🎓 New Vets, Nurses & Techs – It’s Actually Going to Be OK

If you’ve recently started your first role in practice, you’re probably experiencing a mix of emotions that swing between “I’ve got this!” and “What am I doing?” several times a day. And you know what? That’s completely normal.

We reached out to professionals who started their careers within the last year – vets, nurses, and techs who understand exactly what you’re feeling right now. They helped us identify the seven most common challenges that every new graduate faces, from managing client expectations to handling team dynamics. More importantly, they shared what really works when it comes to dealing with these situations. Their practical advice and real experiences show that not only are you not alone in what you’re feeling – you’re exactly where you need to be on your path to becoming a confident professional…

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Imposter Syndrome: You’re Not Alone

That nagging feeling that you don’t belong? The one that hits when a client trusts you with their pet’s care, or when your colleagues ask for your opinion? Whether you’re a new veterinarian, technician, or nurse, almost every graduate experiences these doubts in their first months of practice.

Despite your qualifications and training, you might find yourself double and triple-checking every decision or procedure, wondering if you’re “qualified enough” to be doing your job. The reality? Those feelings don’t mean you’re underqualified – they actually show how much you care about doing things right.

What helps:

• Build a support network of other recent graduates who understand exactly what you’re experiencing
• Keep a folder of positive feedback from clients and colleagues – review it on tough days
• Accept that asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s how experienced professionals got where they are
• Remember that everyone started somewhere – even that confident senior colleague was once in your shoes
• Focus on what you do know rather than what you don’t

Sometimes I look at my nurse certification on the wall when I’m having a wobble. I earned this. We all did. Still doesn’t stop me asking the other techs to check my monitoring readings though!, Marcus T, Registered Veterinary Nurse, United Kingdom

Time Management & Clinical Efficiency

Every new graduate knows that sinking feeling when you check the appointment schedule and realize you’re already running 30 minutes behind – and it’s only 10 AM. Managing your time efficiently while providing quality care isn’t just challenging – it’s an art that takes practice to master.

The pressure to maintain appointment schedules while being thorough can feel overwhelming at first. Maybe you’re spending too long writing notes, struggling to handle multiple cases at once, or finding it difficult to wrap up conversations with chatty clients. These are skills that develop with experience, not ones you walk into on day one.

What helps:

• Create templates for common conditions to streamline your note-taking
• Practice “chunk scheduling” – allocating specific times for notes, calls, and follow-ups
• Learn to recognize when tasks can be delegated to support staff
• Be upfront with clients about time constraints – most appreciate the honesty
• Ask experienced colleagues about their time-saving techniques and systems

My first week, I spent 45 minutes on a routine vaccination because I was so worried about missing something. Now I know it’s about finding that sweet spot between being thorough and being efficient. The confidence comes with time, Rachel K, Veterinary Nurse, Australia

Navigating Team Dynamics

Walking into an established team as the “new graduate” can feel like joining a family dinner where everyone already knows the inside jokes. Particularly when working with techs and nurses who have years of experience, finding your place in the team while establishing professional respect takes finesse.

Being new doesn’t mean you need to be timid, but there’s wisdom in recognizing and learning from the experience around you. The most successful new graduates find ways to contribute their fresh knowledge while respecting the practical expertise of their colleagues.

What helps:

• Learn from experienced staff – they often know the clients and patients best
• Share new techniques you’ve learned, but timing and approach matter
• Take time to understand clinic protocols before suggesting changes
• Build relationships during breaks – the break room is where many teams really bond
• Remember that everyone has different strengths – even senior staff will have things to learn from you

The techs in my clinic have 20+ years of experience between them. Once I stopped trying to prove myself and started listening to their advice, everything clicked into place, Maya D, Veterinarian, USA

Client Communication Challenges

No amount of academic training fully prepares you for explaining a complex diagnosis to a worried pet owner while their dog is barking and their toddler is crying. Effective client communication combines medical knowledge, empathy, and sometimes, the ability to think on your feet.

The challenge isn’t just about explaining medical concepts – it’s about handling emotional situations, managing expectations, and building trust, all while staying within appointment times and clinic policies.

What helps:

• Practice explaining common conditions in simple terms
• Keep a collection of helpful analogies for complex concepts
• Learn to read body language and emotional cues
• Have clear strategies for handling financial discussions
• Document everything, especially when dealing with difficult situations

I used to get so nervous about telling clients the cost of treatment. A senior RVN taught me to focus on explaining value rather than apologizing for prices, Sarah M, Veterinary Nurse, United Kingdom

Financial Management

While you’re focusing on caring for patients, it’s easy to put your own financial health on the back burner. Between student loan repayments, professional insurance, and continuing education costs, managing money as a new graduate requires its own kind of expertise.

Understanding your worth, managing debt, and planning for the future might not be what you dreamed about in vet school, but it’s crucial for a sustainable career in veterinary medicine.

What helps:

• Understand your employment contract thoroughly
• Create a realistic budget that includes loan repayments
• Research industry salary standards for your role and region
• Consider income protection insurance
• Start retirement planning early, even if contributions are small
• Keep track of CE expenses and tax deductions

Nobody talks about how challenging it is to balance living costs with loan repayments. Finding a clinic that offered CE allowance and good benefits made such a difference, James P, Veterinarian, Australia

Work-Life Balance Reality

That moment when you’re about to leave after a long shift and an emergency walks in. The guilt of taking a sick day. The challenge of maintaining relationships when you’re mentally and physically exhausted. Finding balance isn’t just about time management – it’s about setting sustainable boundaries while providing excellent care.

The reality of veterinary work often differs from our expectations, and learning to protect your wellbeing while meeting professional obligations is crucial for long-term success.

What helps:

• Learn to say no without feeling guilty
• Create clear boundaries between work and personal time
• Build a support network outside of work
• Schedule regular activities that help you decompress
• Use your vacation days – they exist for a reason
• Recognize the signs of burnout early

I felt bad leaving “on time” until my mentor told me that setting boundaries actually makes you a better practitioner. Now I protect my off-duty time fiercely, Keira B, Veterinarian, USA

Dealing with Mistakes and Learning from Them

It’s not a question of if you’ll make a mistake, but when. Whether it’s a minor oversight or something more significant, how you handle these moments shapes both your professional growth and your resilience in practice.

The key isn’t to avoid mistakes entirely – that’s impossible. Instead, focus on creating an environment where mistakes can be acknowledged, learned from, and used to improve patient care.

What helps:

• Develop a personal system for double-checking critical tasks
• Document incidents thoroughly and objectively
• Share learnings with colleagues when appropriate
• Focus on solutions rather than self-blame
• Seek support when needed – you’re not alone
• Remember that experienced professionals still make mistakes too

My biggest mistake taught me two things – how supportive my team really was, and that being open about errors helps everyone learn, Tom R, ECC Intern, USA

Stepping Into Your Professional Role…

The first months in practice mark the beginning of a rewarding professional life – even if it doesn’t always feel that way in the moment. Whether you’re a veterinarian interpreting lab results, a nurse monitoring critical patients, or a technician assisting in complex procedures, remember that feeling uncertain doesn’t mean you’re unprepared.

Every experienced professional in your clinic once stood exactly where you are now. They felt the same doubts, faced similar challenges, and gradually built their confidence through practice, persistence, and support from their colleagues. What sets successful graduates apart isn’t the absence of these challenges – it’s how they handle them.

Take pride in your achievements while remaining open to learning. Ask questions when needed, offer help when you can, and remember that every day in practice builds your expertise. Most importantly, be patient with yourself. The confidence and competence you admire in senior staff wasn’t built overnight – it developed one patient, one procedure, and one day at a time.

Your education provided the foundation, but these early months in practice are where you’ll truly develop into the professional you want to become. Trust your training, lean on your team, and keep moving forward – you’ve got this!

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