Is it just me, or are things a little…tense?
Lately, my appointment schedule is no longer a pleasant rotation of wellness visits and minor concerns, punctuated by the occasional puppy or kitten. Instead, it’s a stream of truly sick and debilitated pets—the kind of pets who needed me weeks or months ago.
And instead of the equally pleasant mix of client personalities, pet parent after pet parent seems burdened, on edge, and eager to vent about non-veterinary issues.
Whether this change is driven by rising social, political, or economic challenges, or something else altogether, adapting (but not necessarily conforming) to the inevitable ebb and flow of external influences—and their impact on the workplace—is key to a happy and sustainable veterinary career.
Focusing on what you can control
As new veterinarians, we focus on managing clinical challenges, like interpreting abnormal blood work, making a difficult diagnosis, or effectively communicating with clients. Besides worrying about how economic changes may affect our job security, we don’t typically consider how matters outside the clinic can impact every aspect of our routine.
That is, until they do.
Building your toolbox of strategies now can help you better navigate these challenges when they arise, helping you feel more grounded, focused on your work, and less impressionable to things outside your control.
And if you’re already in the midst of them, as I am right now, these tips can help you stay flexible—not frazzled—until things find their new steady state.
5 strategies for adapting to change: Going with the flow (while staying true to who you are)
Veterinary medicine is said to be a recession-proof industry, but if today’s world tells us anything, it’s that nothing is certain. Expecting and accommodating unexpected changes in everything from your workload to practice culture can help you be more resilient and continue to view this profession as sustaining, rather than draining.
#1: Let your why lead the way
Remembering what drew you to veterinary medicine helps you align your actions and mindset for greater satisfaction and reward, even (or especially) in troubled times. When you’re operating from a place of purpose and intention, you are less likely to be thrown off course by upset clients, bad days, tension-filled climates, and general upheaval. Your why isn’t an invincibility shield, but it can help protect you from going off course.
Don’t forget to periodically revisit your why. Take time to reorient and use your why as a guiding light for everything from career decisions to how you present yourself to the world and interact with those around you.
#2: Clarify your values
Similar to your why, your values are like fixed coordinates that keep you grounded, even when everything feels destabilizing. Clearly defining your values and keeping them top of mind can help you feel anchored amid external pressures, shifting dynamics, and changing expectations. It can also foster resilience and help you resist reactive behavior, giving you a sense of control, knowing that even in turbulent times, you are living your truth.
#3: Prioritize empathy
Remembering that most tension and unrest are outward manifestations of fear and confusion can help us lead with empathy. Seeing our clients and colleagues as fellow human beings who are reacting to the weight of known or unknown pressures, rather than labeling them as “difficult” or bullies, allows us to be better caregivers, colleagues, and human beings. It’s also a great way to diffuse tension, redirect our energy to the patient, and foster meaningful connections—when we all need them the most.
#4: Cultivate—and utilize—a network of support
Your support system plays a vital role in many aspects of professional life and especially during challenging times.
Build a strong and beneficial community by seeking out a range of perspectives and experience levels. In addition to friends and family, tap into the wisdom of mentors, colleagues, industry role models, and vet school peers. Whether you need practical advice, professional guidance, or emotional encouragement, having a trusted support system can help you feel connected, empowered, and safe.
No network? No problem! Start connecting with other positive-minded professionals in the FREE Ready, Vet, Go community.
#5: Disconnect
That’s right—as important as it is to build connections, you also need to prioritize disconnection!
Stepping away from the constant flow of negative talk, sensationalized media, and the stress of doom-scrolling allows you to break free from negativity and external pressures. By creating space—whether through a non-work-related hobby, a self-care routine, or quality time with loved ones—you allow yourself to release stress, reflect on what matters, and restore your emotional energy.
This step is increasingly difficult, but crucial for recharging your mental and emotional bandwidth, helping you return to work with a clearer mind, stronger resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Maintaining your baseline in a time of flux
As veterinarians, we’re responsible for supporting quality of life in what can feel like an increasingly inhospitable world.
Without the appropriate strategies to adapt during times of social, political, or economic unrest, professionals in our already emotional line of work are vulnerable to decreased satisfaction, burnout, and negative changes to their mental health.
By centering efforts on internal drivers and well-defined values, leading with empathy, seeking community, and making time to step away, veterinary professionals can find strength and composure amid the chaos, enabling us to stay steady for both ourselves and those we serve.
Ready, Vet, Go Veterinary Mentorship is an innovative online program and community that helps new and early career veterinarians build confidence, gain independence, and experience greater joy. Visit our FAQ page to learn more about what we offer or get in touch with our team.