Introducing Dr. V

It's been a while since my last post... I wanted to have some updates on what clinics were like, but time really got away from me last year in clinics. Needless to say though, clinical year was awesome. The transition from thinking like a student to thinking like a doctor is so subtle that you don't even notice it happening, until you look back and realize how far you've come. And not just in medical knowledge or skills, but in confidence as well. But then you graduate, and suddenly you realize that everything is completely on you. Now you are the only line of defense for a sick animal, and their health is completely dependent on you. It's terrifying. What if you miss something? What if you forget something? How should you decide which drug is best, or what dose to give?

Those questions were plaguing me all summer. I was so excited but also so anxious to start my new job as an associate veterinarian. I kept worrying that I wouldn't be able to remember all the information I'd crammed into my brain the past 4 years. I found myself going over drug doses and side effects, common dermatology problems, and vaccination schedules. In my typical student mindset, studying helped alleviate some of the nerves.

My first day of work is such a blur. I didn't do much of actual doctoring, with all the paperwork and meetings I had to take care of. I was actually disappointed that I didn't get to do more. Then I started seeing some simple appointments- vaccinations, boarding check ins, things that didn't require much of a work up. I helped out the techs with catheter placements, blood draws and anesthesia to refresh my memory of all of those critical skills. And then it felt like I went from one day doing only vaccinations to suddenly having patients. And with each exam, I started feeling more and more confident. Of course I could do this. I survived 8 years of school and 4 years of not having a social life for this. I know how to do this.

Now, I love my job. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I never know what the day is going to bring me. I've seen some of the typical things in dogs and cats- ear infections, cranial cruciate disease, skin problems, and vomiting. I've seen birds for nail trims, beak trims and wing times. I've seen rabbits, guinea pigs, bearded dragons, and ball pythons. I helped with my first every rabbit neuter, and performed my first dog neuter and spay as a licensed veterinarian. I performed my first dental extraction. Once I got going, I was really going. Now I have my rhythm down and I feel unstoppable.

There's still a lot I don't know, and a lot I'm unsure of. Sometimes I feel really overwhelmed, with no idea what to do. But other times I feel like I know exactly what to do, and I always feel so gratified when the client is grateful for my help. It really makes my day when a client tells me how thankful they are for my help. I feel like I'm really doing something right when clients tell me they'll ask for me next time they come in to the clinic. I feel like all of those years I put into getting where I am are starting to pay off, and I've only been working for 2 weeks. I can't wait to see what else the future holds!