem to want. I have done 5.5 days a week for extended periods but always with the knowledge it had an end in sight.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Julian Earl — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 09:51:37 GMT

Simon, you make an extremely good point. We have all been through phases like this. In my experience most vets seem to suffer a seven-year-itch. About 7 years after qualifying we start questioning our decisions and think about changing job, rota or even career. I know many who have felt this at that time. So no, one is not alone! I would also suggest Vetlife, they can be fabulously supportive at difficult times. For me, it was after my career-destroying injuries in 2012. To this day, they still take an interest and offer support. Give them a ring.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 19:14:49 GMT

[quote user="Jill Butterworth"]Aren't our moods funny? It's possible to be very low and fed up and then a day or two later feel like starting a new venture. The feelings feel entirely authentic at the time, and seemingly rational. [/quote]Yes but these mood swings are more profound is some than others and other factors influence how we deal with them. To some of us its a challenge to overcome, experience has taught us that if we feel a bit depressed today we can get through it with some positive thought knowing that in a few days we will feel much more positive. However for some who have other extreme pressures at work and/or home and suffer from anxiety they can feel as if they are being emotionally drowned by it all and cannot see a way out which may lead to a feeling of hopelessness and a downward spiral of clinical depression which may lead to even worse thoughts.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Jill Butterworth — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 18:23:15 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]I think I was just having a very bad week last week. Thanks to everyone who offered help and advice and for the kicks up the bum that I obviously needed.[/quote]

Aren't our moods funny? It's possible to be very low and fed up and then a day or two later feel like starting a new venture. The feelings feel entirely authentic at the time, and seemingly rational. I find myself very influenced by the company I keep, and some friends can drag me down, so I limit exposure, whilst conversely some friends are really motivating and fun to be around. Watch out that your team buoy you up. Tell them you need encouragement, because you can't escape them (don't mention that!). Moaning can be infectious, check out whether you all need some positive thinking. Having a laugh with the nurses can help you through the bad days. One of my nurses was such a darling, client would come in to see her, not me! I wish I could bottle her loveliness and sell it...

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 14:50:46 GMT

[quote user="Wren"]

(Apologies again OP...)

But that's the whole point Clive. We were working out how to keep training with a busy on call rota. Martin was happy to do 30 min road circuits, I wasn't. And with it being dark before and after work, plus on call every second weekend, that only left me two days a fortnight I could train, hence the turbo suggestion. I promise you I'd rather be outside too!

[/quote]Just to let know in case you haven't seen I've started a tangent so as to spare the OP and non-cycling members from more cycling chat which even I can see is getting as tiresome as a turbo session!!

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Simon Neuhoff — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 14:33:27 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]

OP here. Promise I haven't one-starred anyone. I've been busy reflecting on my lot and accepting that such is the nature of sole charge. It's not perfect but it could be worse. I think I was just having a very bad week last week. Thanks to everyone who offered help and advice and for the kicks up the bum that I obviously needed.

[/quote]

Hey OP. Rest assured you are in good company. We have all had periods like you describe - and we will likely have them again! Being overworked and stressed is unpleasant - but as a "tough love" friend of mine once pointed out - it is actually worse to be as quiet as the grave and no income coming through the door.

Try to get yourself some time off. Refocus. It will work out in the end.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Simon Neuhoff — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 14:31:17 GMT

You don't have kids do you ;-)

Training indoors on a very foccussed regime achieves the quickest results. I have falle out of love with my rollers but for getting fit on limited time indoor training is very useful - especially in the dark months!

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Wren — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 14:28:20 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]I can maybe see the benefit if on call, [/quote]

(Apologies again OP...)

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Clive Ansell — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 14:05:21 GMT

[quote user="Julian Earl"]

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]None! it has to be the most pointless and skull numbingly boring pastime to have been invented, second only to attending a gym. [/quote]

[/quote]

I just don't see it: I have used them extensively in the past, and have like you worked within distance, time and HR parameters, but the very most I can manage indoors is an hour. I can train outdoors using the same parameters, and with careful route planning can achieve any training objective; nice long flat routes, undulating Worcestershire countryside with a splattering of 20% hills if wanted, and the Cotswolds are within a 100Km circuit too. There are only a handful of days in a year where weather or road conditions would prevent it.

I can maybe see the benefit if on call, or working to a very tight training schedule.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Jo Dyer — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 13:48:47 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]

[/quote]

Just to say that if you do ever need to offload without getting a kick up the bum, Vetlife Helpline can be very helpful. Anonymous, confidential email via the website https://www.vetlife.org.uk

Glad to hear that you're feeling a bit better.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Julian Earl — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 13:18:00 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]None! it has to be the most pointless and skull numbingly boring pastime to have been invented, second only to attending a gym. [/quote]

Sorry Clive but I beg to differ. They are only boring if one doesn't use them properly. I do think that one needs a computer on the bike, preferably using a heart-rate monitor as well and you set yourself objectives: x miles at heart-rate y. By having an objective to focus on they can be used very effectively for both short distance efforts and longer times. For example, I sustained a heart rate of 155 for two hours. That rate was specific to me at that time and based on what my heart did on road rides. I have to accept that there is not the scenery, wind in your hair and so on but when on call, second call primarily the turbo was an invaluable means of getting race-fit while being on-call every other weekend. ~My longest session has been 3 hours, again only achievable and bearable by using a heart rate monitor and Cateye bike-computer. I knew that I had to do it to get properly fit.

If you want to spend several hundred quid, the Bkool-system is useful. It offers online links to real routes and automatically adjusts resistance when you reach a hill. Plus you get CGI scenery of the Ardennes for example.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Robin Grimmer — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 13:01:41 GMT

+1 I absolutely hate turbo trainers and spinning classes at the gym! I'd much rather be outdoors. If the weather is good I'll go out on the bike, if it's not so good I'll go for a run. If it's really bad then reluctantly I'll go to the gym/pool.

Also one starred myself! Maybe we should open a dedicated cycling thread

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Clive Ansell — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 12:31:02 GMT

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]

So which turbo trainer is best then? Any experience with Zwift?

I use rollers mainly, but losing the love for indoor training and need a change!

[/quote]

None! it has to be the most pointless and skull numbingly boring pastime to have been invented, second only to attending a gym.

I used to use a turbo trainer, just a cheap CycleOps think - does the job and resistance can be varied with the gears, it's just so damned tedious. I suppose they are useful if you have limited time, or want to do interval training etc, but I now run or cycle outdoors - there are very few days that I cannot do either, and in fact last winter I didn't use the turbo trainer at all because I had lent it to a friend who was using for physiotherapy following cruciate surgery. Once I get it back I will sell it on Ebay if I don't shoot it first.

Also, they fcuk up your back wheel, make it go pear shaped.

One starred myself, to save others the bother

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 10:43:18 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]Thanks to everyone who offered help and advice and for the kicks up the bum that I obviously needed.[/quote]Its called tough love! Glad you're seeing the positive side. As I alluded earlier there was a point fairly early on in my sole charge career when I was getting stressed but I took stock and realised that it was best of a number of less than ideal solutions and adapted. Looking back there is still very little I would have changed and there is no way I would go back to not being sole charge. No-one can tell me off for spending half my day on this forum for a start albeit my nurses so nag me occasionally to get some work done!

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

An On MRCVS — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 10:22:45 GMT

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 08:03:40 GMT

I suspect it is because we went off on a tangent. Sorry OP.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Wren — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 07:49:45 GMT

Wow. Never been one starred before and now there's a whole row of them. Anyone know what the correct protocol is? Should I flounce off? Start a fight??

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Wren — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 19:17:06 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]Have you ever thought about using a rowing machine? Good for core strength and aerobic fitness, and can be plonked in front of a tv too. [/quote]

Great idea! I bought all the box sets of ER from the 90s to cycle turbo to then couldn't hear them over the noise the bloody thing made.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Anthony Dennison — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 19:10:57 GMT

[quote user="Wren"]I'm primarily a jockey (not racetrack, but hunt races etc) and need to keep my aerobic fitness and core strength high, in the face of a genotype predisposed to reclining on the sofa with a glass of red. Running and core work work well for me (I'm very competitive so if I'm running I like to be racing too), and I used to cycle competitively, so find that easy to pick up when necessary, but unfortunately our on call rota is particularly punitive and it is not easy. I sold my turbo trainer as I hated it... Also live in a rural area and don't feel safe (from the point of view of traffic, not muggers!!) running in the dark.[/quote]

Have you ever thought about using a rowing machine? Good for core strength and aerobic fitness, and can be plonked in front of a tv too.

RE: Feel completely trapped by sole charge work

Wren — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 19:07:54 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

I would train by going round a circuit so I was never more than 20-30 minutes away furious running or cycling and in 'the olden days' we didn't have mobile phones I depended on a pager.

As for racing I would arrange as mentioned before for a local practice to take emergencies if they happened directed by my wife if she took the call at home. We used to help each other out rather than scratch each other's eyes out.

I confess to taking the chance on a few occasions but it never came back to bite me.

[/quote]

Thanks for the reply - unfortunately, as I kind of suspected, there is no magic answer. I would not be happy with that sort of delay before setting out for a real emergency (let's say loose horse in the middle of the A1 with a broken leg, or horse attempting to drown in one of the big drainage dykes we have round here), so although I did think of traiing like you do, I haven't been able to bring myself to. I guess it's a question of what you're personally happy with.

I'm primarily a jockey (not racetrack, but hunt races etc) and need to keep my aerobic fitness and core strength high, in the face of a genotype predisposed to reclining on the sofa with a glass of red. Running and core work work well for me (I'm very competitive so if I'm running I like to be racing too), and I used to cycle competitively, so find that easy to pick up when necessary, but unfortunately our on call rota is particularly punitive and it is not easy. I sold my turbo trainer as I hated it... Also live in a rural area and don't feel safe (from the point of view of traffic, not muggers!!) running in the dark.

Anyway my problem, and I'm sure I'll keep plodding on. Just hoped you might have come up with the magic solution!!