Change brings challenges , but also opportunities
Although nerve-wracking initially , changing jobs was one of the best things I could have done for myself . I moved to another local first opinion multi-branch practice that operates its own out-of-hours service . Here , I realised there was huge scope for career progression , which is the perfect opportunity for any newly qualified RVN . I am lucky enough to enjoy all aspects of nursing and my current role incorporates lots of different elements of the profession , which I love .
Although my role may sound like sunshine and rainbows , we all know that the veterinary profession can be extremely tough . Often , the pressures of working in a fast-paced environment mean we neglect our own wellbeing . Being a new graduate can be difficult in itself , particularly the transition from study to full-time work . The combined emotional burden of all these factors can , and often does , take its toll .
If you are struggling , it ' s important to remember that you are not alone ; many others will be feeling the same way . I have certainly had my fair share of challenges , so I want to share some of the truths about being a new graduate in practice , and some strategies to help you make the most of this stage in your career .
Competence develops over time and at our own pace
‘ Competence ’ is a term most of us have heard at some point in our careers , either during training or in the workplace . It can be difficult to define and is often interpreted in different ways . The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ( RCVS ) has suggested that to be deemed competent in a job , a person must have the ability to perform roles and tasks to an expected standard [ 1 ] . It is recognised that the expected standard of competence can vary with experience , responsibility , and new developments in the industry .
Previously , I had associated qualifying as an RVN with being fully competent from Day 1 , and I put pressure on myself to meet this standard . Yet , in reality , this was impossible , as the only thing that changed on the day I qualified was my title , from SVN to RVN . I have since learned that I was the only person placing this unrealistic expectation of competence on my shoulders .
I now realise that professional competence does not follow a fixed time-scale . We are all different and every day we all gain new information and have unique experiences , so we shouldn ' t compare our journey to that of others . Instead , we could focus on developing our own competence , at our own pace , by being open to new experiences and being unafraid to ask questions when we ' re unsure . Remember : everyone starts somewhere .
Imposter syndrome is common but can be overcome
Imposter syndrome can be defined as the tendency to doubt one ' s abilities , despite positive evidence to the contrary [ 2 ] . I hadn ' t personally experienced imposter syndrome until I qualified as an RVN , and I have since discovered that it is common in new graduates . When starting a new role , we tend to think that everyone around us is fully competent and confident , and we imagine that they are expecting the same of us . Because we don ' t yet feel very competent or confident , it is common to think we ' re deceiving others about our abilities – in other words , we think we are an imposter . This is , of course , not the case , but it is easy to see how and why it happens so often in new graduates .
As an SVN , although I had put a lot of hard work into my studies and my role , I felt it was normal to still have worries or queries . However , when I qualified , I put an overwhelming amount of pressure on myself to squash these feelings and , as a result , they undermined my confidence . Instead of deriving confidence from my accomplishments , these insecurities , although perfectly normal , meant that I attributed my progress and achievements to luck rather than my own abilities : I thought that getting good grades at university was luck , passing each exam was luck , finishing my degree was luck ; even now , I can still find myself attributing being a good nurse to luck .
These are classic signs of imposter syndrome , but the reality is different : I have worked hard to get where I am , I ' m growing in confidence and competence each day , and I am certainly not an imposter . If you recognise signs of imposter syndrome in yourself , I would encourage you to remember how far you have come : you haven ' t got this far with luck , you ' ve done it through your own hard work and achievements . Rather than doubting your position , draw confidence from it : you ' ve earned it !
If you don ' t believe me , try writing a list of all your accomplishments , great and small . Sometimes seeing them written down can make them feel more real , which can be especially helpful in more difficult times , such as when we have a bad day or our confidence is knocked , and the dreaded imposter syndrome kicks in !
In difficult times , our mind can be our own worst enemy and we can distort positives into negatives . Again , writing a list can help – this time , a list of negative thoughts or relevant ‘ facts ’ ( as you interpret them ) along with evidence to support them . Writing them down makes them easier to analyse in a more realistic way , and often it becomes clear that there is little , if any , evidence to support the negative thoughts . This process can help you keep a sense of perspective , so you can address what went wrong and what could be improved next time , without being unnecessarily hard on yourself .
10 Veterinary Nursing Journal