Settling Down
A couple of years ago, when I started doing relief work, I had a way that I explained it to myself. I had been in a couple of bad relationships, employee/employer-wise, and I wasn't ready to be a one-practice girl at that point. I had been burned, and I needed to date around and think about myself, and I didn't want to commit to a steady relationship.
And that's exactly what I did. I love being a relief vet - I get to set my own hours, I make my own schedule, I get paid pretty darn well, and I take as many days off as I like. I don't have to deal with office politics. If I don't like a clinic, I just don't go back. I don't have to worry about scheduling or team issues, and each clinic I go to has something new to teach me - I feel like the Johny Appleseed of veterinary tips and tricks.
However, relief work also means getting tossed in the deep end almost every day. I hop into cases midstream, and when I do start a case I rarely get to find out how it ends - and with my personality and mindset, this means that I spend a lot of time worrying about possible mistakes, with no release or reassurance. I sometimes wind up working in non-ideal settings, with below-standard supplies, staff, and equipment, and to at least some extent I have to tailor my style of medicine to match the practice and the clientele instead of working at my own level. I'm almost always working alone. And, most of all, I miss having *my* patients, and *my* clients. I miss seeing them grow up, and I miss being Dr. Becky, and I miss the cards and cookies.
This was all just an intellectual exercise, though, since I figured I'd never really find just the right practice. Until, of course, I did. I've been filling in at one particular practice for about 6 months now, once a week, and I've fallen in love with it. The other doctor there practices good medicine, the support staff are wonderful, the clients are sweet, the facilities are good, and we mesh incredibly well as a team. It's not perfect, which I don't mind - I've learned not to trust perfection - but I know where their rough spots are, and they know where mine are, and they've asked me repeatedly to join their team. And, finally, I've said yes.
So, as of next month, I'm going to be working full-time at one practice again. It's a risk; it may not work out, and it'll mean making less money and working more hours. But I'm looking forward to following through on my own cases, and knowing each day that I'm going to a clinic I like, and being part of a team again. And, to be honest, if it doesn't work I know I have a big, comfy safety net to fall into.
I'm excited, and scared, and I can't wait to start.
And that's exactly what I did. I love being a relief vet - I get to set my own hours, I make my own schedule, I get paid pretty darn well, and I take as many days off as I like. I don't have to deal with office politics. If I don't like a clinic, I just don't go back. I don't have to worry about scheduling or team issues, and each clinic I go to has something new to teach me - I feel like the Johny Appleseed of veterinary tips and tricks.
However, relief work also means getting tossed in the deep end almost every day. I hop into cases midstream, and when I do start a case I rarely get to find out how it ends - and with my personality and mindset, this means that I spend a lot of time worrying about possible mistakes, with no release or reassurance. I sometimes wind up working in non-ideal settings, with below-standard supplies, staff, and equipment, and to at least some extent I have to tailor my style of medicine to match the practice and the clientele instead of working at my own level. I'm almost always working alone. And, most of all, I miss having *my* patients, and *my* clients. I miss seeing them grow up, and I miss being Dr. Becky, and I miss the cards and cookies.
This was all just an intellectual exercise, though, since I figured I'd never really find just the right practice. Until, of course, I did. I've been filling in at one particular practice for about 6 months now, once a week, and I've fallen in love with it. The other doctor there practices good medicine, the support staff are wonderful, the clients are sweet, the facilities are good, and we mesh incredibly well as a team. It's not perfect, which I don't mind - I've learned not to trust perfection - but I know where their rough spots are, and they know where mine are, and they've asked me repeatedly to join their team. And, finally, I've said yes.
So, as of next month, I'm going to be working full-time at one practice again. It's a risk; it may not work out, and it'll mean making less money and working more hours. But I'm looking forward to following through on my own cases, and knowing each day that I'm going to a clinic I like, and being part of a team again. And, to be honest, if it doesn't work I know I have a big, comfy safety net to fall into.
I'm excited, and scared, and I can't wait to start.