Align-ju FEATURE
Seeking support and sharing feelings makes you stronger
Being a newly qualified RVN feels amazing , but sometimes it can also feel daunting and isolating , so it can be helpful to have the support of a family member , partner , friend or colleague . You will probably find it particularly helpful to stay in touch with other people from your degree course , as the chances are they will be in a similar situation and facing similar feelings to you . You might also find social media connections and groups helpful and supportive – lots of veterinary professionals share their journeys online .
If you don ' t feel able to reach out to people around you and are struggling with your mental health , please consider getting in touch with a relevant charity or mental health professional . Veterinary nurse Sarah Thynne provides lots of useful mental health resources in her article in this issue of VNJ ( see the table on page 8 ), including contact details and online sources of support and information .
It can feel safer and easier to keep our feelings to ourselves , but , when we do reach out , we often find that people have experienced similar feelings to us and are more than happy to offer their support . Sharing and discussing our feelings can therefore be helpful to everyone involved .
A supportive workplace can also make a huge difference to your confidence , competence and wellbeing . If you don ' t feel supported by your workplace , the first step is to communicate with your superior . If , having spoken to your superior , your needs are still not being met by your current workplace , remember that there are plenty of other veterinary practices , which may be much more supportive . Put your own needs first and consider a career move . You are a newly qualified RVN so there are lots of opportunities open to you , all over the world – don ' t be afraid to explore them !
Don ' t forget to relax and enjoy your role as a veterinary nurse
Life as a newly qualified RVN can be stressful , busy and tiring . To make the most of your career – and your life beyond practice – you ' ll need to take care of your wellbeing . Allow yourself time to rest outside work now that you ' ve finished your studies and consider taking up a new hobby or dedicating some quality time to self-care . Prioritise yourself . Finding your inner calm and confidence will help you cope with the demands of your career and combat imposter syndrome . The role of an RVN is extremely rewarding , but it also comes with its fair share of heartbreak . On difficult days , it is more important than ever to set aside time to reflect and rest .
It ' s OK to feel apprehensive about what the future holds but , equally , it ' s OK to feel completely fine , confident and excited . Whatever you are feeling , you won ' t be alone . Take care of yourself , physically and mentally , and remember to reach out to others for support . Most importantly , make the most of the uniquely special moments and unbeatable highs that come with the role . All jobs have their ups and downs , but few are as rewarding as being a veterinary nurse .
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Emma Broughton for inspiring me to follow my heart and write this article .
REFERENCES
1 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons . Part A : RCVS Day One Competences for Veterinary Nurses . Available from : https :// www . rcvs . org . uk / setting-standards / accrediting-primary-qualifications / accrediting-veterinary-nursing-qualifications / rcvs-day-onecompetences-skills-and-professional-behaviours-for / part-a-rcvs-dayone-competences-for-veterinary-nurses [ Accessed 14 March 2023 ].
2 Kogan LR , Schoenfeld-Tacher R , Hellyer P , Grigg EK , Kramer E . Veterinarians and impostor syndrome : an exploratory study . Veterinary Record . 2020 ; 187 ( 7 ): 271 . Available from : https :// doi . org / 10.1136 / vr . 105914 .
Volume 38 ( 6 ) • December 2023
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