Team VPJ

You already know that working as a Veterinary Professional is one of the most rewarding jobs there is. Of course, we also know that at times it can be the most frustrating job, and mostly we just grin and bear the down times, recognizing that the highs are always more than the low moments. But when the days start to become a grind and outnumber the good times, it can be challenging to keep your spirits up. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, it is time to move on…

As a caregiver you are rewarded in your field in special ways. The ability to heal and help is virtuous and important. You dedicate your life to this work knowing that the magnitude of your efforts and the outcomes are genuinely rewarding at the most satisfying level. But you also know that it can come with great internal costs – vulnerability, occasional helplessness and that there will inevitably be a small number of failures, even if they are often out of your control. So, if you are finding that your days are not as sparkly as they once were, that kittens don’t make you smile quite as often or that a senior dog still vigorously wagging their tail doesn’t make you feel as warm inside as it once used to, you may well have Compassion Fatigue, the emotional and physical exhaustion that often leads to a diminished sense of satisfaction in both work and life generally.
Exploring these suggestions may help you return to being vigorously passionate about your profession…

Whether you’re a fresh-out-of-university graduate Vet, an experienced Emergency Veterinary Surgeon with decades of expertise or a Vet Technician with oodles of practical knowledge, when it comes time to make your next career step, your Resume* must include these 6 critical elements. Just like any form of advertising, you only have about three seconds to engage your audience and get them to explore further, so your Resume has a lot of work to do in a very short time. Including these 6 key components will help you clarify your approach, ensure that you focus on your key skills and accomplishments, and craft a CV* that will make sure you stand out from the crowd…

We asked our worldwide network of over 251,000 Veterinary Professionals a simple open-ended question “If you were fortunate enough to have two job offers where the salary, benefits and location were similar, what other things would influence your choice?” and as you can imagine the answers were wonderfully diverse. For some it was cookies at morning tea, others could be persuaded by team massages and one very creative one had to do with the artwork in the practice. However, when we started to assemble the data we quickly began to identify five streams that stood out above snacks, kneading fingers and paintbrushes…in this order of priority…

When we say balance we aren’t talking about holding a puppy in one arm, a medical chart in the other and a capped syringe between your teeth…we’re talking about finding a Work+Life Balance that allows you to thrive in every aspect of your life. You know that you are the one really responsible for establishing your own Work+Life Balance that allows you to thrive, but many of us don’t notice that things are out of kilter until it is nearly too late. So, it’s time for an Intervention. Here are 7 practical tips from Veterinarians, Veterinary Nurses, Veterinary Technicians and Hospital Managers from our global Community. We approached them for their advice and their practical, tactical tips will get you started on re-establishing your own Work+Life Balance…

We created these regional Facebook and LinkedIn groups to help you post great Veterinary Jobs, browse Veterinary Jobs and share your Locum Relief availability in a more structured way – open to everyone, job seekers, employers and recruiters – feel free to join any Regional Group that may be of interest…

In this era of unusual supply and demand for Veterinary team members, if you want the best then it’s time to become a great storyteller. We’re not talking about fibs, stretching the truth or outright lies. What we do mean is that in a market where demand clearly is outstripping supply (at a ratio of almost 2:1) Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Nurses and nearly all Veterinary Professionals are being highly selective about choosing their next career step…and it starts with your Job Campaign. You have 3 seconds. That’s it. In today’s attention-span-challenged world, if your Job Campaign does not attract, engage and draw readers or viewers into your story in the first 3 seconds then you have failed – and having captured their attention you must keep their interest right to the very end. And if you are a Job Seeker, you want to know your potential new employer’s story too. Find out how and why…

Research indicates that over 25% of workers report experiencing high levels of burnout as a result of their jobs. And the field of veterinary medicine is not immune to this trend. Vet Nurses, in particular, are subject to burnout as a result of the daily stressors you face. Failure to address burnout head on can lead to serious problems such as depression, stroke, and other serious health complication, and is a primary cause of veterinary professionals leaving the profession that they love. Fortunately, there are some straightforward measures that you, your work mates and your hospital or clinic can take to recognize, prevent or manage the symptoms of burnout in the nursing team. Here are nine tips that we can all implement to prevent or overcome burnout…