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As you’ll hear from Vanessa’s accent – she’s not a kiwi - she left her family and friends in Canada to come to New Zealand 8 years ago to fulfil her dreams of studying in NZ to become a veterinarian … she’s lived here ever since!

Vanessa is a recent Massey University graduate with 3 years experience who works in a busy South Auckland practice as their fulltime companion animal veterinarian. 

When she’s not working, she keeps active at the gym, and enjoys learning Japanese and water-colour painting. 

Dr. Vanessa’s partner is a nurse who’s about to undertake the daunting challenge of med school this month.  

Vanessa believes having a great support network and forming good mental health habits is instrumental to success.

Today we’re going to learn of some of the good mental habits Vanessa has formed and the benefits she’s noticed from having them as part of her life.  

She shares what she does when she notices thoughts of Imposter Syndrome, negativity and the importance of keeping a Gratitude Journal as a part of her every day life.

Vanessa Johnson is very candid, vulnerable and honest about life for her as a veterinarian through 2020 and into January 2021.    

Here are my six takeaways from this chat with Vanessa – I’m really interested to hear what was most significant for you and what particularly struck a chord in your life which you might adopt.

1.       Exercise – design your own version of a Stomp Around the Block as your way of decompressing at the end of each day.  

 

2.       Find someone to share the ups and the downs of your day – every day.   

Clear the cache of your mind each day so you don’t bet bogged down in the ikky stuff.

3.       Look for the good every day – attitude of gratitude journal.   

Like Vanessa said:  some people have to watch what they eat, others have to watch what they think.  I have to watch both!

4.       Stay tuned to the thoughts going through your head – reset your brain when you start to hear Imposter-Syndrome type self-chatter going on.  

5.       Get away from the clinic at lunchtime – get some fresh air so you can mini-recharge during the day.   

Plug in your earbuds, tune into a podcast and go get some fresh air.  It really will energise you for the rest of the day.

6.       Distance yourself from customer complaints by sharing them around your team. 

Think about having a practice that people in your team don’t try to “defend” their own customer complaints.  

Like Vanessa said, it allows people to distance themselves away from the heat of the moment.  

Do you have any of these strategies in your life and/or clinic?  Do you have variations on these?  If you do, I’m sure other listeners will be interested to hear what they are, so please feel free to comment or send me an email – [email protected].

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

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Today’s episode is about the importance of having a GROWTH MINDSET vs a FIXED MINDSET and how to use take that approach to bring about positive change in your life and veterinary clinic. 

Either you’ve got a growth mindset or you’ve got a fixed mindset. 

They were coined by Carol Dwek, an American Psychologist, about 6 years ago.  Dwek earned her PhD in Social and Developmental Psychology from Yale University.

She coined the terms fixed mindset and growth mindset to describe the underlying beliefs we have when it comes to learning and intelligence.  

According to Dwek, when students believe they can get smarter, they understand that effort makes them stronger. Therefore they put in extra time and effort, and that leads to higher achievement.

 You'll be able to recognise the three common misconceptions:

1.  "I already have it and I always will"
2.  "It's just praising and rewarding effort"
3.  "all you have to do is espouse a growth mindset and good things will happen"

You'll also be able to recognise the seven differences growth vs fixed mindsetters have:

1.  A belief that intelligence can be developed
2.  Embrace challenges. 
3.  Persist in the face of setbacks – that is you have resilience – we’ve talked about this  before in episode 6 - it’s an inner strength important to everyone in the veterinary profession.
4.  You’ll view effort as the path to mastery. 
5.  You’ll learn from constructive feedback (or criticism), 
6.  You’ll find lessons and inspiration in the success of others, and you’ll 
7.  Welcome challenges and view setbacks as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Includes excerpts from Michael Jordan talking about his growth mindset + Carol Dwek - including her a few minutes from her talk at Google.

Please sign and share GetVets.NZ

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This is the fourth episode (004) in the series supporting the parliamentary petition at GetVets.NZ.

Today we look at some strategies to help you counter compassion fatigue – both as an individual veterinarian and, if you’re a clinic owner or practice manager, a few different things you can implement in your clinic.

We hear an excerpt from a Ted-X talk, as well as a couple of sound bites from veterinary professionals and we’re going to finish up with some positive psychology and mindfulness strategies for implementation.   

According to Australian Psychologist Dr Nadine Hamilton, the best way to tackle the unique nature of veterinary stress that can lead to anxiety, depression and suicide is to use evidence-based research to create an intervention able to have a scientifically measurable positive impact on wellbeing. 

As you know, working in the veterinary profession can be a rewarding, challenging and demanding career.  It requires a passion for animals, excellent interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic.

It also has a dark and very dangerous side.

The suicide rate for veterinarians as measured across Australia, the US, UK, New Zealand and Canada is almost four times higher than the general population. 

This suicide risk has been shown to surface at graduation and remain for the rest of a vet’s working life.

As I’ve talked about in the previous three episodes in this series, the veterinary profession in Godzone Aotearoa New Zealand is currently facing a severe mental health crisis.

And I stumbled upon a Ted X talk by Richard Davison who wanted to know why is it that some people are more vulnerable to life's slings and arrows and others more resilient?

Richard Davidson is Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and Founder & Director of the Centre for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Davidson’s research is focused on the neural bases of emotion and emotional style and methods to promote human flourishing including meditation and related contemplative practices. 

Davidson has been recognised for his research through various awards, such as a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Award and an Established Investigator Award from the National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders (NARSAD).  

He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in Psychology and has been teaching psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 1984.    

He outlines strategies to boost four components of a healthy mind: awareness, connection, insight, and purpose. 

According to Dr Noonan, DVM, CPCC of Effecti-Vet Corporation of Ontario, Canada, distractedly standing in the exam room while your client explains their pet's problem is not the same as "being there."

He explains what it is to be mindful in the practice and why he thinks it's crucial

Here’s a clip from the Compassion Fatigue a

VetStaff
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This is the fourth episode in the series supporting WHY I’m launching a parliamentary petition requesting the government to designate veterinarians as critical workers to let more into NZ to help the dire shortage we have right now. 

You can sign the petition online at getvets.nz.  All online signatures ate 100% confidential.

Late last year I received a letter from a very globally experienced companion animal locum veterinarian. 

In the letter Dr Rose Unsworth shared  the overwhelming demand for her and her husband's locum services - demands greater than they can meet.

Where forty years on we still have a crisis on our hands. No individual should have a personal connection to five colleagues who have committed suicide (those are the ones I can name personally, I know of many more).

That clinics are having to turn away clients because they simply cannot cope with the number of patients walking through clinic doors.

Dr Rose Unsworth is the mother of twin daughters, four mini schnauzers, a pit bull a blue tongued lizard called Tequila, chinchilla breeding and two cats.  

She’s a veterinarian with over 40 years companion animal experience and over 25 years of passionate and dedicated involvement with the Complementary Veterinary Medicine Branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association.

Some of Dr Rose’s life-changing experiences include volunteering at the Asha Foundation in Ahmedabad, India – which she describes as hell on steroids, working at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Dog Care clinic in Sri Lanka plus the Kimberley Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation centre in Australia as well as neutering cats in Bermuda for a charity.  

In Bermuda, she had the best view anyone could ever have from an operating table:  pink sand, turquoise seas and palm trees. 

Dr Rose Unsworth believes that if you have a vet degree and a willing partner with the right attitude who shares your values and has a strong desire to give back, then the world is your oyster.

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

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This is the third podcast in the series giving the background info as to why I’m supporting NZs veterinary sector by petitioning NZs parliament to change the classification of veterinarians to that of critical workers because the way it is now isn’t working.

In this week’s episode we’ll talk about some of the other absolutely critical roles veterinarians play in the NZ economy because being a vet isn’t all cuddles and kisses from fur babies or on-farm herd pregnancy testing.  

Veterinarians play a critical role in helping to keep our country safe as well as making sure the food you eat, the milk you drink and the eggs you crack to make the typical kiwi bacon and egg pie, are all safe.

As I’ve mentioned more than a few times over the last couple of weeks, I’m petitioning the NZ parliament to change the classification of veterinarians to critical workers – just like their human doctor counterparts.

To practice as a veterinarian in NZ you need an Annual Practising Certificate.  The Veterinary Council of NZ is the issuing and regulatory body for APCs.

Since 2009, the VCNZ has sent out a questionnaire to veterinarians when it was time to renew their Annual Practising Certificate.  

As of 30 June 2019, the number of practising veterinarians increased by +3% compared with the same time in 2018. This compares with changes (relative to the previous year) of +2.7% for 2018 and +2.6% for 2017.

All information for this survey was collected voluntarily.   

International veterinary graduates

In 2019 the proportion of international graduates – that is, veterinarians who obtained their primary

veterinary qualification in a country that wasn’t New Zealand, was 30% - or 805 of 2,633 returned Qs.

When it comes to overseas-qualified veterinarians working in Godzone, the levels are similar each year.  

For example, in the 2017/18 year 776 international veterinarians worked in Godzone.

And in the 2016/17 year, there were 702 international veterinarians.

Each year since the Vet Council has been conducting its Workforce Survey, it’s been necessary to top up our workforce from overseas to the tune of around 30%.  

Thirty per cent!

Hundreds – almost a thousand – veterinarians from overseas. 

Similar to previous years, vets from the UK comprised the largest group of international graduates (268 of 2633 - representing 10%) followed by Australia (152 of 2633 at 6%). 

What a lot of townies don’t realise is that provincial veterinary clinics are major employers in their regional centres.  

MPI - the Ministry for Primary Industries - is responsible for ensuring the safety and suitability of New Zealand exports for overseas and domestic markets.

It does this by providing official assurances and certification requirements for exporting New Zealand's food and animal products to overseas markets.  

Maintaining and growing international market access for New Zealand depen

VetStaff
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This week we look at some of the mental stresses that your favourite veterinary professionals are under so you can get a better understanding of what it’s like to walk a few kms in their shoes.

This episode touches on some painful issues - like suicide.

[You don’t have to listen to those facts if you don’t want to.  I’ll let you know before we get to those so you can stop listening at that point.]

We'll compare the cost of human medicine vs animal medicine.

You'll understand - hopefully - why all those veterinary tests are essential to animal care & welfare.

In this episode we'll talk about how stressful and hurtful it must be to hear day-in & day-out that veterinary professionals don’t care enough because they won’t work for free.

Compassion fatigue in veterinary medicine is a result of veterinary clinicians – doctors and nurses - taking on the emotional burden of the sad and bad things that happen to their animal patients. 

It’s a form of mental trauma, resulting in the dulling of the ability to feel and care for others in their lives.

JULIE'S PETITION TO PARLIAMENT TO LET MORE VETS INTO NEW ZEALAND
Click here to add your name to her petition = all signatures are confidential.

EMERGENCY CARE CONTACT NUMBERS - NEW ZEALAND

 Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email [email protected]

What's Up: online chat (3pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends)

Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Rainbow Youth:  (09) 376 4155 

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
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The first of a multi-part series looking at the dire veterinarian shortage New Zealand faces.

This shortage impacts the humans doing the caregiving - the veterinarians, their colleagues and families, the animals and the animals' owners.

New Zealand is home to approximately 4.35 million companion animals - almost as many pets as there are humans!

In this series you and Julie will catch up with veterinary professionals to hear what it’s like working on the front line in some of New Zealand’s veterinary clinics and hospitals, while our borders are closed to entry from overseas-qualified veterinarians.

 If you'd like to know more about the petition Julie mentioned in this episode you can find it on the Parliamentary NZ Website.  If you'd like to sign please be assured that online signatures are confidential.

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If your clinic is open 6 or 7 days a week, then this episode is for you because calculating public holidays isn’t as straight forward for 6 and 7-day clinics as it is for Monday-Friday clinics.

We’ve got four days of statutory holidays coming up:  Christmas Day + Boxing Day and then one week later, New Year’s Day + the Day After New Year’s Day.

In this episode I’ll tell you how to calculate the upcoming statutory holidays and which days are classified as “holiday”.

This episode is for employees, not self-employed locums.  

If you’re unsure whether you’re employed as a locum (or not) then you may find Ep 001 of Paws Claws & Wet Noses helpful as that’s where I talked about the different legal classifications and tests of what an employee is and what a self employed contractor is according to NZ law.

So what about if someone’s on call?  What happens then?

The answer to that question is it depends.

When an employee is on call, the payment of wages and the entitlement to an alternate day off will depend on the circumstances.  

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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9 ways to get "Hire Ready" in 2021 by starting today

Today we’re going to look at how you can get hire ready in 2021.

This episode is for you if: 

1.       you think it’s about time you had a pay rise and you’re planning on asking for one; or

2.       you think it’s about time you changed employers – it doesn’t matter why – what’s important is the thought is going through your mind; or

3.       you think it’s about time you had some more work life balance, so you’re going to become a locum veterinarian; or

4.       you’re after work-life balance and are going to start looking for part time jobs.

9 WAYS TO GET HIRE READY - UPDATE YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE &/OR YOUR CV

#1 – your profile photo 

#2 – your contact details 

#3 – your personalised LI URL 

#4 – your professional title or label

#5 – LI profile matches that of your CV

#6 – correct grammar and punctuation

#7 – highlight & emphasise the impact you’ve made 

#8 – list your SKILLS separately 

#9 – customise your CV and cover letter to each application you make  

 

  

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Why do locums earn more?

This is the third of a three part series about locuming – whether it’s for you or not – things to consider.  

This week we’re going to look at why it appears locums earn more per hour than employees doing the same job inside a clinic.

This episode is for you if you’re about to start out as a locum or you’re employed at a clinic and maybe feeling a little resentful because a locum might, at first glance, be earning a truckload more per hour than your clinic is paying you.

This is Julie South - host of Paws Claws and Wet Noses.

I hope you found this helpful.  If it was, you can help us by giving us a thumbs up and making a comment on the social platform you first heard this – Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube.  Listeners liking through thumbs up helps more people find us.  

If you’re listening via YouTube, please hit that subscribe button and ring the bell – thanks!

If you’re on Facebook, like our page is truly helpful – thank you!

If you have questions you’d like me to answer in future episodes please let me know so I can answer them for you.  You can call me on 0800 483 869 in NZ or WhatsApp me on +6427 282 4155.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Links mentioned during this episode

Inland Revenue – cashed-up leave payments 

 

 

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
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The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs