Find yourself considering whether you should switch to a job that isn't as tiring and where you don't get peed on, yet you love helping animals get healthy? Here's how you can do what you love while also staying sane.
Life as a veterinary technician can get crazy. Always trying to raise the quality of care, grow in your career, and balance everything else in your life can often lead to burnout. Tasha McNerny, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia), founder of the Facebook group Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds, talks about tips on how to do it all.
She tells Dr. Natalie Marks in the Quick Cup of Knowledge video “Professional Empowerment” about how she was able to specialize in anesthesia/analgesia as a veterinary technician, start the extremely successful Facebook group, and run a symposium for that group while struggling with the stress and fatigue that comes with the job.
Tip #1: Raising the Standard of Care
Raising the standard of care comes with education and mentorship. McNerny mentions that this is largely how Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds started, as a platform for veterinary technicians and anesthesiologists to come together, answer questions, provide help in difficult cases, and improve patient care.
She remembers constantly exchanging texts with others in her field for mentorship in the early stages of her career. Reaching out to others in the profession for support is crucial in advancing your knowledge and in turn, the quality of care.
Tip #2: Talk to Your Boss About Growing Your Career
Many veterinary technicians admittedly feel like they’re being underutilized or stagnant in their career, and they want to be used more or feel more fulfilled. Having a talk with your practice owner or medical director might be necessary in receiving the support you need to further your career and specialize in something you’re interested in.
Much of that learning you’ll be doing on your own time with things like reading books and going over case studies, but your practice can provide you with textbooks and essential CE opportunities.
Tip #2: Avoid Burnout by Taking a Moment to Reset
This profession is naturally difficult and draining, but there are things you can do to unwind and refocus yourself every once in a while (or more often than that—let’s be honest). While there are plenty of yoga classes and meditation podcasts out there that are wonderful, McNerny shares something that works for her—taking a few seconds to reset with a really cute patient. Even if it’s only a few seconds, take a break from the tough case you’re working on, go see an adorable patient that is doing well, and let yourself relax for a bit.
This all may seem daunting, but by putting in the effort to raise the standard of care, you’ll be happier and more fulfilled in the long run as you find growth and longevity in your career. Now go get ’em!
Check out the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds Symposium this year and get information on how to register.
Learn more about veterinary anesthesia by watching the Quick Cup of Knowledge video “Veterinary Anesthesia.”
And speaking of avoiding burnout, who wouldn’t want to do CE while on an Alaskan cruise? Get more information about Destination CE—Alaska.
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