Sometimes life serves you giant problems, and you face the choice of whether or not you're going to live fully. Jeanne Ficociello is a veterinarian and close friend of mine who has lived vivaciously in spite of an advanced kidney disease, and today she shares some of the keys to that resiliency with us. Dr. Jeanne Ficociello is an excellent internal veterinary specialist from Boston and a dear friend from CSU. Today she tells us about her experience of being a successful veterinary specialist while also living with an advanced kidney disease. We also discuss how to manage boundaries with clients, dealing with bad days at work, and how to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue. She also tells us the story of how her kidney donor revealed themselves to her on Valentine’s Day!   In this episode:  Some tips on staying positive and upbeat when life serves you lemons How to avoid burnout or compassion fatigue, especially as a veterinarian Her thoughts on Dr. Google The story of the first transplant surgeon ever and what made his such a great doctor    Quotes: “It’s been a part of my life for so long. I’m very open about it. It’s part of who I am” 12:37 “So many veterinarians are compassionate and caring and intensively obsessed with their patients and clients, and it’s just not always healthy.” 29:13 “People know their pets. They may act all crazy, but people know their animals.” 44:37   Links: Enjoying the show? Help support Podcast A Vet on Patreon!   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet  Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community!

017: How To Thrive As A Veterinarian When Life Serves You Lemons w/ Jeanne Ficociello

Podcast A Vet is a podcast for Veterinarians, students, nurses, veterinary professionals and animal lovers with an emphasis on community. The podcast shares the stories, struggles, successes and insights of leaders across the veterinary industry. 

As modern vets, we face numerous challenges on a daily basis, from dealing with patients and clients, to running profitable practices, to dealing with internal struggles like compassion fatigue. We believe that the best way through these struggles is by learning from a supportive and open community, and improving the vet industry as a whole, one vet professional at a time.

Health & Fitness

Podcast A Vet is taking a break, but don't worry, we'll be back with more stories and insights from our incredible veterinary community soon! In this episode, I wanted to share some of the reasons why we're taking this break - don't worry, nothing serious, life is just full right now. I'm guessing you can relate, and hopefully this episode will be a reminder to look after yourself and do what you need to do to look after yourself and ensure you're showing up for your family, colleagues, friends, and community. We'll be back with more stories soon.   Links Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

109: Taking a Break to Recharge

This week we're doing something a little different!  If you tuned in last week to our episode with Dr. Seth Williams, you heard the first half of our talk.  This week, you can catch the second half of our conversation over on Seth's podcast, Vet School Unleased. Check out part two of this conversation here. If you haven't checked it out, you can listen to part one here.   Links Listen to part two of our conversation here! Listen to part one Follow Dr. Seth The Vet on Instagram Vet School Unleashed Website   Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Bonus: Vet School Unleashed Part 2 w/ Seth Williams

Seth Williams is the mastermind behind Vet School Unleashed and a DVM who plays by his own rules. After graduating with a music business degree Seth went back to veterinary school when he realized his passion could bring him closer to a job he could never have dreamed of. Tackling everything from looking on the positive side of a career change to the importance of work ethic and investing in your future, Seth is here today to share his perspective on the veterinary world. If you have ever been curious of what goes on behind the scenes of some of your favorite veterinary social media accounts or podcasts, are hoping to gain insight from those who have come before you, or just want to join in the conversation of sharing both your good and bad days in the field, this is the episode for you. By having confidence in yourself and the work that you are doing you can help the animals you seek without taking everything so personally. Instead of living a life full of the status quo, which eventually will lead to boredom and burnout, Seth wants to encourage you to take each opportunity to stretch yourself and grow as a person. You are not alone, and Seth is here to let you know that you shouldn’t be afraid to fail. Stocked with advice for everyone from a new grad to a seasoned clinic owner, Seth’s attitude and dedication to self-improvement is something you can’t miss.  What did you love most about Seth’s can-do approach to veterinary medicine? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section on the episode page.   In This Episode   How to figure out what sets you apart when applying to veterinary school The importance of having an outlet and finding a work-life balance Tips for becoming successful on social media as a veterinary professional Recommendations for dealing with irrational or emotional patients Get into the head of a new veterinary school graduate, their concerns and expectations    Quotes “I realized that I could fulfill my business interests, medicine, and work with some pretty kick-ass animals and be a vet.” (6:48) “You get on a plane and you say you are a veterinarian and you get into this whole conversation about either their pets or that they wanted to be a vet and it didn’t work out, it’s the job that almost everyone seems to want to have.” (17:47) “The world needs vets now, and good vets. This is just a good way to show why it’s so awesome to be in this profession.” (18:28) “You’re human, you are going to make mistakes, everybody does. If you expect that you are going to be perfect, you are just going to be set up for a life of disappointment.” (30:20)   Links Follow Dr. Seth The Vet on Instagram Vet School Unleashed Website   Find the full show notes here Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

108: Vet School Unleashed w/ Seth Williams

If you want to get to the top of any niche in the veterinary world, you probably know it's going to be a tough slog at times. You might not realize, however, the impact of our career pursuits on other areas of our lives. Dr. Jon Congdon shares his insight into how to navigate your way to the top of a specialized field while maintaining your relationships, and sanity.   Dr. Congdon started from the bottom cleaning cages and worked his way up to being Director of Anesthesiology at one of the top 3 schools in the country, NC State Veterinary.  He is one of only 230 board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists in the country, one of my former classmates and a personal friend. Recorded live on location at the 2018 AVMA Convention in Denver Colorado, we discuss the progression of veterinary medicine, the highs and lows of being a specialist, and how to accept vulnerability in your knowledge. Dr. Congdon lays out his pragmatic practical approach to how to make everybody’s veterinary experience better with anesthesia. Getting into the meat of his veterinary story, the struggle of residency and the toll his career had on his relationships, Dr. Congdon relays his advice for those starting out on their journey and anyone interested in anesthesia. Putting importance on learning to think for yourself, searching for information and being prepared, Dr. Congdon brings a no judgment attitude to the field of anesthesiology.   In This Episode  An overview of the path to becoming an anesthesiologist Take home tidbits from Jon’s AVMA 2018 Lecture Making the veterinarian experience better for fractious cats The 4 major mechanisms for low blood pressure Relationship advice for anyone going into a residency Being satisfied without recognition    Quotes “You go to a conference and how much of it is really applicable? How much can you take home and use the next day? And that’s really the probably driving idea behind lectures that I do, is what do they really want to know, I mean I’m guessing but you know, and what might they take home tomorrow and actually do something with?” (6:40) “We get so worked up about our little niches, but there is a bigger world out there. And as I have heard many many times at NC State, believe in good intentions, take faith that people have the best of intentions. And they may make mistakes and it may look bad from the outside, but it's not like any of us are trying to make mistakes or are trying to be lazy, we're just busy. And cases come to us that we think are straightforward and then they are not and we have to adapt on the fly. This idea of community and this podcast is a huge part of that.” (40:46) “Anesthesia is super cool for me because I can identify a problem, I can administer a treatment, and I get to fix it right away. Anesthesia, it’s real-time physiology.” (1:04:54) “You will never get the credit. You will never be at the forefront of the story. But it shouldn't matter. We are not here to get accolades, we're here to get them through. We're not here to judge if they should be anesthetized, we're here to get them through. Other doctors are having those conversations with the clients, it's not our role to judge. If they need us we should be here, we are service specialists, we are here to serve the other doctors.” (1:17:50)   Links Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perks! AVMA Convention PAV 017: Jeanne Ficociello Invisibles Book   Find the full show notes here Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Rebroadcast: From Cage-Cleaner To Director Of Anesthesiology w/ Dr. Jon Congdon

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go through veterinary school with a new baby? Erika Berra is doing just that, currently in her third year of veterinary school and crushing it as a super mom with her 14-month-year-old, Teddy. Today Teddy and Erika join us to give us a real, honest look at what it looks like to be a new parent in vet school. Everything from planning her final exams around Teddy’s birth to balancing clinic hours with a sick child is on the table today as Erika dives into the hard truths around being a parent. If you are wondering if it is the right time to have kids, want a realistic look at the balancing act of veterinary school and parenthood or just want to hear some adorable background baby gurgles, this is the episode for you. A proponent for makings things work no matter what and proving to yourself that you are stronger than you think you are, Erika dreams of doing it all and is well on her way there. Are you thinking about having kids during veterinary school, or have already had some? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section on the episode page.   In This Episode  Tips for balancing new motherhood and veterinary school pressures Advice for future moms or those who are struggling to keep it together The importance of having a support network when becoming a new parent Explore the advantages of having children during veterinary school  Addressing the misconceptions around having a child in veterinary school     Quotes “People always tell me they don’t know how I do it either, and I don’t have a good answer. But I think it is one of those situations where you can do more than you think you can when you are in a situation where you need to do it.” (6:41) “If somebody is in vet school and is at the age where they are thinking that they want kids, just make sure that you have that support system. I’m sure you could do it without it, but it makes a huge difference.” (9:34) “I actually want to mixed animal, I want to do it all.” (18:24) “No matter what is going on, most things that are like terrifying, in the grand scheme of things they are not that big. But you can’t see that far until you are past it. So I think that is the thing, to try and keep everything in perspective.” (22:30) “If you learn how to balance life and school and work now, then theoretically by the time I am out in practice I will be really good at it.” (26:17) “If you can do vet school and be a parent, I know a couple of people that are planning to have a kid or two kids in vet school, and if you can do more than one man, you are truly superwoman.” (34:28)   Links Enjoying the show? Help support Podcast A Vet on Patreon! Find the full show notes here Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

017: How To Thrive As A Veterinarian When Life Serves You Lemons w/ Jeanne Ficociello

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